Archives for December 2013

‘”I tried to take it in the best I could,” Moorman said. His jaw clenched. His lower lip trembled a bit. “With everything that happened last year and not being able to soak in my last one, then to be able to come back and be in the locker room with these guys, it’s tough.”‘

‘Miami called 21 passes and nine runs in the first half. Why the imbalance? Pass protection is the biggest weakness on the Miami offense, and pass rush is the best strength of the Bills’ defense. Furthermore, the Dolphins have a good defense and were facing a backup quarterback. It’s not like Miami had to worry about the Bills’ offense putting up 30 points.’

‘The Bills and DNC Sportservice allow non-profit groups to earn money by working at concession stands. The Orchard Park Senior Council, the non-profit group formed to raise money for the new center, started working the stand last year.’

‘Kyle Williams and Nickell Robey led Buffalo’s sack parade with two each with Da’Norris Searcy, Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes adding one apiece. The Bills’ pass rush was so dominant that it made it impossible for Tannehill to mount a single drive of any consequence. Tannehill was 10 of 21 for 82 yards before injuring his knee on a sack by Kyle Williams early in the fourth quarter.’

‘The last time the Bills played the Dolphins in October at Miami, Robey had a pick six in the first minute off Tannehill. This from a little mighty mite who stands 5-foot-7, weighs 167 pounds, and was not drafted by any of the 32 NFL teams.’

‘On Sunday, the Bills came after Tannehill like he was a department store sale item and they were Black Friday shoppers. There was the Williams boys manhandling their opponents and collapsing the pocket. There came Da’Norris Searcy and Nickell Robey on safety and corner blitzes so well timed that you’d have sworn Rolex called the play, not defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.’

‘This is why you need two good backs, and the Bills may have the best duo in the league, at least production-wise.’

‘Nothing to play for? Don’t tell coach Doug Marrone whose team put a big hurt into Miami’s playoff hopes with a dominant performance and now has a chance to finish the season on a three-game win streak next week at New England. Buffalo hadn’t been home since Nov. 17 and gave 54,000 loyal fans sitting in the cold and rain a lot to cheer for.’

‘”I’m very proud of this team,” Bills’ head coach Doug Marrone said. “They worked hard all week again. We talked to them about (getting) two wins in a row, which we haven’t done (this season). I’m excited about that. We have to finish strong.”‘

‘The Bills will get better on the road with time, especially if Manuel and Marrone work out. Until then, they’re likely to be in a battle to make the playoffs each season, giving each game extra meaning. It’s also a further indictment of a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 14 seasons selling one extra-important home game a season to Toronto in an effort to make a few bucks.’

‘Effort, effort, effort. The Bills had not won back-to-back games all season and they accomplished that feat in dominating fashion. The Bills were the better-coached team on Sunday and the end result reflects a great game plan by Marrone and his staff. A lot to feel good about the team moving forward, regardless of what happens next week in Foxborough.’

‘However, most of the praise will go to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He didn’t back off against Miami and continued to bring the pressure. That made life miserable for Ryan Tannehill, who was sacked seven times. The defense is a much different unit than it was in past years. Why? Pettine. Sure, the Bills have added some pieces over the past couple of years. But it’s Pettine’s scheme that has made this defense a much better unit.’

‘”It’s a nice consolation, I guess, to where we are,” said Williams, a defensive tackle. “You can see (Sunday) what we could potentially do on defense with some really good players. Early in the game, guys were winning battles up front on a base rush and once Miami started protecting against that, we started calling more outside blitzes. It was a good combination of both.”‘

‘”You suffer the consequences, roll along with them and do the best you can,” Dareus said. “It feels like a win to me and we needed it bad. We pulled it out and I’m so excited. Coach (Doug Marrone) is excited. We respect each other, me and Marrone. We don’t have any differences and I don’t have anything against the team. Just things happen and you have to deal with it and move forward.”‘