Archives for December 25, 2016

'"Whatever happens, happens," he said. "But I'm going to tell you this that I'll stand by my reputation. Let's put it that way."'

'Bills defensive lineman Leger Douzable said the players — and not Ryan — are to blame for the loss because of missed tackles. "The players need to take ownership," he said. "I understand if guys were nowhere near the ball to make a play. But guys were in position to make them."'

'The Bills set a franchise record with 589 yards of offense.'

'After leading the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons, Ryan is now the fourth coach since the merger to miss the playoffs in six consecutive seasons.'

'"The guy [Hittner] on the sideline who was standing next to Coach [Ryan] said that Coach had not called timeout before the snap," Wrolstad said, adding the play was not reviewable. "So he called timeout evidently after the ball was snapped or that is when our guy heard him or acknowledged him after the snap."'

'That’s why you can’t punt. You just can’t.'

'“That’s interesting,” Ryan responded. “Obviously he never called it, he never blew it dead. I was yelling at him. I went over to him. I’m sure you saw our players trying to call the timeout, trying to put our field-goal block team on the field.'

'An ability to execute defensive fundamentals — Ryan's hallmark — and make tackles and scrape together any semblance of a run defense is what they lack. They once again found a way to lose, thus ensuring yet another season without a winning record, and provided more ammunition to the many who want Rex and his brother Rob, the defensive coordinator, out of the building.'

'After the Bills missed a field goal and punted late in overtime, the Dolphins ended the game with a late field goal to beat the Bills, 34-31. With the loss, the Bills have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.'

'On the morning of Christmas Eve, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed what WGR’s Sal Capaccio has been reporting for weeks, that there’s no decision yet on Rex Ryan's fate.'

'Buffalo won the coin toss and marched down the field, but Dan Carpenter's second missed field goal of the day gave the ball back to Miami with a chance to secure the win. The Bills forced the Dolphins to punt, and had yet another chance to close out the game. They couldn't convert, and opted to punt on a crucial fourth down, giving the ball back to the Dolphins.'

'The Bills, at their own 41-yard line with only 4:09 left to play in overtime made the decision to punt on a 4th-and-3 opportunity.'

'it looked like Tyrod Taylor had delivered a present for Bills fans late.'

'What made Ajayi’s performance even more devastating is that he had gained 214 yards in his first meeting vs. the Bills, so the gameplan this time around was built on devoting extra men to stop him. “He got 200 yards on us again,’’ said Bills defensive back Corey Graham, shaking his head. “I mean, come on, man. We got eight, nine guys in the box and we still can stop him.”'

'I was hoping for a Christmas miracle and a big 4th quarter comeback win from Taylor and co. When Clay caught that TD pass I thought maybe I will be able to enjoy my Christmas Eve and first night of Hanukkah. Of course the football gods give and then quickly take it away. Franks somehow hit his career long 55 yard field goal while the Bills were trying to call timeout after he ran on the field with no timeouts left. Then to not rip out the heart of every Bills fans anymore, Carpenter misses his second field goal and then Ajayi beats them. What has Bills fans done to deserve this? The playoff drought is now officially 17 years in a row and it came in the most heartbreaking fashion you can imagine. A record setting offensive day was ruined by a desire not to lose by Rex. Well, he not only lost because of his playcalling he likely sealed his fate.'