Archives for January 2018

‘Remember all of that “tank” talk back in August, when the Bills seemed to be trading away all of their talented players to stockpile draft picks that would allow them to build for the future? Remember the widely held assumption that McDermott, the Bills’ first-year coach, would prefer to wait for the team to make the playoffs when he had all of the pieces he felt it needed to have sustained success?’

‘7:53 — Bills fans haven’t experienced anything like this since Bill Clinton was president. The last time Buffalo made it, USB flash drives and iPods didn’t even exist. iPhones came eight years later. We hadn’t heard of Xbox, Harry Potter movies, Lebron James or Sidney Crosby, Crocs or Kanye West.’

‘If Tyrod Taylor played every game like he does against the Dolphins, he’d likely be an All-Pro.’

‘But give the Bills huge props for remaining mentally strong enough to overcome the fact they had put themselves in a difficult position to make the postseason yet ultimately doing what they had to do to benefit from the Ravens’ loss. That’s a credit to coach Sean McDermott and his staff.’

‘The right ankle injury suffered to running back LeSean McCoy in the third quarter is devastating for the Bills’ offense. McCoy has been the Bills’ best offensive player all season. He was hurt at the end of a 3-yard run, and had to be carted off the field after attempting to put weight on his right ankle and nearly collapsing. McCoy was replaced by the combination of Marcus Murphy and Mike Tolbert. Obviously, if the injury is long term, losing McCoy hurts the Bills’ chances in the postseason.’

‘In six Bills games against the Dolphins, Taylor is 4-2. He has averaged 65 percent completions and 239 yards a game passing with 10 TD passes and no interceptions. He has added 228 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. (Taylor’s passing average for all games is 201 yards a game).’

‘Williams has lined up as the lead blocker on the goal line numerous times in his career. Never has he taken the handoff. Sean McDermott and the coaches deserve a medal for that play call.’

‘Dalton, you heard it here first, I love you man, I love you.”’

‘The Bills went three-and-out on their ensuing possession, and Miami came down and scored again on a David Fales keeper with 1:56 left, cutting the deficit to six points. The Dolphins then recovered an onside kick to heighten Bills fans’ nerves, but Poyer came up with the interception to seal the victory.’

‘With backup running back Travaris Cadet injured last week, the Bills were down to Mike Tolbert and Marcus Murphy in the backfield, along with fullback Patrick DiMarco. Murphy was promoted from the practice squad earlier in the week and entered the game with only one career carry, in 2015.’

‘The Bills’ defense, however, had a great quarter, conceding just 24 yards while forcing three punts. Coach Sean McDermott made a gutsy call by taking timeout before a Dolphins’ third and 4 with 1:50 left in the half, and the defense got the stop to give the offense time for one more drive.’

‘After forcing a three-and-out to open the game, the Bills drove 72 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, capped by Tyrod Taylor’s 26-yard touchdown pass. Tight end Nick O’Leary got behind the defense on the play-action bootleg and was wide open in the end zone. CBS cameras showed O’Leary’s grandfather, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, in attendance at the game.’

‘Within an hour, the Buffalo Bills finally make the playoffs after 17 years, and North Korea outlines scenario for using nuclear weapons. Happy New Year!’

‘”I’ve never seen a playoff game in my life,” said Michael Grimaldi, 23, who lives in North Tonawanda and was there with his brother, Jonathan, and Paul, his father. “I was 5 the last time the Bills went to the playoffs. I literally cannot explain how I’m feeling.”‘