‘“Obviously we’re expecting their best shot, we’re ready for anything,” DeFilippo said. “I talked to the players about just following our base rules in protection, be ready for the unscouted look. I’m sure they’re going to have something for us that we haven’t seen, there’s no doubt. Coach McDermott has got the reputation he has for a reason, and he’s a darn good coach. Hopefully we’ll be ready for whatever he throws at us.”’
Archives for September 2018
LeSean McCoy’s ex doubles reward, seeking answers in home invasion
‘Cordon and her attorney, Tanya Mitchell Graham, on Thursday offered a reward of $20,000, but said other well-wishers and friends had added another $20,000 to the reward.’
Bills don’t want to add to Vikings’ historic success on third down
‘Not only did Minnesota lead the NFL in third-down defense last season, the Vikings posted the best percentage on third downs of any team in at least the last 42 years, since 1975.’
Vic Carucci’s Take Five: Vikings’ defensive front, receivers figure to be too much for Bills to handle
‘Ryan Groy is struggling at center, but the larger issues appear to be at guard. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Bills decided to replace Groy with Russell Bodine, not so much because Bodine is a better center, but because it would allow them to move Groy to either left or right guard. The biggest problem area seems to be with John Miller at right guard.’
Bills forced into ‘big nickel’ vs. Chargers, and the personnel package flops again
‘The numbers for big nickel through two games are brutal. Rivers, Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson combined to complete 31 of 36 passes (86.1 percent) for 336 yards (9.3 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns through the air. That equates to a quarterback rating of 133.3.’
After just two games, Buffalo Bills are back to being an NFL doormat
‘Two weeks into the 2018 season, the Bills are once again a laughingstock, a team that looks completely incapable of winning a single game let alone repeating its shocking run to the postseason.’
Roth: Bills coach Sean McDermott needs to let Leslie Frazier do his job
‘After McDermott grabbed the Madden 2018 joystick, the Bills played lights out in the second half against the Chargers, limiting them to 62 net yards and three points on 24 plays vs. 284 yards and 28 points on 31 plays when Frazier was in charge.’
Bills vs. Vikings: How to watch, listen, plus things to know before kickoff
‘The case being made by the Las Vegas oddsmakers this week is a compelling one. The Vikings are clearly one of the best teams in the NFL, the Bills are one of the worst, and the game is in Minnesota where the Vikings have played very well. They are 12-5 since their new stadium opened in 2016, and have won their last six games there by an average margin of 14.3 points.’
Jordan Poyer, Lafayette Pitts on how to deal with Kirk Cousins, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen
‘”Each week you got to play and expect to play at your best,” Poyer said Friday after practice. “I thought we had a good week of practice, especially coming off the type of loss we had last week (against the Los Angeles Chargers). I thought we came in focused. We understand their threats and how they try and distribute the football. I don’t think you change your mindset you just up your expectations a little bit.”‘
Everson Griffen, Dalvin Cook ruled out Sunday for Vikings vs. Bills
‘”I know how Coach Zimmer – I have a pretty good feel, I should say, for how coach Zimmer builds (his defense) as it’s similar to the way we build our defense starting up front,” McDermott said. “They’ve been around each other for quite some time in terms of their continuity. This is a veteran team in a lot of ways and they’re a well-respected team and a well-respected opponent.”‘
Who calls defensive plays for Buffalo Bills, and 7 more things to watch vs. Vikings
‘Sean McDermott took over defensive play-calling in the second half of the Bills’ Week 2 game. McDermott made the change to give the defense a spark, but he didn’t say who would be calling plays on defense in Week 3.’
David Amerson, Tony Lippett among seven players who worked out for Buffalo Bills
‘Cornerback may be the Bills’ biggest need following Week 2. The Bills entered the game with rookie Taron Johnson inactive due to a shoulder injury. During the contest, Buffalo saw Phillip Gaines suffer an elbow injury and veteran Vontae Davis retired at halftime. By the end of the contest, Buffalo was left with Tre’Davious White and Lafayette Pitts. Buffalo addressed the position earlier in the week by promoting Ryan Lewis from their practice squad, but looking at outside options is never a bad idea.’
Saturday’s Minnesota Coverage
Is Dan Bailey the stable, productive kicker the Vikings have missed since Mike Zimmer’s arrival? (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Vikings center Pat Elflein expected to make his season debut vs. the Bills (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Vikings center Pat Elflein to return Sunday after working way back from injuries (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)
Vikings DE Stephen Weatherly to replace Everson Griffen, RB Dalvin Cook also out (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)
Vikings ‘repeat offender’ Andrew Sendejo fined $53,482 for hit at Green Bay (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)
Vikings WR Laquon Treadwell insists dislocated finger won’t hamper him (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)
Vikings’ Sendejo fined $53,482 by NFL for hit vs. Packers (AP)
RB Cook, DE Griffen out for Vikings (The Sports Xchange)
Vikings’ Dalvin Cook (hamstring) to sit out vs. Bills (ESPN)
Vikings will be without both Everson Griffen and Dalvin Cook when they host the Bills (CBS Sports)
Dalvin Cook, Everson Griffen ruled out vs Buffalo Bills (KMSP-TV)
Vikings C Elflein ready to return after long offseason recoveryr (KSTP-AM)
Cook and Griffen out, Elflein will ‘have a role’ for Vikings vs. Bills (KSTP-AM)
Will Vikings’ patience with Laquon Treadwell pay off? (KSTP-AM)
Pat Elflein Ready to Make 2018 Season Debut (Vikings.com)
Zimmer Rules Out Cook, Griffen; Says Elflein Will Play vs. Bills (Vikings.com)
Notebook: Weatherly, Bower Ready for Extra Reps in Griffen’s Absence (Vikings.com)
The Skinny Post: Vikings, Bills Meet in Week 3 Matchup (Vikings.com)
Transcript: Zimmer Addressed the Media on Friday (Vikings.com)
What’d They Say: Bills Talk About Vikings (Vikings.com)
$40K reward offered in N. Fulton beating, robbery of LeSean McCoy’s ex
‘Delicia Cordon and her lawyer announced the award during a press conference Friday for anyone who can help police arrest the man who beat her in the face with a gun and stole jewelry that McCoy had given her.’
LeSean McCoy’s ex-girlfriend speaks out about assault claims: ‘Every day I live my life in fear’
‘“Every day I live my life in fear, not knowing if I’m walking past the man who savagely attacked me,” Cordon said. “It is unfair that I have to be afraid to do normal things like grocery shop. I have panic attacks. I can’t sleep at night, I can’t. I don’t feel comfort protecting my children. I have my daughter sleep in the bed with me every night. LeSean said that he was going to deal with all of this after his season. I don’t have that option. I have to deal with this every day.’