Archives for September 10, 2017

'And even though Beane and McDermott took the snow globe and shook it until 70 percent of the players on the active roster or some reserve list had their handprints on them, the Bills will line up against the New York Jets on Sunday at New Era Field with 60 percent of Whaley’s and Ryan’s 7-9 starting lineup.'

'“We have 16 games to prove what type of team the 2017 Bills are … this is the first step,” veteran guard Richie Incognito said of today’s game. “We’re going to come out of the gates red hot. We have a lot to prove to ourselves, and that’s all that matters. We’ve been working hard, we’ve been doing all the right things, and now it’s time to test it against a quality division opponent.”'

'Most Bills fans don’t see Taylor as a franchise quarterback and merely view him as the guy keeping the seat warm until the 2018 draft when Buffalo grabs one of the five touted QBs – Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Rosen (UCLA), Josh Allen (Wyoming), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) or Luke Falk (Washington State) – in a lottery unusually rich at the position.'

'The Jets are a shell of the team that swept the Bills last season. The starting quarterback and all three of the team's top receivers from 2016 are all gone. That leaves Josh McCown at quarterback and a cast of inexperienced and uninspiring wide receivers for him to worth with. When the Jets have the ball, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell are the players to worry about. The pair of versatile backs will be New York's only chance of moving the ball.'

'"The biggest challenge is not understanding who you are," Byrd said. "We always tend to look at who the opponent is, but we have to look at, 'Who am I? What do I bring to the table? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses?' Give a self scout. When you can start doing that and give an honest assessment of who you are and knowing how teams will try to attack you, then you're going to develop a lot faster."'

'Tre'Davious White is locked in as the Bills' No. 1 cornerback. White is expected to be tested often this season, but he'll gain plenty of experience as a rookie. Some rookie mistakes will occur, but Buffalo needs White to step up in his first season.'

'In addition to Christie and Metzelaars, the Bills are expected to welcome back Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Darryl Talley and Don Beebe among others. More than 25 former Bills players from the 1992 team are expected to be in attendance.'

'Both teams open their season in Orchard Park on Sunday.'

'Now, there are still a lot of questions regarding Taylor and his long-term outlook with the Bills organization, but the team seems to feel confident that he can be an impact player in this offense. I’d expect to see Taylor on the move a fair bit — maybe not with zone-read like in year’s past — but enough to get him a lot more comfortable than in the preseason.'

'These changes began this past week at the U2 concert and will continue throughout the Bills season.'

'Offensively, the Jets aren't ready for this game. QB Josh McCown played only three series in the preseason and his two most accomplished receivers, Jermaine Kearse and Jeremy Kerley, arrived only this week. The offensive line, which also didn't get a lot of quality reps, will struggle against Buffalo's front four. The Jets will struggle to score, and their defense will wear down in the fourth quarter after being on the field so long. Bills 24, Jets 13 — Rich Cimini'

'The Bills have an all-time home record of 32-24 against the New York Jets. Buffalo will be looking to beat New York for the fourth time in the last five matchups at New Era Field.'

'Quarterbacks beware. Under the direction of Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and head coach Sean McDermott, the Bills defense has found itself in familiar and unforgiving territory, in a 4-3 defense. For Buffalo’s front four, this is great news. For their opposition, however, not so much. In 2014, the last time the Bills ran a 4-3, sacks were aplenty, totaling 54 on the season. Buckle up, Bills fans. You could be in for quite the ride on Sunday.'

'Bills offensive lineman, Vladimir Ducasse, spent the first 14 years of his life in Haiti. The small island country is located on the Caribbean Sea, where Irma was doing unprecedented damage late this week. The impoverished country is still recovering from the devastation of a hurricane from October 2016.'