Archives for August 2009

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick went 8-of-11 and Trent Edwards ended 6-of-13 for 31 yards and an interception for the Bills. Marshawn Lynch gained 19 yards on four carries in defeat.’

‘Edwards’ half-hazardly played the whole first half and one drive in the second half. Through all his time on the field, he racked up 31 yards, completing 6-of-13 passes and throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown.’

‘It’s football’s “chicken or egg” — who is more responsible for an offense’s success, the line or the quarterback. You could make an intriguing case for the latter based on the last couple weeks, and maybe even years. Last year the Bills ran for 16 TDs, while passing for just 14. Their passing yardage per game was 20th in the NFL; the rushing, 14th. It is just the preseason, but if your big men can run block, what makes you think they can’t pass block?’

‘”There wasn’t a whole lot good to say about that,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “Really we didn’t do anything on offense.”‘

‘”It’s been great,” Fitzpatrick said. “Just the whole experience of coming to a new place, learning a new offense and getting used to how the wide receivers run routes here, with the different personnel.”‘

‘Buffalo’s number one offense has had 10 possessions and has managed just one drive that resulted in points, a field goal drive against Chicago. The other nine resulted in five punts and four turnovers, and only twice has the number one offense crossed midfield.’

‘"I came back here, because this is where the opportunity was, and I enjoyed the community. I’ve loved it. Had a great time," said Edgerson.’

‘Sources close to the team tell me there’s a growing belief among some coaches on Dick Jauron’s staff that Demetrius Bell should be the left tackle when the regular season opens Sept. 14 against the New England Patriots.’

‘"They’re the champs," said Bills running back Dominic Rhodes. "We have to put our best on the field. If not, we’re going to get run off the field. I want to see us play well against them."’

‘Roethlisberger missed last week’s preseason game with a right foot injury, suffered when left tackle Max Starks fell on top of him during a practice session. He still was icing the foot after practice this week, but the man who has quarterbacked two Super Bowl victories in the past four years is expected to play at least a half against Buffalo.’

‘”When you hold out and miss camp, then you’ve got to start from Square 1,” Fewell said. “He definitely needs all the work he can possibly get. It’s not that he’s not a good player. It’s just timing, chemistry.”‘

‘”Coach and I have talked about him,” said special teams coordinator Bobby April. “He wasn’t ready to do it in the last game. We’ll see how he does ramping up to this week’s game. We’ll see if we can give him the opportunity to perform."’

‘"Once I sat down with the coaches and they told me what they were trying to do, I knew it would be a good fit," the former Indianapolis Colts starter said. "Talking with the running backs coach, he told me how many balls Fred [Jackson] and Marshawn caught last year. I knew that would be perfect for me because in Indy I caught a lot of balls. It fits my skills."’

‘"Watching him, he looked like he moved well," said coach Dick Jauron. "It was a good sign. Now we’ll just see how he feels."’