Archives for December 2013

‘Aside from the opportunity to win two straight for the first time since Weeks 2-3 of last season, Buffalo can put a dent in the Dolphins’ playoff aspirations. “If we can’t be in, we don’t want them to be in,” center Eric Wood said. “There’s a lot of positive things that could come out of winning this week. We’re going to go out swinging.”‘

‘Johnson has not practiced all week following the unexpected death of his mother, and he will not be with the team this weekend.’

‘”Aaron WIlliams loves football,” Marrone said after practice. “For that kid to be hurting… he has, I don’t know if anyone has had that injury. I have. It’s probably one of the most painful.”‘

‘”I’m reluctant to make anything of it, other than it’s some bad luck for him. I think it’s too early to tag him ‘injury prone.’ I’m sure that it’s understandably going to be a question when you have that many injuries this close together, but it may just be that that’s this year and he does fine going forward.”‘

‘”I know this: the fans that are there, we need ’em. We have played much better at home,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said. “I’d like to think it’s because of the coaching and all the other things, but never lose sight that the fans have done an outstanding job and have been part of the reason why we have played better there.”‘

‘Branch has exactly zero sacks. But part of the reason why Williams has 12, defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus have each reached new career highs with 8.5 and 7.5, respectively, and linebacker Jerry Hughes has more than twice as many sacks (9) in his first year with the Bills than he did in three years with the Colts (4), is Branch’s play.’

Miami Dolphins’ Tyson Clabo gets second chance at Bills (Miami Herald)

Miami Dolphins can make a playoff run (Miami Herald)

Will Dolphins’ Jeff Ireland ever get props he deserves? (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Spike in output has Miami Dolphins’ Mike Wallace finally feeling productive (Palm Beach Post)

Versatility Has Become Thigpen’s Calling Card (MiamiDolphins.com)

Shula A Big Fan Of Philbin; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins Make Roster Moves (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins’ To-Do List Against The Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Thursday Injury Update (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘As of Wednesday, the Bills had 16,000 tickets available.’

‘Dolphins 20, Bills 7.’

‘Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has not suffered a multi-interception game since Week 8 and as thrown eight touchdowns during the team’s three-game winning streak. He’s playing controlled football and picking his spots, and Miami takes just enough advantage of Buffalo’s over-aggressive run defense.’

‘”The game is a chess match, even if they’re in a defense that counters this play, I can get us in the right situation now, where I couldn’t have done that the first game being my second start and things like that,” he said. “The playbook still was open, but just missing little things.”‘

‘Despite another day of practice time missed, head coach Doug Marrone didn’t become more pessimistic at the safety’s chances to play.’

‘Buffalo was able to pull out a tight road win over Miami back in Week 7 in part because they were able to handily win the third down conversion battle. The Bills with Thad Lewis at quarterback converted a season-high 47.4 percent of their third downs (9-19). Meanwhile Buffalo’s defense held the Dolphins to just a 23 percent conversion rate on third down opportunities (3-13).’

‘Spero Dedes (play by play), Steve Beuerlein (analyst)’

‘As part of the Salute to High School Football, the Buffalo Bills will honor the 11 recipients of the Buffalo Bills/New York National Guard High School Coach of the Week Award at midfield prior to kickoff, including the announcement of the 2013 Buffalo Bills/New York National Guard High School Coach of the Year. Each winning coach received $2,000 for his football program from the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation and the New York National Guard, with the Coach of the Year receiving $4,000.’