Archives for December 2016

'“It’s a weekly game trailer made by the Bills’ digital team earlier this week for Week 17 against the New York Jets,” a Bills’ spokesperson told The Post. “It is not a season highlight video.”'

'Taylor returned to practice Friday and appeared to take third-string repetitions. He was not listed on the injury report. Rookie quarterback Cardale Jones — who has been inactive all season — took second-string reps at practice this week and may be the backup Sunday.'

'"The talent is definitely here," McCoy said. "It's the small part. It's about being disciplined as a team. There's no reason why we should be high in penalties. There's no reason why we should be high in missed opportunities, missed mistakes. It shouldn't happen. I think that's the difference."

'Gilmore was hurt during overtime of Buffalo's 34-31 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Saturday and did not practice all week. He has started all 15 games this season and is set to become a free agent after the season.'

'The Bills have averaged 27 points per game and regained their status as the NFL's top rushing team since Lynn took control of the offense. But poor defensive play and missed field goal attempts prevented the Bills from ending their 17-year playoff drought, the longest in North American sports. Those factors also contributed to Ryan's exit.'

'"Then the coaches have to be hard on us, not scared of us. Get at us, yell at us, curse at us. Whatever to get the player to do that job the best he can, that's what they need to do."'

'That's some impressive editing considering 1.) no one touches the football more than Tyrod on a given week, 2.) there were multiple touchdown passes thrown and 3.) Taylor was one of the team's five best players this year.'

'"The ability to teach to get across within the framework of his own personality," Levy said. "Secondly, a man who is going to work well with others in the organization because a total organization wins … and third be a straight shooter. That's very important and I'll give you one more. Only bring in players of solid character. Ability without character will lose."'

'After two years as Buffalo GM, Levy retired once more after the 2007 season. Now, more than a decade later, he’s once again in the mix as the Bills look for a leader to bring them back to respectability. Truly, history repeats itself over and over.'

'EJ Manuel will start at QB for Taylor, who has an injury guarantee in his contract that would force the team to pay roughly $30 million if he were to get hurt severe enough to last into the new league year in March. That would be the case even if the Bills decline to pick up his full contract extension. If the Bills decide they don't want to exercise the extension, he will become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any other team.'

'"You know, we're played a lot of money to come here and play a sport that we've been playing since we were children. The small things — being on time, being dialed in as far as assignments. There's so many times where it happens on the field where it's a blown assignment — it may be a sack, it may be a touchdown — and everybody's looking at each other. Nah, dial in, know your job so we don't have that. I mean, every once in a while you might have a blown mistake on the field — it just happens, but not all the time."'

'And, the admissions are too little too late for this team. To be talking about accountability and discipline in Week 17 when it was clearly lacking dating all the way back to last season?'

'“He’s right I think discipline has been an issue,” said McCoy of Watkins opinion. “I just think that players have to take accountability for their own actions. It’s one thing to talk about discipline and guys who are not balling. But if they’re not doing it you can’t really take their credibility (seriously). As professionals and as players we have to step up and be accountable. That is the biggest issue.”'

'Williams is one of the Jets who is still playing hard right to the end of the season. Jordan Mills is coming off a steady performance against Cameron Wake. He’ll need to adjust his approach against the powerful Williams.'

'“I think it’s just playing the game fast,” Watkins said. “You know he’s going to be a little more jittery and he’s going to throw it out there further. By not having timing I told him I’d rather have you over throw me than underthrow me. So I think he’s going to be prepared. He’s going to gun it. He’s going to go out there and throw the ball and whether he throws a pick or two he’s going to throw those chancy balls. That’s what you look forward to those 50-50 balls.”'