Archives for October 18, 2014

‘The Bills have a problem with penalties this season -through six games, they have been called for 64. Taking away the 11 that have been declined or offset, their 53 accepted penalties rank third in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh (57) and New England (54). As for per-game averages, their 8.83 infractions is third-most, and their 78.3 yards is fifth-most.’

‘In addition to Goodwin, linebacker Ty Powell and wide receiver Marcus Easley have been ruled out for Sunday.’

‘”His leadership and his ability to put the team first in some really tough situations, I’ll never forget that,” Orton said. “To be in his situation where he finally gets a chance to play, plays great, to have to give that up. He could have went one of two ways. He could have been a negative force on the team or he could have been a positive force, and obviously it was a positive force and he put the team in front of any personal goals.”‘

‘Gragg and Wright have always been connected. Their parents had them in the bathtub together, they took family vacations to Disney World together, and then they dominated Arkansas High School football together before going to the University of Arkansas.’

‘Last week, Sammy Watkins was targeted only three times in the passing game. That had to do more with the matchup against Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis than it did with Watkins’ play, but it’s time for the Bills to let loose with Watkins. Marrone admitted that they should have had Watkins as the primary read more often in Week 6. Expect to see that on Sunday.’

‘Thomas said he usually does three or four signings a year for business openings in the Buffalo area, and he enjoys meeting the fans. “They let you know one thing – how long people have been holding on to stuff,” he said. “For me, it’s not even about signing the autographs; It’s about seeing the Bills fans and where they are.”‘

Vikings receivers try to catch up to expectations (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Kidney stone keeps Zimmer out of practice (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Bills unlikely to find strong trade market for Spiller (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

5 keys to beating the Bills (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Frustrated Chad Greenway itching to get back in game (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer sidelined by kidney stone (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings’ ‘Tiny’ Richardson getting tinier to help quickness (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings’ Linval Joseph could be starting to find his groove (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings at Bills: Pioneer Press predictions (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

McKinnon, Asiata to split carries as Vikings will keep two-back system (Fox Sports North)

Zimmer has minor procedure, will coach Sunday (Fox Sports North)

Greenway On Track To Play Sunday For The Vikings/ (WCCO-TV)

Mike Zimmer away from Vikings as he undergoes procedure (KSTP-AM)

Young corners have held together for Vikings so far this season (KSTP-AM)

Harvin trade looking even better for Vikings as Seahawks dump receiver (KSTP-AM)

With Wootton out, rookie Scott Crichton will likely be activated (KSTP-AM)

Zimmer expected back quickly, after procedure (AP)

Zimmer being Zimmer: Vikes coach learning (AP)

Vikings’ Zimmer misses practice for ‘minor procedure’ (The Sports Xchange)

What We Learned: Vikings vs. Bills (Vikings.com)

Greenway, Floyd Questionable For Sunday (Vikings.com)

‘Buffalo has been held to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four straight games after doing that just five times last season. The Bills’ two touchdowns rushing are the fewest to open a season since scoring one through seven games in 2010.’

‘Receiver Marcus Easley (knee) is also out, giving the Bills only four healthy receivers.’

‘In the last three games Buffalo has not only had less production running the ball, they also have called fewer run plays. In 2013 the Bills ran the ball more than 49 percent of the time. Over the last three weeks they’ve run the ball just over 35 percent of the time (35.5%). The offense has to get back to a more even balance to control the pace of the game, more effectively set up play action and finish off scoring drives.’

‘”Absolutely. And we talk about that, too,” he continued. “If you want to be a shutdown corner in this league, you’ve got to play technique and you gotta play your guy. That’s how we talk about it in my room. I don’t beat around the bush. I tell them straight that if you want to be a shutdown corner, you take your man out of it by working technique and making sure you get yours covered.”‘

‘We all know the Bills have struggled mightily in their interior offensive line, especially running the football. But I think it would be a mistake to go away from trying to pound the football this week and taking advantage of a Vikings defense that has allowed at least 150 yards on the ground already twice this season. It’s obviously incumbent upon the Bills OL to be better in order to do that.’

‘Defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee), linebacker Brandon Spikes (ribs), safety Da’Norris Searcy (knee) and long snapper Garrison Sanborn also received the ‘probable’ designation, reserved for players that have at least a 75-percent chance of playing in the upcoming game.’