Archives for December 2013

‘You know, we could have extended a little more at that. So, again, obviously it is disappointing to come in here and not turn the ball over and really not make a play when you need to. And I think that’s how I feel about that game without going back and really looking at it in more detail.’

‘We tried to get the running game going a little bit and sometimes we didn’t quite convert on third down and that was the big difference. We converted on third down on that first field goal drive and that’s one thing that we kind of got corrected in the second half.’

‘”Same old story,” Bills safety Jairus Byrd said, a look of agitated helplessness on his face. “It just gets old.”‘

‘The Bills have never won in Gillette Stadium, which opened in the 2002 season. They’ve lost all 11 games they’ve played here, in every way imaginable. The stadium named for a razor has been the site of some of the most lacerating defeats in franchise history.’

‘Patriots 30, Bills 22.’

‘”It would be really, really good,” said safety Jairus Byrd, one of the players who could be playing his last game as a Bill. “Talking about building for the future, that is a big step in the right direction. I think that’s what we need to do. It shows (the Patriots) that we’re heading in the right direction and that we’re putting things together. A lot of our games, you look back and we would kick ourselves over some of the losses we’ve had (to New England).”‘

‘Patriots 30, Bills 21.’

‘New England 28, Buffalo 20.’

Normal rules don’t apply to Brandon Spikes (Boston Globe)

Patriots’ keys to a victory vs. Bills (Boston Globe)

NFL changes aren’t going away (Boston Globe)

Expect an all-out effort from Pats (Boston Herald)

Patriots prove to be master hurdlers (Boston Herald)

Paying it forward (Boston Herald)

Source: No return date for McCourty (Boston Herald)

Pats v. Bills: Five things to watch today (Boston Herald)

Patriots: Looking back and ahead (Boston Herald)

Pats trying to preserve a number of divisional streaks vs. Bills (Providence Journal)

Reticent McCourty doubtful vs. Bills (Providence Journal)

Keys to the game: Patriots vs. Bills (Providence Journal)

Pats fill roster with two defensive backs (Providence Journal)

Up for the challenge (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Patriots can buy second-round playoff ticket (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

When Bill Belichick speaks, it gets people talking (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

What to watch for when the Patriots host the Bills (Springfield Republican)

Patriots promote Justin Green, Kanorris Davis to 53-man roster (Springfield Republican)

Bills aim to play the part of spoilers vs. Patriots (Brockton Enterprise)

Sizing ’em Up: Patriots vs. Bills (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Once again, Pats have goal in sight (Manchester Union Leader)

The Standard-Times’ Patriots Picks (New Bedford Standard Times)

What You Need to Know About Today’s Patriots’ Game vs. the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough Patch)

Dont’a Hightower, LeGarrette Blount String Together Impressive Performances and Other Patriots Thoughts (NESN)

Duron Harmon’s Experience in Dime for Patriots, Playing With Steve Gregory Will Help Rookie Fill in for Devin McCourty (NESN)

Kanorris Davis, Justin Green Signed to Patriots’ 53-Man Roster to Replace Marquice Cole, Austin Collie (NESN)

Curran’s Patriots-Bills preview (CSN New England)

Patriots sign Kanorris Davis, Justin Green (AP)

Patriots-Bills Week 17 Predictions (WBZ-TV)

Ten things you have to know about Bills-Patriots (WEEI-FM)

Patriots sign Kanorris Davis, Justin Green off practice squad to 53-man roster (WEEI-FM)

Patriots sign two to active roster from the practice squad (Patriots.com)

‘”That’s always the toughest part,” Jackson said in a phone interview Friday. “We’re all tremendous competitors, and when you’re competing, you want to win. When you’re not winning, it’s tough to deal with. Guys are showing up. We’re still fighting. We’re trying to get this thing turned around. We’ve got a two-game winning streak right now, and hopefully we can build on that.”‘

‘Even with all the injuries to the New England Patriots and ways for the Bills to exploit them in that capacity, it comes down to one simple factor. New England still has Tom Brady, and the Bills have never won in Gillette Stadium. Had the Bills fielded a roster with a quarterback that could keep up with Brady, they might stand a chance. But with Thad Lewis lining up behind center and with the Patriots needing a win for a potential first-round bye or even home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, one can’t expect that team to lay an egg in this spot.’

‘It’s the first time since 2009 that the Bills have had any players voted directly into the league’s all-star game. Byrd, Kyle Williams and C.J. Spiller all played in the game last year, but they were added to the roster as injury replacements.’

‘”Very fortunate just to be able to start one game in the NFL, but for it to be my fifth game here with the Bills and a great organization, I feel very fortunate. I’m excited about the challenge.”‘

‘Manuel thus finishes with a record of 4-6 as a starter, completing 180 of 306 passes (58.8 percent) for 1,972 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a passer rating of 77.7.’

‘n 10 games (really 9 1/2 after leaving the Cleveland game early), Manuel finished 33rd of 38 qualified quarterbacks in yards per game (197) and yards per attempt (6.44). He was 30th in quarterback rating (77.7) and 28th in completion percentage (58.8). His home-road splits were terrible, too. Going by QB rating, Manuel’s 91.8 at home would’ve been good for 10th best, while his 64.4 on the road would rank last in the NFL.’