Archives for December 22, 2014

‘Not a good day for Marrone or his coordinators, Jim Schwartz and Nathaniel Hackett. Schwartz’s unit allowed the league’s least productive offense to score 11 points above its average. Hackett’s playcalling was predictable. And Marrone failed to prevent his team from suffering a let-down following the Green Bay win. F.’

‘”I think we did enough to win the game, if you take away that play,” Graham said. “There were a lot of plays that didn’t go our way out there today. I’m not going to say one play (lost the game), but that was a big one. I should have made that play.”‘

‘The final score was 26-24, but that doesn’t give anything remotely close to a true indication of how much the Bills were outplayed.’

‘There was no letdown. The Bills were simply outplayed by an Oakland team with an interim head coach and very little to play for. The worst thing is, they were physically beaten at the point of attack for much of the day.’

‘”It’s different,” Bills cornerback Corey Graham said. “Obviously, when you lose two of your better players it’s going to be tough for the defense.’

‘The Bills marched to the Raider 33 in the first quarter. But Woodson, a 17-year veteran, made up for his early mistake on Watkins’ TD by intercepting an Orton pass for Chandler up the right seam. Bad decision by Orton.’

‘Oakland rookie Khalil Mack, the University at Buffalo product, is legit. Mack made three tackles in the first quarter, including one on the Bills’ first play from scrimmage, when he dropped running back Fred Jackson for no gain.’

‘The Bills’ season was in the balance. A loss would extinguish their postseason hopes. So they were outplayed by a hapless Raiders franchise that seemed more inspired despite playing only for pride. Schwartz’s head-coach stock is slipping. Nathaniel Hackett might be on the verge of calling his last game next week. So might Marrone.’

‘Rob Gronkowski is a Comeback Player of the Year candidate. The Amherst native played just seven games in 2013 because of injuries, but has been a force this season. Gronkowski has 82 catches for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s started 10 games and appeared in 15. He was eased into action at the beginning of the year as he got back into shape after those injuries, which included a torn knee ligament. Gronk’s presence gives the Patriots the ability to run or pass.’

‘Fans who have stuck with them through about a decade and a half of thick, and four decades of thin, deserve a day to turn their backs on a team that defines the very essence of heartbreak, of disappointment, and of sheer incompetence.’

‘The former UB stud – picked No. 5 overall by Oakland, one slot after Buffalo took Sammy Watkins in May – was all over the place. He was credited with five tackles, one sack for 10 yards and two other quarterback hits, and was a constant source of disruption to the Bills.’

‘Doug Marrone perhaps saved his job last week with that win against Green Bay. And then his team responded with this performance. As sickening losses go, this leaps right into Pittsburgh 2004 territory. Just an inexplicable, demoralizing, epic Bills-like failure on all fronts. Merry Christmas to all.’

‘Instead of having a playoff berth possibly on the line next week in New England, the Bills can start looking ahead to next season and figuring out what to do at quarterback. Orton failed to get Buffalo over the hump after replacing ineffective second-year player EJ Manuel.’

‘”I’m just going to try to win every game I play,” Marrone said. “I’ll look at the film, see what we have to do and play who gives us the best chance to win next week.”‘

‘The Bills’ run defense got off to a great start to the season but has fallen off a cliff in the last couple of months. On Sunday, the Bills allowed 142 yards on the ground to the Raiders, who don’t have much of a passing game.’