Archives for December 2014

‘The drama was sapped when Buffalo stubbed its playoff toe at Oakland and New England wrapped up home-field advantage in Week 16. The Patriots don’t want to break their unblemished record against the Bills at Gillette Stadium (12-0) and won’t rest key players until the outcome is in hand.’

‘Both defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and cornerback Stephon Gilmore could not participate at Wednesday’s practice inside the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Each player suffered an injury on Sunday in Oakland and could not return to game action because of it.’

‘”Someone doesn’t think that you’re good enough,” said Urbik. “When I was in Pittsburgh I was just trying to be the best player I could be and I just didn’t do it quick enough, which is why they released me. Coming in here I had a second chance and needed to make the most of it. So I just tried to come in and get better every day and be a better player and ended up playing a bit that year.”‘

‘Hughes had the strongest case among Bills players not to make the game. Beyond his sack stats, he has developed into an every-down player this season. But competition at defensive end was stiff.’

‘”I can understand the question, but the game means a lot to me and we’re going to play the best players that we feel give us the best chance to win and that’s just the way that I’m wired,” Marrone said. “That’s what my responsibility is to the team, and I have to make those decisions each week. My focus is on winning the game.”‘

‘”Those questions are things that will be discussed offseason. I have not discussed that with Doug (Whaley) or Russ (Brandon) or anyone yet. It’d be hard for me to say and I have not put much though into it. I know you guys don’t like those answers, but I’m being honest with you.”‘

‘All three of the Bills’ Pro Bowlers have been selected before. Dareus went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season, while both Kyle Williams and Mario Williams will be making their fourth trip to the Pro Bowl.’

‘What Buffalo demonstrated by its play this year is there just isn’t time to develop a quarterback. The Bills have to locate someone worth plugging into the position quickly, who can provide that championship-caliber defense with enough support on the other side of the ball to make it matter, before it’s too late. Going 8-8 doesn’t make it matter.’

‘Orton, quite obviously, is not the guy. Just as clearly, Marrone does not believe Manuel is, either. Due to Doug Whaley’s decision to give up two first-round picks for Watkins, Buffalo has no first-round pick in this year’s draft. Not that there is a potential franchise quarterback without a lengthy history of disturbing off-field behavior to be had, anyway.’

‘”I can understand the question, but the game means a lot to me and we’re going to play the best players that we feel give us the best chance to win and that’s just the way that I’m wired,” Marrone said Tuesday. “That’s what my responsibility is to the team, and I have to make those decisions each week. My focus is on winning the game.”‘

‘”We have no idea. We don’t know who’s safe and who’s not,” Wood told reporters on Tuesday. “Personally, I just hope I’m safe. A high price center in the middle of the field that could be playing better. I’ve got to look at myself first. I can’t be pointing fingers and looking around. I have to evaluate myself first and worry about my game and constantly try to get better.”‘

And so another year without the playoffs. I’m not surprised, but I am ticked off. Buffalo always shows just enough to let you start thinking about things finally being better, but in the end they always find a way to crush your soul. If there’s a hell, Bills games are on TV on constant loop.

‘A Bills trio along the defensive line has been named to the 2015 Pro Bowl.’

‘Even if you disagree with Marrone’s punt, his decision to punt is defensible. If the Bills offense, which had struggled to pick up yardage, fails on 4th-and-1, the Raiders get the ball back with ten yards to go before they put strong-legged kicker Sebastian Janikowski on the field for a makeable try, one that would put Oakland up by five points. In fact, the Buffalo defense looked like it was ready to make Marrone’s decision pay off, getting Oakland into a 3rd-and-22 situation from their own 19. Derek Carr’s heave resulted in a 51-yard pass play to Andre Holmes, an improbable third down conversion that was the play of the game.’