Archives for September 15, 2014

‘The stars aligned this week in Orchard Park. Buffalo has a new prospective owner who has promised to keep the Bills in town. The former owner, who founded the team and kept it in town despite more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, was posthumously honored and inducted onto the “Wall of Fame.” Beloved franchise icon Jim Kelly made his first appearance since beating cancer, and fellow Hall of Famer Andre Reed joined him in front of Bills fans for the first time since his induction.’

‘But Watkins’ performance against Miami made it clear that he’s the number one receiver on this team. If it wasn’t obvious before, it is now. Not only did he have the most receptions and targets – no other Bills receiver had more than four targets against the Dolphins – but Manuel turned to him in key situations.’

‘And, suddenly, the Bills are alone in first place in the AFC East at 2-0 with New England, Miami and the N.Y. Jet all at 1-1.’

‘”We have to have more intensity. We didn’t have enough intensity out there. Those guys were fired up every single play. Every single play, you heard them screaming and yelling. They were fired up and we were quiet."’

‘The pre-game ceremony to honor late owner Ralph Wilson featured a number of Bills’ alumni including Hall of Famers Marv Levy, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Joe DeLamielleure, plus Booker Edgerson and former trainer Eddie Abramoski.’

‘”It’s a team game, and it’s great to see when everyone is pulling their weight,” General Manager Doug Whaley said in a jubilant locker room after the game. “Where we are as a team, this is the blueprint we need to follow to be successful.”‘

‘”He was a guy with integrity, a guy we all looked up to, and a guy we all considered almost like a father to us.”‘

‘But for fans, the knowledge that the Pegulas had won the bid and would keep their treasured NFL franchise in Buffalo took things to a new level. It was an emotional cyclone, one that began gathering steam when the happy news arrived last Tuesday and kept building right up until kickoff and beyond.’

‘”We played for them, and we played with them. It was just an amazing, amazing day,” Graham said. “It was beyond what I expected. The fans were so amazing today. I felt the energy the whole day today. It never let up. It was unbelievable. I never in a million years dreamed it would be that special.”‘

‘”We consider ourselves one of the best units in the league,” Dixon said. “We’re not going to shy away from that. Every team we go up against, we’re looking to sting them, no matter who they is.”‘

‘ills DT Kyle Williams vs. Miami’s guards. It was yet another game in which the Bills’ Pro Bowler played like a rolling ball of butcher knives.’

‘Credit Bills coach Doug Marrone with using star running back C.J. Spiller on special teams. Spiller showed off his 4.27-second speed in the 40-yard dash by bolting 102 yards with a third-quarter kickoff return to put the Bills ahead, 16-3.’

‘The Bills’ pesky problems in the red zone surfaced twice in the first quarter. Quarterback EJ Manuel threw low and incomplete on third down for Robert Woods on one drive, then the team couldn’t convert first and goal from the 7-yard line. The Bills settled for a pair of 27-yard field goals from Dan Carpenter.’

‘Jim Schwartz’s defensive strategy was splendid. Miami’s longest play was for 18 yards. Buffalo, meanwhile, had five gains of at least 22 yards. Strong defense and special teams let offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett keep decisions easy for Manuel. Some are questioning Doug Marrone’s decision to punt from Miami’s 39 toward the end of the first half, but it was the right choice.’

‘”It’s obviously a definite improvement over what they had before,” said Nancy Sullivan, who likes the vantage point from the 20-yard line at the Paul McGuire Club. “It’s the biggest TV I’ve ever seen … It definitely puts a new perspective on the game.”‘