Olean Times Herald

‘When asked if Shurmur’s comments were a motivator – even though they were posted on the Buffalo locker room’s video board, McDermott maintained, “No … look, our guys are focused on the process and I’m extremely proud of the way they handled (the perceived disrespect). We’re moving forward.”’

‘Thus far this season the Bills have scored six touchdowns and their drives, in order, have been 85, 80, 75, 70, 98 and 75 yards.’

‘And when Buffalo coach Sean McDermott was asked if his team might have had a slight edge playing in the same road stadium in back-to-back weeks, he allowed, “I don’t know. That’s for you (media) guys to write about and talk about. We’re just trying to win a game.”’

‘But why would he take that shot before the two teams are about to play … especially coming off an embarrassing road loss?’

‘“Now we’re getting into the weeds here a little bit, Feature back, No. 1 back? How about just running back?” What about Gore? “He’s one of our running backs,” McDermott said.’

‘It was an unexpected win in the season opener, a bit lucky to be sure, but a hard-to-miss show of character for a Buffalo team that seemed doomed to start the campaign with an embarrassing loss.’

‘“We were moving the ball well (167 yards to the Jets 104 before intermission) but I put the ball in a couple of spots where it shouldn’t have been. We got lucky with some and some went the other way. But our defense was playing fantastic and we knew we were going to have a shot in the second half.”’

‘The second turnover occurred when an Allen pass went through the hands of wide receiver Cole Beasley and was picked off by linebacker C.J. Mosley, the free agent from Baltimore, who returned it 17 yards for a “pick six.” Later, Mosley recovered an Allen fumble on a 4th-and-1 play. Finally, late in the first half, an Allen pass was deflected by New York defensive lineman Henry Andereson and intercepted by linebacker Neville Hewitt.’

‘“Opening week is awesome … whether you’re on the road or at home,” Daboll admitted. “There are always environments that you have to deal with. In our case, we’ve got to go on the road to a tough place to play. (Jets fans) get pretty loud.”‘

‘Given the forgiving schedule, let’s call it 8-8.’

‘Starter Josh Allen had an average rookie season after being drafted seventh in the first round. He had issues with accuracy, as in college, but in fairness, he was burdened with a weak receiving corps and sub-standard offensive line. The expectation is that he’ll take a step up … we’ll see.’

‘How many players remain from the Bills roster when coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane took over the roster in 2017? Give up? How about four … three defenders and a special teamer.’

‘There’S no guarantee McCoy would have returned to form, but whether Gore, ancient for an RB at 36, Devin Singletary, an elusive but untested draft choice, and inconsistent veteran T.J. Yeldon can generate a viable ground game for the Bills is an open question.’

‘Eddie Yarbrough, an undrafted free agent defensive end who made the team two seasons ago, seemed at risk this year with Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson and rookie seventh-round draft choice Darryl Johnson all roster locks. If the Bills kept a fifth end, it appeared that Mike Love would earn the job. However, he suffered a pectoral injury last week at Detroit and went on injured reserve Wednesday. That put Yarbrough back in contention for the No. 5 spot, and he made himself a viable candidate with 10 tackles — seven of them solos — against the Vikings. That, and his special teams contribution, might just keep him on the roster.’

‘Is it too early to wonder if the Bills made a mistake with their top draft choice last spring … that this isn’t the player he was touted to be?’