Archives for November 2015

'Thigpen was the Bills' primary punt returner in the first four games of the season, but averaged only 5.2 yards per return, with a long of 14 yards. He also averaged only 9.7 yards on three kickoff returns.'

'Chiefs 23-19.'

'Ryan wasn’t so optimistic on defensive end Mario Williams or wide receiver Marcus Easley.'

'OK, so we didn’t beat New England – it would have been great, but there you go. Now the schedule really kicks in with must-win games at Kansas City and against Houston, both of whom are battling for a wild card. Had the Bills not pissed away some games like Jacksonville or the Giants they would be in a much better spot than they are – if they don’t win they cede their ability to control their own destiny and become reliant on other teams to falter – not where you where you want to be. Arrowhead Stadium is a nightmare to play in – those people are crazy and loud. The defense if finally starting to look very strong, but the offense seems to be regressing – I’m not hitting the panic button just yet, but over the next 2 weeks we should have an idea about how far the Bills will go this season.'

'“He feels better today than he did, which is good,” said Ryan of his quarterback Wednesday. “I’m not a doctor, but they feel he’s going to be just fine.”'

'Thigpen had been with the club at the start of the season serving as the team’s primary punt returner in the first four games. He averaged just 5.2 yards a return with a long of 14 yards. He did rotate in on kick return where he managed just 9.7 yards on three attempts.'

'“Guess what? We’re in the playoffs now,” Whaley said Tuesday in an appearance on the Bills Buffalo flagship radio station, WGR Sportsradio 550. “That’s our mindset. This is a playoff game against Kansas City. Because if we don’t beat Kansas City, we’re looking up and hoping for things to happen. We control our own destiny and that’s the only thing you can ask for. Our mindset now-this is a playoff week-our playoff week.”'

'Alex Smith (Kansas City), Brian Hoyer (Houston), Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez (Philadelphia), Kirk Cousins (Washington) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (New York) are all on tap with one All-Pro, Dallas' Tony Romo, along the way.'

'On Tuesday, a source from the NFL Referees Association cited three indefensible errors in the game to the Boston Globe's Ben Volin — the inadvertent whistle that prevented a possible touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, a James White touchdown run that should've been whistled dead and the final play of the game. Buffalo's Sammy Watkins rolled out of bounds with two seconds left but officials mistakenly let the clock run out.'

'There was no press conference held on Tuesday at One Bills Drive, but Rex Ryan did speak to WGR 550 and the Bills coach said that he expects quarterback Tyrod Taylor to play at Kansas City this week. Taylor suffered an apparent shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of Buffalo's 20-13 loss to New England but should be good to go for this critical AFC match-up.'

'Rarely do you get a chance like this against New England, yet when the final whistle blew on another blown call by an official – Sammy Watkins not being ruled out of bounds with two seconds to go – the scoreboard told another frustrating, heartbreaking story for the Bills. They fought and they scrapped, but they still weren’t good enough to beat the Belichicks and you get the feeling that they may never be as long as the curmudgeonly one is prowling the Patriots sideline.'

'This Thanksgiving and through the holiday season, 1,000 families in the Buffalo area will sit down to a warm meal thanks to the Bills' kindness, generosity and belief that it’s their responsibility to give back to a community that gives so much to them.'

'The Bills were concerned with Houston's run-and-shoot passing, led by Warren Moon, and played dime defense all night, but it was RB Lorenzo White who hurt them most as the eight-game winning streak ended.'

'Pro Football Focus credited the Bills with 15 quarterback hurries on Brady Monday night. Hughes had six of those, including one hit. He was in the backfield constantly and is looking well worth the contract the Bills handed him this offseason.'

'ESPN's Mike Tirico, a Syracuse grad, was pretty blunt as he signed off on the broadcast of the game last night and seems fed up with the NFL's officiating.'