Archives for November 5, 2009

‘"Right now, before we talk about red zone and all that other stuff, it’s staying on the field and keeping our defense off the field and the third down stuff will be a big deal just because every time you convert a third down you get three more plays," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who went 2-1 starting in relief of Trent Edwards (concussion), who is expected to start at Tennessee on Nov. 15.’

‘With starter Keith Ellison hobbled by a sore quad, SS Bryan Scott took some practice snaps at outside linebacker this week. The Bills have been hit hard by injuries at linebacker. "I think it’s more just in case of emergency and make sure that I’m prepared," said Scott, who at 6-foot-1, 219 pounds has the size to fill in on a temporary basis if needed. "I probably won’t have to do it, but just in case, you want to be ready."’

‘"I’m feeling all right; I’ll be fine," Byrd said. "It’s been a couple weeks that it’s been nagging at me. The trainers have done a good job getting me through and prepared to go to games. I’m excited we have a bye week so I can try to get healthy and get back on track."’

‘”Third down was definitely the key,” said Lee Evans. “We left our defense out there for a lot of plays the last few weeks. If we can handle third down and we were in a lot of manageable situations last week, if we can handle third down we’ll be a little bit better offensively.”‘

‘If Edwards gets rid of his hesitation to throw downfield and shows dramatic improvement the rest of the way, he’d have a chance of starting for Buffalo again next season. However, if he continues to be "Captain Checkdown" and fails to move the team through the air, it’s very possible that the Bills could address the quarterback position early in next year’s draft. Add in the fact that one of Edwards’ main supporters, head coach Dick Jauron, is unlikely to be back next season, and the pressure is really on for the QB to come through in the final two months.’

‘L ast week on Tuesday morning, I waited for my favorite player, Buffalo Bills linebacker Paul Posluszny, and his special event limousine to arrive at my house.My mother made breakfast because of the company. My neighbors came over to see Posluszny before we left for school. Everyone was really excited!’

‘"I’m just going to kind of relax. I may go through Dallas and then go on to L.A. and just try to get a little relaxation in. I think at this point in time with the season, especially with this team, we’ve had so many injuries, this team needs a break. I think we’ve had a lot of guys dinged up a little bit. Maybe we can come back refreshed a little bit, and maybe that will be the key for us."’

‘Owens is now in Buffalo, where the acrimony is over why the Bills stink and when they will stop stinking.’

‘And, as much as Buffalo’s offense deserves criticism, the preoccupation with its ineptitude has stolen the credit coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense deserves.’