Archives for January 2016

'Blame, right or wrong, will likely be placed on the players this off-season. A group that finished with a NFL-high 54 sacks a year ago, one ranked fourth in total defense might be picked apart. And Brown, the one at the central command center of it all, might be a player the front office pegs a problem. He has 116 tackles this season, but has been rated the worst player at his position by Pro Football Focus.'

'I’ll be pulling for him. It’s not only Fitz. Chan Gailey, a true gentleman and a resourceful offensive mind during his three years as Bills head coach, is the Jets’ offensive coordinator. It would good to see Gailey go to the playoffs for the first time since he went as Miami’s coordinator 15 years ago.'

'“It’s an easy 10 bucks an hour,” said Isaac Dana, 17, of East Aurora. “I’d be doing this at home shoveling my driveway, so I might as well get paid for it.”'

'Jets 27, Bills 20.'

'Chan Gailey has been huge in getting the Jets offense to where they are. Obviously, he had to deal with unexpectedly losing his starting quarterback before the season. He also lost TE Jace Amaro in the preseason. He puzzled many people by reducing WR Jeremy Kerley’s reps, and we are now starting to see it paying off with the emergence of they hybrid WR/TE Quincy Enunwa. I was never confident in RB Chris Ivory’s pass catching in previous years, but that has improved this year, and they have been giving him screen passes and catches out of the backfield. His use of pre-snap motion helps tip off the defenses. He is adamant against using the wildcat and other gadget plays; instead, he wants the players to execute their regular offense.'

'"Right now, he's got guys making plays for him and not only (Eric Decker) and (Brandon Marshall) making plays, but he's got the tight end that wasn't there the first time making plays and (Kenbrell) Thompkins, who was with the Patriots, making plays for him whenever he throws the ball to him. But Fitz is Fitz. Fitz gets the ball out of his hand and just throwing to his receivers and they're making plays for him."'

'Regardless, Ryan has been forced to eat his words, as his new franchise will continue its NFL-longest drought of non-playoff seasons, stretching to 1999.'

'QB TYROD TAYLOR (100.7) is on pace to join HOFer JIM KELLY (101.2 in 1990) as only Bills with 100+ rating in single season. 1st Bill since JACK KEMP in 1965 with TD rush & TD pass in 3 different games in same season. Taylor leads AFC QBs with 517 rush yards, most ever by Bills QB in season. In past 10, has passed for 2,416 yards with 16 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 100.2 rating & has 433 rush yards & 2 TDs.'

'The depleted Bills roster, combined with the Jets talent, current hot streak, and overall motivation to get to the postseason this year gives them the edge in this contest.'

'But the luster began to wear off as it became obvious that Donahoe had blundered in his coaching choice.'

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'"Well you know I’m in the room and I have not heard one player say one thing while I’ve been around. OK. I don’t read the paper, OK. I promise you that. Especially the local paper and so I don’t know what’s being said. I don’t really care what’s being said. In that room, when they’re with me, everybody’s on board and everybody’s dong what we’re asking them to do."'

'“So it’s not just the New York Jets,” Marshall added. “It’s around the league, it’s universal, and that’s next man up. You don’t know who’s ready to fill in and take advantage of the opportunity, so you can never look down on any opponent who’s depleted.”'

'The chore will, of course, require the line to again be at the very top of its game. And there is reason to think this gritty group will step up to the challenge. As with most offensive linemen, they thrive on a game plan that calls for them to concentrate more on opening holes rather than protecting the passer. They have the capability, mentally and physically, to take the brawling-style approach necessary to control the tempo of the game. They also feed off of the energy of Williams and Gillislee, who are eager to take full advantage of sharing the rushing stage and reminding the Bills they can perform every bit as well – if not better than – the $16-million back not playing.'

'Man, I always had the confidence and belief in myself. It was just a matter of opportunity. I was in Miami, and they had great backs. Unfortunately, last year I got hurt and was on IR. They drafted a running back, released me and I went to Arizona, they had good backs and then they released me. That's when the Bills called, somebody got hurt and I got an opportunity. I'm taking advantage of it right now.'