Archives for December 27, 2016

'Also coming to New Era Field next season will be the Broncos, Raiders, Saints, Buccaneers and either the Colts or Titans, whichever team finishes third in the AFC South. The remainder of the Bills’ road schedule is Kansas City, San Diego, Atlanta, Carolina and Cincinnati.'

'"As a coach, I just want to win. I think these players deserve it," he added. "I don’t think it’s in the best interests of our team, you know, not to play Tyrod.'

'Gilmore, the 10th overall pick of the 2012 draft, is expected to seek a contract ranking near the top of the league at his position. His fifth-year option paid him over $11 million this season.'

'"It's my responsibility. That's all I'll say," Ryan said. "It's my responsibility, like everything is 100 percent on that field. Every bit of it is my responsibility. I've got broad shoulders. I'll own up to it, and I'll take it. Every bit of it, but I know what happened."'

'"I never saw it on tape. I’m aware of that being out there but I never saw it on tape," Ryan said. " … I’ll be honest, when guys start flying around, I’ve been hit before. So I think anything’s possible in that situation, but whether he ends up head butting somebody on purpose, I think that would be, that’s almost hard to believe."'

'They should treat it as a pointless exercise, too. There's nothing to gain with a win Sunday, except another .500 season and a worse position in the draft. That's why the Bills should do everything in their power to lose against the Jets in what figures to be Rex Ryan's final game as head man.'

'But then to come up short and then the magnitude of the game is painful. Obviously it’s a loss that you lose sleep over and for myself, questioning things and what we should have done different or whatever. I can say this, a hell of a lot easier to do that in hindsight than it is at the moment it happens, but obviously this is the toughest defeat I’ve taken to this point as a Bills coach.'

' It was bad enough that Carpenter missed two field goals, including a 45-yarder in overtime, but to then duck out of the locker room before it was open to reporters made things even worse. How about standing there and answering a couple questions about what happened on those attempts? It was an all-around weak showing by the Bills' kicker.'

'“That’s a loss that you lose sleep over,” Ryan said Monday afternoon. “For myself, questioning things and what we should have done different or whatever. I can say this, it’s a hell of a lot easier to do that in hindsight than it is the moment it happens. To say that this is obviously the toughest defeat that I’ve taken to this point as the Bills coach, they all hurt, but this one especially.”'

'And if Ryan is axed, as expected, do owners Terry and Kim Pegula really want Whaley, who has had tenuous relationships with both Marrone and Ryan, picking the next coach too?'

'"You know, when you look at, you gave up 200 yards, albeit we gave up 60 on a play when there's 10 guys out there, which is my responsibility, I'm responsible for everything," Rex said. "But everybody professionally has a job to do. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen, and it should have never happened, but it did happen. And it cost us the game. That's how I look at it. That play right there contributed mightily in costing us the football game."'

'But he is responsible. Ryan put those people in a position of power. It’s a tough break for Ryan that it looks bad on him, but it does.'

'Exactly who was to blame for the massive communication gaffe, Ryan wouldn’t say on Monday. But he wanted everyone to know there is a ‘someone.’'

'Now, you have to wonder whether this is it for Ryan as a head coach, whether he’ll slip seamlessly into the waiting network TV booth. Head coaches who’ve been fired twice in less than three years and who’ve coached six consecutive seasons without a playoff berth usually are not a hot commodity.

'The one major issue unsettled is Ryan's status as coach , a decision that rests with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula. Ryan left it to the Pegulas in dismissing a question whether it's fair to judge a coach after just two seasons.'