Archives for October 23, 2014

‘Dixon started with nothing. At times growing up in Mississippi, Dixon was homeless. He was raised by a single mother working two jobs, making Dixon a father figure for his four brothers. To say Dixon had it tough is an understatement. But he made it through and was smiling every step of the way.’

‘Coming out of high school, Brown was one of the biggest recruits in the country. He initially landed at Tennessee but was unhappy about his playing time, so he transferred to Kansas State. Brown then left Kansas State early to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. He never started a college game and was drafted in the seventh round.’

‘It’s an ominous trend, especially as the Bills prepare for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, who despite their 1-6 record, have this going for them: They rank fourth in the NFL with 20 sacks and do an excellent job of pressuring the passer.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills General Manager Bill Polian is a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.’

‘”You handle it the same as if you were 6-1,” Ryan said. “You go about your job and you just do the best you can as a coach, and you line it up each week. That’s what we do. We put everything we have into our preparation and putting our players in a position where we think they can be successful.”‘

‘”Me and Bryce are going to do it together as a combination,” Dixon said. “That’s pretty much how we’re going to get it done. We’re going to compete this week and see who’s got a feel for the plays that” offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett “wants to run, and then on Sunday, we’re going to go with it.”‘

‘”I’m definitely ready every week, preparing like I’m the starter,” said Urbik, who has played only 55 offensive snaps (out of 450), all in the Week 3 game against San Diego when he took over for Williams, who suffered a back injury early that day. “Being the backup who dresses on game day, you’re always one play away from starting. So I prepare every week like I’m starting, and I’ll be ready.”

‘”It’s awful hard to come in and, ‘Oh by the way here’s the offense, learn it in a week,’ ” Ryan said. “I don’t know if that’s realistic. But we’ll have some plays for him and get him back there to return a kick and things like that. I’d love to see him make a difference immediately, but again, we’ll see how he does during the week. How much he can pick up of this offense and then let him go.”

‘Meanwhile, the Bills have made a change on the offensive line. After a few rough games in a row, rookie fifth-round pick Cyril Richardson has been replaced as the team’s starting left guard in favor of Kraig Urbik, who started all 16 games at right guard for the Bills in 2013. Erik Pears was still running with the first-team offense at right guard.’

‘”They going to find something to talk about,” Williams said. “I left my pads in there, so I left (the locker room) full-padded. I was there first, so I couldn’t be late if I was full padded. So I left my pads in here, came back and got them, and then ran back up there full-padded again.”‘

‘”Spikes is one of those guys that I like,” Ryan said with a laugh on a conference call with Buffalo reporters. “He’s a tough guy, a mean guy, a tough guy. I like guys that are competitors, and Spikes is exactly right. That’s why I like him so much, and that’s why I like Kyle Williams so much. Same thing with Percy Harvin. You know, Percy’s a big-time competitor. You know, is he perfect? Does he have some things that he probably wished he had back? Sure, but we all have. He’s been treated no different. I told him to be himself. We’ll see how it works out, but we’re happy he’s here.”‘

‘Williams is dealing with a thumb injury, while Watkins is dealing with a groin injury and said he didn’t miss a single rep in practice.’

NY Jets want Percy Harvin to play it, not say it after Seahawks controversy (New York Daily News)

Season already grounded but NY Jets finally on run (New York Daily News)

Rex Ryan gets on conference call with Bills’ Sammy Watkins, jokingly asks him not to play vs. NY Jets (New York Daily News)

New NY Jet Percy Harvin in middle of Seahawks divide: report (New York Daily News)

Deep impact (New York Post)

Vick: Harvin ‘won’t be a monster here’ (New York Post)

How Rex Ryan played a prank on Sammy Watkins (New York Post)

Jets won’t let Percy Harvin talk to media until Friday (Newsday)

Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley happy to have his new deal ‘out of the way’ (Newsday)

Percy Harvin might provide answer for Jets’ question on Geno Smith (Newsday)

Rex Ryan poses as reporter to quiz Sammy Watkins about his son Seth (Newsday)

Percy Harvin’s potential role with the Jets (Newsday)

Jets’ Rex Ryan bullish about Percy Harvin’s potential as outside WR, punt returner, despite inexperience (Newark Star Ledger)

Percy Harvin instructed by Jets not to talk to reporters (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets’ Quincy Enunwa on dismissal of domestic violence charge: ‘I guess you could say it’s a relief’ (Newark Star Ledger)

Jeremy Kerley jokes that he will ‘buy Bentleys for everybody’ with Jets contract extension money (Newark Star Ledger)

5 reasons Percy Harvin can succeed with Jets (Newark Star Ledger)

How well do Jets’ Michael Vick and Percy Harvin know each other? Depends on who you ask (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets WR Percy Harvin was turning Seahawks locker room against Russell Wilson, report says (Newark Star Ledger)

Jets coach Rex Ryan pretends to be reporter, asks Bills WR Sammy Watkins question (Newark Star Ledger)

Bilal Powell, Phillip Adams, Greg Salas practice Wednesday; Jets near full strength (Newark Star Ledger)

Team’s task is to use Percy Harvin (Bergen Record)

Jets ‘D’ looking very un-Rex like (Bergen Record)

Geno Smith must use Percy Harvin advantage (Bergen Record)

Kerley happy to sign new contract with Jets (Bergen Record)

Jets look ahead: Bills (Bergen Record)

Jets Pass Defense Has Been Passable (Wall Street Journal)

Smith: Percy Harvin isn’t in this alone (ESPN New York)

Is Rex Ryan Facing A 9-Game Audition? (WFAN-AM)

Smith has 9 games to show Jets he’s answer at QB (AP)

Jets’ Enunwa moving forward after charge dismissed (AP)

Harvin trade may be key in two legacies (The Sports Xchange)

Bills’ Front 4 Has Geno’s, O-Line’s Attention (NewYorkJets.com)

Gameday guide: 10/26 Jets vs. Bills (NewYorkJets.com)

Jets Will Don All Green Sunday (NewYorkJets.com)

‘”Just going against him, your confidence has got to come up. I mean, he didn’t beat me every play,” Watkins said Wednesday, referring to Revis, a five-time Pro Bowl selection. “I think he knows I can compete with him. And once you get that down, you come out and play fast every week.”‘