Archives for September 2014

‘Bills swept season series last year for first time since 2007, winning both games with backup QB Thad Lewis starting in place of injured rookie EJ Manuel. Lewis was cut two weeks before start of this season.’

‘Dolphins 24, Bills 14.’

‘Buffalo’s underrated backfield presents a major challenge for Miami’s injury-dinged defense but the Bills’ fortunes come down to error-free play from QB EJ Manuel, who must show he won’t fold when the Dolphins force quick decisions from the pocket.’

‘The Bills ran the ball for 193 yards against the Bears. They popped off 5.85 yards per run, 4th best in the NFL after one weekend. The Dolphins allowed 4.45 yards per run last week (18th in NFL) and will most likely now be without ALL THREE starting linebackers against the Bills. Phillip Wheeler and Koa Misi appear to be out, and Dannell Ellerbe was placed on IR, ending his season.’

‘Despite the solid performance, Manuel also showed some of his negative tendencies from last year. On a first quarter throw, Manuel failed to look up field after his first read and settled for a dump down to fullback Frank Summers. Had he kept his eyes up, he would have noticed a wide open Woods in the same line of vision.’

‘Smith suffered a toe injury on August 23 and hasn’t been able to practice with the Bills since that day. In that time, he has been improving steadily and at least in his mind, is nearing a return.’

‘Bills founding owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., will be honored in a pregame ceremony. Stadium gates open at 11:30 a.m. and fans are encouraged to get to their seats early. The first 50,000 fans will receive a commemorative “RCW” window cling in the seating areas, mirroring the “RCW” patch worn on the team’s jerseys during the 2014 season in Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s honor.’

‘Everyone remembers Dolphins LB Bryan Cox’s famous double barrel salute to Bills fans in Orchard Park before a Bills-Dolphins game in 1995 as well as his spitting in the direction of fans who were heckling him. What many don’t remember is after Cox and Bills’ FB Carwell Gardner were both ejected for fighting during the game, there was almost a round two in the tunnel between the two locker rooms.’

‘Bills 16, Dolphins 14.’

‘”It was unreal, just to see the way the people of Western New York supported the sale of the team. Everyone’s happy about it,” he said. “They just can’t believe that it happened, and they’re so excited that the Buffalo Bills will stay in Western New York.”‘

‘Most fans are so relieved to know the Bills aren’t going anywhere, they don’t care how Kim and Terry go about their business. Pegula could hire clowns and Kardashians to run it and people would nod their approval.’

‘Buffalo native Corey Graham started in Gilmore’s spot and was a nominee for the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week after recording an interception and defending three passes. Taking him out of the lineup would not be an easy decision.’

‘”The general response I got back was they were focused on the sale. … They didn’t want to put the horse before the cart (so) they have not indicated to me whether they are interested in a new stadium or are fine at the Ralph,” the county executive said.’

‘”There was really some relief that 10, 12, 15 years from now, I don’t have to tell my kids what a special place this is,” Williams said after practice on Wednesday. “I can bring them and let them experience it.”‘

‘Of the nearly 850 games – regular and post-season – played by the Buffalo Bills in the franchise’s 55-year history, with due respect to that iconic comeback against Houston in the 1992 playoffs, none ultimately will be as important as a date. As in, Sept. 9, 2014.’