Archives for December 28, 2014

‘Of much greater impact, from what happens today, will be how it relates to general manager Doug Whaley and coach Doug Marrone.’

‘A game like this is always tough to call. Without knowing who the Patriots are going to play and for how long, it’s a bit of a guessing game. Even if New England rests some of its starters, they are going to have a good chance to win this game. The Bills could be without defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, so it’s not like they will be at full strength, either. New England hasn’t been kind to the Bills, and that is likely to continue this week.’

‘Gronkowski has been in the NFL only five seasons, but he’s already discussed as one of its greatest tight ends. He is amassing unprecedented stats while plodding through injury issues.’

‘Going back to the 2001 season, the Bills are 0-8 in season finales played outside the Ralph. The average score: 31-12. Three of those games were played in New England. They lost all three by an aggregate score of 114-41.’

‘Patriots 23, Bills 20.’

‘The death of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. in March triggered a cascade of news this year. The death of Wilson, the most influential sports figure the region has ever known, sparked reflections on his 55-year legacy, the hunt for a new owner for the team and discussions about a new stadium.’

‘”They’ve all been pretty frustrating, you know,” said Chandler, who is completing his fourth year with the team. “It sucks to not be playing for something this week; we really thought we would be. It was fun to be playing for something in December, finally, but we need to find a way to get over this hump.”‘

‘Patriots 27, Bills 16.’

‘”We have a great feel for our personnel,” Hackett said. “We’ve gotten to see all these guys go, you know what you’ve got. It’s about letting them shine one more time and letting them get success and being able to work the whole offense and get this thing clicking.”‘

‘Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (knee) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (concussion) were downgraded from doubtful to out, the Bills announced Saturday. They did not travel with the team.’

‘But reached later in the day by the Buffalo News, Polian, 72, said that “I have steadfastly refused, throughout my career, to deal with rumors and I continue to do so to this day,” Polian said. “This much is certain: I will be working tomorrow for ESPN and next week and the weeks thereafter for ESPN.”‘

Up-tempo offense got Patriots up to speed (Boston Globe)

Bill Belichick has made all the right moves this season (Boston Globe)

Tom Brady is a bargain at quarterback (Boston Globe)

Patriots place Alfonzo Dennard on IR, sign Josh Boyce (Boston Globe)

Patriots homing in on another perfect finish at Gillette Stadium (Boston Globe)

Patriots’ keys to a victory over Bills (Boston Globe)

Blind fan soaks up essence of Patriots games (Boston Globe)

Last call priority:  Repair O-line leaks (Boston Herald)

Bolden roles with it (Boston Herald)

As Brady antidote, Rex right Rx for Patriots playoff foes (Boston Herald)

Tyms right to do something extra (Boston Herald)

Five things to watch today vs. Bills (Boston Herald)

New England Patriots CB Alfonzo Dennard placed on injured reserve, WR Josh Boyce signed from practice squad (Springfield Republican)

Five thoughts on Patriots vs. Bills: Can Tom Brady still win NFL MVP? (Springfield Republican)

Patriots offensive line will face tough test to get back on track (Providence Journal)

Tireless preparation has taken Josh McDaniels where athletic talent never could (Providence Journal)

Patriots put Alfonzo Dennard on injured reserve (Providence Journal)

Ready for anything (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

Home cookin’ could be tasty to Patriots come playoff time (Brockton Enterprise)

Ninkovich and Orton are friends turned foes (Brockton Enterprise)

Pats, Bills at the finish line in different places (Metro West Daily News)

The world according to Bill (Metro West Daily News)

Patriots’ Rob Ninkovich is constant presence (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Patriots prepared for playoff tune-up (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Jonathan Comey and Tim Weisberg make their picks (New Bedford Standard Times)

Sizing ’em up: Patriots (12-3) vs. Bills (8-7) (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

Goal: Stay healthy (Manchester Union Leader)

Patriots Place Alfonzo Dennard On IR, Sign Josh Boyce From Practice Squad (NESN)

Dennard placed on IR, Boyce to Patriots 53-man roster (CSN New England)

Curran’s Bills-Patriots preview (CSN New England)

Patriots-Bills Week 17 News & Notes (WBZ-AM)

Patriots promote WR Josh Boyce to active roster, place CB Alfonzo Dennard on IR (WEEI-FM)

Patriots place Alfonzo Dennard on IR; Sign Josh Boyce to 53-man roster (Patriots.com)

Bills at Patriots Pregame Six-Pack! (Patriots.com)

‘Cornerback Gilmore also was downgraded from doubtful to out because of a concussion.’

‘Dareus, named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl earlier in the week, sustained a knee injury in the Bills’ Week 16 loss at Oakland. The 25-year-old Alabama product finished the regular season with a career-high 10 sacks.’

‘With more on the line for the Bills than the Patriots, and due the playing time approach Doug Marrone will likely employ, Buffalo could have as good of a chance as ever to get a victory at Gillette Stadium. This game is a late-season exhibition contest for New England, but that won’t keep the Bills from putting their foot on the gas pedal. Expect to see the passing game have more success than it has over the past two months, mostly due to the talent disparity. For that reason, the Bills may just pull off the first winning record since 2004.’