Archives for December 2009

‘So… at least the 71 people worldwide who think Ryan Fitzpatrick has a shot to be the future of the Bills now know better, and tell me that offense didn’t look Dick Jauron-esque tonight. There will still be time to evaluate who the next coach should be, and if Perry Fewell deserves a look, but I promise you the Bills need better offense before anything else, and that starts with quarterback, not coach. In fact, if I could only select one, I’d rather have a new general manager than a new head coach.’

‘Perry Fewell has an engaging personality, and he still may be in the conversation by the end of the season, but it would be a lot better if Fewell could also play on the offensive line and at linebacker.’

‘”They had a very good third down pressure package and they caused a little confusion as an offense,” said offensive tackle Jonathan Scott. “I just didn’t think we had enough time to make those adjustments because we were aware of it and did a lot of film study, but it was unfortunate that we couldn’t get into what we wanted.”‘

‘Pick whatever adjective you like to describe the way the Bills played: Dull, boring, lackluster, lethargic. You can also use those adjectives to describe the entire contest. It was a mirror image of the atmosphere inside the dome. Yes, there were definitely more Bills fans this year than last year but the result and the look of the game was eerily similar.’

‘Coaching: Grade D: Disappointing loss after Sunday’s win.’

‘McGee had missed the past three games because of a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery during the bye week. He didn’t start, however, as Reggie Corner began the game.’

‘When asked if he’d prefer to play tonight’s game at “The Ralph,” wide receiver Lee Evans admitted, “Absolutely. A lot of people made a big deal last year because it was the Dolphins up there instead of here. But the reality of it is, it’s a division game, and it’s going to be a tough game regardless of where you play it. Obviously we’d like to have them in Ralph Wilson Stadium, but regardless of where it is, you still have to play well to win."’

‘Bills fan Matt Irving grabbed a few of the freebies Sunday. Friend and fellow Bills loyalist Joshua Fitzgerald scanned a copy and posted it on the fan message board at TwoBillsDrive.com.’

‘Neutralize Thomas Jones: Completely shutting down the Jets’ feature back might be a bit unrealistic, but if they can hold Thomas Jones to around 100 yards and not give up any long runs, similar to their performance last week they’ll have a good chance of coming out on top. Yes, Ricky Williams rushed for 115 yards last week, but his longest carry went for just 11. That kind of performance by Buffalo’s run defense could be enough to put the Bills in position to win.’

‘Many a cry has been made for the Bills to consider Bill Cowher, and those cries are appropriate. He is a leader and when he speaks, the locker room listens. Plus, his experience just gleams success.’

‘The atmosphere: Maybe it’s the lack of widespread alcohol- fueled tailgating. Or the more polite nature of the Canadian sports fan. Or the lack of passionate rooting. Whatever the reason, the atmosphere hasn’t seem charged for the two previous Bills games, according to multiple reports.’

‘"Fans have to come in and decide that they’re going to cheer for the home team," Wilson continued, "and we have to come out and give the fans a spark and something to cheer for as opposed to coming out flat and have everyone turn against us."’

‘But if you have cable in the Rochester market, you’re not allowed to watch tonight’s game on your own TV.’

‘Does Perry Fewell have any more tricks up his sleeve? The interim head coach has showed an aggressive nature in his first two games, particularly last week against Miami. Is that because he’s trying to impress the Bills’ hierarchy, or is this who he is?’

‘"I just think the players had an attitude," he said of Sunday’s wild finish. "We’ve been talking about finishing. We’ve been practicing to finish offensively, defensively and special-teams wise and that’s what we did. We were very fortunate that the guys rose up to the challenge."’