Archives for August 28, 2014

‘LB Jimmy Gaines – The Buffalo native got off to a solid start in training camp, but will need to finish strong Thursday night to make a compelling case for a spot on the final roster. After leading the team in tackles against Carolina earlier in the preseason, Gaines will need a similar effort against Detroit.’

‘With nine receivers still on the roster, Naaman Roosevelt, T.J. Graham, Marcus Easley and Caleb Holley could all be battling for one spot on the roster. Graham and Easley appear to be the front-runners heading into the final preseason game, but it’s tough to say which receiver the Bills will keep. Marrone acknowledged the competition was still open earlier this week.’

‘Bills coach Doug Marrone has said he plans to play some of the starters on Thursday night but wouldn’t say for how long. Bills fans will likely be in for a heavy does of newly signed quarterback Jordan Palmer along with other Bills who could be fighting for spots on the 53-man roster.’

‘Get rid of the blackouts or make them less draconian. That’s just being fair.’

‘”We still plan on playing our guys,” Marrone said, looking ahead to the last warmup before the regular season opener in Chicago on Sept. 7. “Obviously, I’m not looking at playing them very long into the game. We’ll get in there, and the guys that have some nicks we will keep out, and the guys that have to work through some things we may put in there.’

‘You have to love how things come full circle in the Bills’ wacky, dysfunctional universe.’

‘Schwartz made himself scarce with Buffalo media this week, obviously an attempt to keep his situation from becoming a major topic.’

‘Here are the five best Bills backup QBs. (And we’re not counting Doug Flutie, because he truly was a starter, even though he backed up early in 1998 and most of 2000.)’

‘That doesn’t automatically mean a new stadium will be required, and it certainly doesn’t mean that there is no room for tough negotiations if, in fact, one is going to be necessary. But it is clear from the stories that ran on Sunday and Monday that Ralph Wilson Stadium is substandard, and in just about every way, including its location and, critically, the amount of revenue it can produce.’

‘Conceivably, Palmer could assist the Bills a bit in game-planning for the Bears in Week 1. Cutler said his former backup knows plenty of information that could be of use to Buffalo’s coaches.’

‘”I don’t have any regrets looking back on it,” MacPherson said. “I can’t look back and say ‘Oh if I did this more, if I did this more.’ Just because I know I did as much as I could and I gave it my best shot.”‘

‘”We had a good relationship. He was an easy-going guy, a little fiery at times as well,” Whitehead said. “It’s going to be fun, he’s a competitive guy. We’re going to go out there and try to get after them. It’s football, it’s the name of the game.”’

‘Probably the biggest question mark going into this season for the Bills is, who will replace the loss of Kiko Alonso?’

‘”Yes, absolutely, I’m looking to play those guys,” Marrone said this week. “I think, obviously, we’re much further ahead on (the defensive side) of the ball than we are (on offense).”‘

‘With the way things unraveled in the first half for the starting offense on Saturday, there isn’t much mystery as to why head coach Doug Marrone wants to get his top unit more work in a game.’