Archives for December 2014

‘”It didn’t change too much,” said Searcy, of the Bills approach after Manziel took over with 12:01 left. “Coming on the field, we knew he was in there. We just told each other to look for (bootlegs).”‘

‘”We are the same defense, just a different coach,” Williams said. “Schwartz did a great job of getting us prepared. He puts up a great gameplan. When we had Pettine it was great and all, and he’s doing his thing in Cleveland, but today was a statement game, and that statement was that we are a better defense. Point black period.”‘

‘”I think it was right,” Browns safety Donte Whitner said of the decision to bring in Manziel. “We want to see what Johnny can do. Johnny did a pretty good job when he was in there. That first drive he was in he moved the offense down and scored a touchdown. You see how special he is with all of those different attributes. When a play breaks down, he can make it with his legs, he can escape the pocket when it’s a pass, make sure the guy is open downfield and put it in there.”‘

‘”It wasn’t tough. He’s a very versatile quarterback. He makes the play extend but, at the same time, I feel like nothing that they could have done to try to miscue us on defense.”‘

‘”No back-and-forth from me (with the fans),” Whitner said. “I think it was all fans towards me. 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, it’s what you expect. My hat goes off to them with the win.’

‘What is there to say about the Buffalo Bills’ defense that hasn’t already been said?’

‘Yeah, I know. Some are thinking why should anyone feel sorry for someone who made millions playing a football game?’

‘”You know we really didn’t make that many adjustments,” Williams added. “It was really just a focus on your job and really being on top of everything. I think we played a little bit loose in the first half with what we were supposed to do and it led to them making some plays and having a couple of drives. We really tightened it up in the second half.”‘

‘Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett needs to figure out his unit’s red zone woes. They have been a real problem this season and it’s not getting any better. If the Bills are going to compete with teams like Denver and Green Bay in December, Hackett will need to address that problem.’

‘Doug Marrone is being more aggressive on fourth down, and it’s paying off. Facing fourth-and-three at the Cleveland 37, the Bills completed a 34-yard pass to Woods to set up Hogan’s touchdown one play later. Ten seconds later, Hughes returned the fumble for a touchdown to make it an 11-point lead. The red-zone offense and third-down offense both remain concerns.”

‘We say wasted because for the Bills to reach the post-season for the first time since 1999, they’re probably going to have to win at least three of their last four games.’

‘”Our communication was on point (Sunday), and we did a great job in the secondary,” Bills safety Aaron Williams said. “We dropped a lot of picks. Somebody should have had four picks, but I won’t say names. Other than that, as long we get a victory I’m fine with it.”‘

‘”I think in the second half we played a lot better,” Buffalo defensive end Kyle Williams said. “That was the one thing we talked about when we came in at halftime. We said that they had only three points but we hadn’t played that well. I think in the second half we did a really good job.”‘

‘Orton put the Bills ahead 7-3 with 8:04 left with a 3-yard pass to Chris Hogan. Buffalo’s defense scored on the next play from scrimmage, when Hughes stripped the ball from running back Terrence West, and returned the fumble 18 yards for a score.’