Archives for September 23, 2014

‘”We’re slowing the game down and trying to do a little bit more to put us in situations where we can go in and substitute and get the best players in with the young guys and start using more of their talent,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said. “We still have it. There are times where we can go in and do it, but right now we’re just trying to play the game and use our players with the best talent and get them the football.”‘

‘Marrone had two choices: He could take the offsides, giving the Bills a fourth-and-1 at the opposing 43; or he could take the holding call on the return, giving the Chargers the ball at their own 9-yard line.’

‘The Bills’ running game is overrated. They gain yards because they run it just about more than any team in the NFL. But when you break it down, the runs aren’t all that effective.’

‘On Sunday, Manuel threw the ball 39 times and completed only 59 percent of his passes. He was also 7-for-21 for 49 yards when throwing to wide receivers. Once the offense became more one dimensional, Manuel wasn’t able to carry the offense.’

‘Watkins’ struggles went beyond the stat sheet and the one play he took off. Pro Football Focus graded him as at -4.0, a grade worse than only two other players on the Bills’ offense. EJ Manuel’s quarterback rating when throwing to Watkins was 39.6 just a week after it was 137.3 when throwing to Watkins against the Dolphins. Needless to say, Watkins will have better days.’

‘Buffalo Bills wide receiver and special teams ace Marcus Easley is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a sprained MCL, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan.’

‘Even last year, they nearly upset the Patriots in Week 1, and went 2-2 through September with wins over the Panthers and Ravens. Manuel had been a horrible reach in the first round, but he actually looked pretty decent. Things were looking up. Then they lost eight of their last 12, and … yep, 6-10 for the fourth time in five years.’

‘”You’re not going to win every game. It’s how it is,” defensive back Corey Graham said. “You’re going to have losses. You’re going to have setbacks.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone declined Monday to reveal the severity or nature of the injury. He says Easley is still being evaluated.’

‘Gilmore played 49 of 66 defensive snaps, McKelvin played 46, and Graham 33, though some of those come at safety due to injuries to Aaron Williams and Da’Norris Searcy. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, didn’t have a ball intercepted and only one of his seven incompletions was the result of a breakup, that by Graham.’

‘”We’re gonna put him back and see how he is moving around the field first,” Marrone said. “I think he should be ready to come back.”‘

‘Cornerback Nickell Robey was benched for, what it seemed to be, poor play against the San Diego offense. Robey accounted for only 42-percent of the snaps, even though the Chargers were in three-wide receiver sets a majority of the time. Robey was replaced by Ron Brooks, who received 35-percent of snaps on defense.’

‘Sammy Watkins’ 13 receptions through the first three games are tied for the second most in team history (Haven Moses, 1968 and Josh Reed, 2002). RB Joe Cribbs has the most receptions with 15 in 1980.’