Archives for October 2014

‘Given that, we don’t know if the Bills, who traded their first round pick in 2015 to the Browns in order to select wideout Sammy Watkins, have the resources or the brass to draft another projected franchise quarterback next spring.’

‘”It is tough because you don’t know what throws he likes or what receivers he likes to go to,” Lions safety James Ihedigbo said. “But at the same time we’re going to prepare, (and) we feel like if we go out there and execute and play at the level we’re capable of, we’ll be OK.”‘

‘”From a personnel standpoint, obviously, he has a little insight,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said. “But again, the schematics, it’s different coordinators. Joe Lombardi and I worked together for a long time and you can see some similarities, but obviously you play to the strengths of your players. That’s about really the only insight that you get, and that’s a limited amount.”‘

‘The original Buffalo Bills uniforms were actually patterned after the Detroit Lions. The colors were light blue, silver and white and the helmet was silver with no stripe. They changed their colors in 1962 to red, white and blue.’

Lions expect Kyle Orton to bring ‘calmness’ to Bills (Detroit News)

Lions’ Bush says he learned from ’06 NFL draft (Detroit Free Press)

Lions’ Ross is making the most of opportunity (Detroit Free Press)

Lions won’t let fans down (Detroit Free Press)

Scouting report, prediction (Detroit Free Press)

Staff predictions (Detroit Free Press)

Detroit Lions hope LaAdrian Waddle will shore up protection issues (Ann Arbor News)

Detroit Lions know Jim Schwartz will come after them in his return to Ford Field (Ann Arbor News)

Presence of Kyle Orton, absence of Kyle Williams good news for Lions (Ann Arbor News)

It’s Gameday! Detroit Lions welcome back Jim Schwartz and the Buffalo Bills (Ann Arbor News)

Get to know, Buffalo: We know where you got your first uniforms (Ann Arbor News)

3 players to watch: Detroit Lions get back a key starter and debut a running back vs. Bills (Ann Arbor News)

Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis solid play a boost to defense (Oakland Press)

The reasons are many the Detroit Lions are off to fast start (Oakland Press)

Five keys to game against Buffalo Bills (Oakland Press)

Lions vs. Bills preview (DetroitLions.com)

Opposing view: Reasoning behind Bills’ QB change (DetroitLions.com)

Lions-Bills connections (DetroitLions.com)

‘”They called on Monday and they were making some changes or at least looking to make some changes. Teams are always looking to get better and the Bills asked if Jamie was ready and he literally dropped everything he was doing, packed his bags and three-and-a-half hours after, he was ready for his flight. It was quick turnaround,” Turner said. “He said ‘My first day was pretty good.’ He said he did a good job. When he says he did a good job, he means he did well in practice, and that’s to block Mario Williams and other players of that caliber. That’s a tough thing to do and that’s about one of the most challenging first days of work you’re going to get.”‘

‘From both an offensive and defensive perspective, the Lions have advantages at positions where the Bills are weaker. The way to attack Detroit is through the air, and the Bills haven’t shown the ability to do that consistently through four games in the season. On the ground, Buffalo will have to hope that Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller can open things up for the passing attack. Perhaps they’ll need fullback Frank Summers, who played practically as much of a role last week (6 snaps) as Doug Goodwin back in 1966, to open up some things and help out a struggling offensive line. Even if they can, Buffalo still has to deal with a daunting offensive attack with immense talent at all the skill positions. This game could be tighter than some are expecting, but the Lions likely have a bit too much for the Bills to overcome.’

”That confidence likely comes from one thing – Orton has very good pocket presence. He keeps his eyes down field, and moves from target to target quickly.’

‘It’ll be the clash of two great defenses when the Bills and Lions meet at Ford Field with arguably the best d-lines in the league. Both defenses rank in the top 10 in over six different categories.’

‘But just because Schwartz refuses to reveal what beating the Lions would mean to him personally, that’s no indication of any ambivalence about what a victory would mean to his current employer. “It is an important game for us,” he said. “It’s a road game and we’re coming off a two-game skid. And we need to be able to get it back, whether it’s the Lions, whether it’s any other team.’

‘The defensive front has to be as stout as it has been in any game this season.’

‘The source also told The News the foundation will be aggressive in supporting charitable causes in Buffalo and that its endowment will dwarf that of the Buffalo-based John R. Oishei Foundation, which describes itself as the area’s largest private foundation, with more than $300 million in assets.’

‘The bigger issue has been the performance of the guards. Erik Pears is off to a terrible start in his first season as a full-time right guard. Williams, an offseason free agent acquisition, has been troubled by his back and has not been effective. Backups Kraig Urbik and Richardson – who have both seen time replacing the ailing Williams – haven’t played enough to draw a conclusion.’

‘This is a rough matchup for the Bills. The interior of Buffalo’s offensive line has struggled in the last few weeks, and Marrone has acknowledged it. Now, rookie guard Cyril Richardson and converted guard Erik Pears will be lining up across from Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. The strength of Detroit’s defense will be matched against the weakness of the Bills’ offense. That could be trouble.’

‘Wide receiver Marcus Easley was also listed as out for the Bills.’