Archives for September 2017

'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.'

'“Obviously growing up there I grew up in a Bills family, no question, and as I've been here with the New York Jets, my family has supported us as New York Jets fans in the Buffalo area in the Southern Tier. It's really cool to go back. As a kid being in the stadium with my dad and then being on the field is a really unique opportunity that I relish when we get to go back to Buffalo and play and I have a huge family and I'm very fortunate because they're very supportive. Family and friends back there, they cheer for the Jets and it is a really unique experience and I really do relish that.”'

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'“You saw the game last night and that’s really the start of our season in the NFL,” he said. “I’m very thankful, very thankful for the opportunity, thankful for the support from my family to everyone. Thankful for this building, thankful for the opportunity to lead these players onto the field, and these coaches. Just a long journey. That said, excited about the opportunity. Excited to get in front of our fans. First game of the year, first home game of the season.'

'According to ESPN, the Bills enter Week One tied with four other teams for the third-lowest number of injured players. Not counting McCoy, who returned to practice Thursday after briefly dealing with a stomach bug, but was required to be listed by NFL rules as limited, Buffalo has seven injured players. Quarterback T.J. Yates (concussion), tight end Keith Towbridge (ankle) and wide receiver Jeremy Butler (concussion) are on injured reserve, joining Dareus, Anderson, Worthy and Vallejo.'

'The Bills secondary takes a hit in the athleticism department going from Darby to Gaines, there's no doubting that. But Buffalo's coaching staff pinpointed Gaines as a worthwhile part of the compensation package it received from the Rams in the Sammy Watkins deal, possibly due to what the cornerback put on display as a rookie and his fit in Sean McDermott's zone-based scheme.'

'6-10.'

'So reports of a Chiefs demise appear to have been exaggerated. They might not be a Super Bowl team, but they're still very good. They have won 23 of their last 27 regular-season games. The chances of that draft pick being in the top half seem remote.'