‘“Matt is a guy that has consistently gained confidence in himself, in the scheme. I think his production and his play has exemplified that on the field since he’s gotten here,” veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said. “He’s a guy that’s humble, eager to learn and always taking advice, whether it’s from a veteran player like myself or the coaching staff. He’s been dialed in since Day One. Great to see him get his opportunity because he was doing a great job on special teams, and filling in as a rotational guy. Now, he’s the guy.”’
Archives for December 15, 2017
Bills Notebook: Secondary limiting big plays, injury report looking better, Jordan Matthews has surgery
‘The Bills have given up just 11 passing touchdowns, which leads the league. Stills, Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker have combined for 178 catches, 1,950 yards and 15 touchdowns.’
Mark Gaughan’s X’s and O’s: Drake could give Bills Ajayi nightmares
‘Miami ranks 29th in the NFL in rushing yards but comes to Buffalo on a running roll. Drake rushed for 114 yards on New England Monday night and had 120 on Denver the week before. He’s averaging 5.1 yards a carry since the Ajayi trade.’
Dolphins coach on what he learned from watching Bills-Colts snow game: ‘Nothing’
‘Now, last week was crazy (in Buffalo). I only can think of one other game where when I turned the game on and saw guys look like they were going a foot down, I started thinking, ‘What would I be calling here?’ (laughter) I thought both teams did an outstanding job of trying to find ways to move the ball. I thought (Bills Head Coach) Sean (McDermott) was extremely smart in how he played everything. I know, at the time, everybody thought him punting the ball wasn’t a good idea; but that was a smart move.”’
If Sunday is Kyle Williams’ final home game for the Bills, it’s a sad day indeed
‘“I don’t want to think about it at this point because it could become a distraction for all the things we’ve got going on right now,” Williams said, putting team first, as always. “I’ll worry about that later. I’m not going to make it about me and I’m not going to think about it in those terms. I’m going to go out, it’s our last home game of the season, and we’re going to try and beat the Dolphins.”’
Buffalo Bills injury news: Updates on Jordan Matthews, Kelvin Benjamin, Nate Peterman
‘The Bills also listed both Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman as full participants at practice on Thursday. Taylor missed last week with a knee injury, while Peterman left the game with a concussion. Sean McDermott said Peterman remains in the concussion protocol, despite him practicing in full. LeSean McCoy also practiced in full with knee soreness.’
What Dolphins’ Adam Gase had to say about Sean McDermott’s Buffalo Bills’ defense
‘”They look like they’re playing extremely confident. They’re finding ways to put pressure on the quarterback and it might not necessarily be by sacks. Something that we talk about here all of the time, it’s really about pass disruptions. It’s about sacks, hits and pressures. You see a lot of the time the quarterback is throwing the ball earlier than they want to.”‘
Could Buffalo Bills’ game against the Dolphins be Kyle Williams’ final home game?
‘”I try not to think about it, or I don’t think about it just because of, it’s a distraction for me mentally,” Williams said. “There’s enough trouble in the day of getting ready for the Dolphins and trying to finish this strong and get to where we want to go and accomplish our goals. I’m not going to make it about me and I’m not going to think about it in those terms. I’m going to go out, it’s our last home game of the season, and we’re going to try and beat the Dolphins.”‘
5 things to watch for as the Bills host the Dolphins
‘Tyrod’s knee: The Bills will have quarterback Tyrod Taylor back under center on Sunday against the Dolphins, probably. Taylor, after missing last week’s snow-bowl against the Colts due to a knee injury, has been a full participant in practice this week. Nathan Peterman, who started in place of Taylor, suffered a concussion but appears to be trending in the right direction to backup Taylor. However, with Taylor mobility, it might be worth a watch to see how his knee holds up or limits him at all.’
Friday’s Miami Coverage
Graybeard Jay Cutler is playing his best ball of 2017. So will he play in 2018? (Miami Herald)
The Dolphins wanted more from Landry. He delivered — and now they want him long term. (Miami Herald)
Injury news and notes, a beard controversy and perhaps Suh’s most impressive feat yet (Miami Herald)
Were the Patriots dirty Monday? ‘If you want to call it classless, you can do that’ (Miami Herald)
Dolphins receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills (14 TDs) are approaching Clayton-Duper territory (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Jay Cutler says his beard is staying as long as Dolphins keep winning (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Kenny Stills: Dolphins haven’t lost faith in WR DeVante Parker (Palm Beach Post)
Dolphins’ Jermon Bushrod stares down possible final chapter of career (Palm Beach Post)
Why Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh played every single defensive snap on Monday (Palm Beach Post)
Miami Dolphins’ Jay Cutler shows he’s more comfortable, on and off the field (Palm Beach Post)
Miami Dolphins: How Adam Gase crushed play design and calls vs. Pats (Palm Beach Post)
Why the Miami Dolphins played more press and man coverage (Palm Beach Post)
Miami Dolphins’ Jakeem Grant: I’m a receiver first, not a return specialist (Palm Beach Post)
Season-opening drop in 2016 stays with Dolphins WR Kenny Stills as motivation (Palm Beach Post)
Dave George: Adam Gase adept at handling week-to-week chaos (Palm Beach Post)
Mike Pouncey: Beating Patriots huge for Dolphins’ entire organization (Palm Beach Post)
Dolphins ponder game plan as they brace for winter weather at Bills (Palm Beach Post)
What Dolphins DC Matt Burke was thinking when this amazing photo was snapped (Palm Beach Post)
Developing: Miami Dolphins injury news involving key players (Palm Beach Post)
What Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke said Thursday before Bills game (Palm Beach Post)
What Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said Thursday (Bills week) (Palm Beach Post)
In an instant, Miami Dolphins’ Michael Thomas made right call to seal victory (Palm Beach Post)
Report: Dolphins Seek Long Term Deal For Jarvis Landry (WFOR-TV)
Thursday’s Dolphins – Bills Injury Report (MiamiDolphins.com)
I Said It: December 14, 2017 (MiamiDolphins.com)
Top News: Buffalo Weather Report & Suh’s Snaps (MiamiDolphins.com)
Matchup Memories: Dolphins – Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)
Cover 3: Fins | Football | Pop Culture (MiamiDolphins.com)
AC in the AM: Stills Making Impact On And Off The Field (MiamiDolphins.com)
10,000 yards not enough for Bills’ McCoy; 12K is new goal
‘In his ninth season, McCoy has 9,961 yards rushing and is on the cusp of becoming the 30th player to reach 10,000 in a milestone he can hit as early as Sunday, when Buffalo (7-6) hosts Miami (6-7).’
Williams focused on Bills beating Miami, not future plans
‘”I’m not going to make it about me, and I’m not going to think about it in those terms,” Williams added. “There’s enough trouble in the day of getting ready for the Dolphins and trying to finish this strong and get to where we want to go.”‘
Dolphins-Bills Capsule
‘Bills have allowed 140 or more yards rushing in five of past six and six contests overall this season.’
Week 15 Game Scout: Dolphins at Bills
‘Bills, 20-17.’
Taylor, Peterman both full participants in Thursday’s practice
‘Bills’ quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman were both full participants in Thursday’s practice, although Peterman remains in the league’s concussion protocol and head coach Sean McDermott still hasn’t committed to Taylor being ready to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.’