Archives for August 2014

‘”I’m not going to sit here and say I’m satisfied with the backup quarterback,” Marrone said. “I’m not.”‘

‘Surrounded by a wall of cards in the video, Kelly says: “I just want to thank everybody for the well wishes, the cards, the pictures, the prayers, everything that everybody has sent to me as far as well wishes, thank you, thank you, thank you. God bless you.”‘

‘Mr. Future Owner, you have enormous shoes to fill! As you take the baton of ownership into the future, I trust that you too will passionately preserve and perpetuate the very things that have made our team great. It’s your turn to carry on the legacy. It’s your season to encourage and motivate. It’s now your time to rally the family to victory. Thank you in advance for providing future memories for me, my family and the countless Buffalo Bills fans across the world.’

‘One of the most discouraging performances by a Buffalo offense in a long time. And given this team’s pedigree the last 14 years, that’s quite a statement.’

‘”Alan Branch, it was reported to me that he was arrested,” coach Doug Marrone said when asked why Branch was inactive for the game. “I’m going to meet with him tomorrow. I found out somewhere around noon time, midday. I tried to call him and get ahold of him, and I finally did through someone else. I said, ‘I’ll meet with you tomorrow.’ I don’t want to say anything I don’t know the truth about. I excused him from being here today.”‘

‘Saturday was supposed to be when the Bills’ starters were at their best. Instead, they delivered their worst performance of the preseason in the first half. There is work to be done in Buffalo before the Bills open the regular season in Chicago on Sept. 7.’

‘”I don’t think they should have done that, especially when the game first started and they weren’t as loud as they could have been,” Bills running back Anthony Dixon said after the game. “I felt like when we first went out there they (were) looking for something to go wrong.”‘

‘”Yeah, there’s a few things I was asking for, but of course, (Marrone) said we’re saving this and that for the regular season, which I understand,” Manuel said. “But at the same time, we still want to go out there and win and we want to score touchdowns, but there are some things we’re going to continue saving for Chicago (the regular season opener).”‘

‘The scoreboard read 24-0, but that didn’t tell the whole story. At halftime, Manuel was 9-18 for 67 yards, good for 3.7 yards per attempt. To make matters worse, he threw an interception and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Bills’ first-team offense allowed a touchdown before it scored one this preseason.’

‘It’s been a tough preseason for Branch. After signing a three-year contract extension with a $3.1 million signing bonus after the 2013 season, he reported to camp out of shape and failed his conditioning test. In last week’s preseason game, Branch was surprised he didn’t play until the fourth quarter. It led to questions about whether or not he would make the 53-man roster.’

‘”It was amazing. Our new locker room. The new cafeteria is unbelievable. I didn’t really look outside the stadium too much because we come through the back way. From what I heard, it looked amazing. They did a great job. Now it’s time for us to get back and get those ‘Ws.'”‘

‘This one bodes horribly for a team coming off three consecutive 6-10 seasons, and which has not made the playoffs this century.’

For Bucs starters, win an effort to build on (Tampa Tribune)

Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Evans expresses regret for fighting video (Tampa Tribune)

Bucs look better in beating Bills (Tampa Bay Times)

New Bucs defensive end Larry English records two sacks (Tampa Bay Times)

Bucs DT Clinton McDonald scores rare TD (Tampa Bay Times)

Bucs-Bills Recap with Grades (Lakeland Ledger)

Team’s best effort on display against Bills (Fox Sports Florida)

Buc Starters Dominate in Win at Buffalo (Buccaneers.com)

Rapid Reaction: Bucs 27, Bills 14 (Buccaneers.com)

Postgame Notes: Bucs at Bills (Buccaneers.com)

Photo gallery (Buccaneers.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

Photo gallery (Syracuse Post-Standard)

Photo gallery (AP)

‘The announced sold-out crowd that came to get its first glance at the $130 million in renovations at Ralph Wilson Stadium also got a look at a team that still needs plenty of polish.’

‘Discipline was an issue, too. The Bills were flagged three times over a five-play stretch. Add in Jackson being stopped for a 5-yard loss, and it led to Buffalo facing one third-and-40.’