Archives for December 2014

‘For the second consecutive game, Woods led the team in catches (4) and receiving yards (71). Meanwhile, Watkins led the Bills with nine targets but caught only three passes for 11 yards. He also received a -1.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. Marrone wasn’t focused on Watkins’ poor performance after the game and doesn’t seem to feel a need to get him the ball.’

‘Quarterback Kyle Orton took the Cowboys’ money then became the Bills’ starter without a training camp. Who does he think he is Brett Favre? Roger “Half-Season” Clemens? He has played well at times, but not in Sunday’s victory. Orton posted a 57.2 quarterback rating, his worst as a starter since he lost the Broncos’ job to Tim Tebow in October 2011.’

‘”If it’s daunting and you’re worried or you’re scared about it, I don’t want to play with you,” Williams said. “It’s a challenge obviously. Great players. But we feel like we’re pretty good players, too.”‘

‘”I had hopes that it would spur some involvement from people, but I had no idea it was going to be such a nationwide effort.”‘

‘”Absolutely, it’s going to be a huge test for this team and we’re going to see how we come out, especially on the road being in Denver next week,” said safety Aaron Williams. “We’re going to be put to the test. But as long as we do what we did (Sunday) and have good communication, be physical, I feel that it’s going to be a good game.”‘

‘The win mirrored the resiliency and perseverance displayed by Buffalo residents, first responders and volunteers who worked tirelessly shoveling snow off damaged roofs, providing food to families in desperate need and rescuing people trapped in their cars on the interstate. It was even symbolic of the group of snowmobilers who drove Bills players to team headquarters before they flew to Detroit.’

‘Spiller was placed on the injured reserve with the designation to return, which makes players sit out a minimum of eight weeks of game action, although they are allowed to practice after only six weeks. The running back was deactivated from the roster during Week 8, and can come back and play in the team’s final two games of the year against Oakland and New England.’

‘Talley is beloved by Bills fans because he was just like Bills fans. As blue collar as blue collar players go, Talley was the perfect fit for a blue collar city like Buffalo. You always knew Talley would give you everything he had. It didn’t matter when the game was played or where it was or who the Bills were playing. It didn’t matter what the scoreboard said, good or bad, and it didn’t matter if it was a meaningless game at the end of a season. Darryl Talley would expend every drop of energy he had, on every snap, in every game.’

‘With a victory on Sunday, the Bills enter December with seven wins for the first time since the 2000 season.’

‘”They’re kind of living on their defense now,” Browns seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas said. “They do so many things that make it difficult for anybody on offense and, down the stretch, playing good defense can get you a long way and get you into the playoffs.”‘

‘”No really back and forth with me,” said of his interaction with the crowd. “I think it was all fans toward me, I didn’t say anything to them. It’s part of the game, it’s the nature of the National Football League. Fans are passionate. When you have a passionate fan base like this, that’s what you expect. Hat goes off to them with the win.”‘

‘Still, the team I saw at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday didn’t look like a playoff team. Resourceful, yes. Resilient, certainly. The possessor of a proud defense that can make life difficult for any quarterback who doesn’t qualify as elite? Sure. They’re still not good enough.’

‘Manziel was unassuming about his performance. “It wasn’t perfect by any means,” he said. He admitted being nervous during his first few plays and relieved after completing a pass. He blamed himself for the botched play. He was sure to thank his teammates for supporting him. He left Johnny Football on the field.’

‘At this rate, $10 million a year might be a bargain for the Bills.’

‘The Bills limited the Browns to just 3 of 12 third-down conversions (25 percent). Cleveland entered the game ranked 31st in the NFL on third downs, converting 32 percent. Buffalo’s defense entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NFL, holding foes to 33.9 percent conversions. Browns QB Brian Hoyer does not have the size and athleticism to extend plays and consistently make big plays downfield.’