Archives for October 2010

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick could very well be your starting quarterback to start 2011 – provided there’s a season – regardless of where and who the Bills pick. For every guy given the keys after the driver’s test, there’s an utter and overwhelmed failure. Sam Bradford or Peyton Manning aren’t the exception to the rule, but neither are David Carr and Jamarcus Russell. To be sure, there is no sure thing.’

‘Which brings us to the defense. Wow, are they bad. Only Jacksonville, 209, and Denver, 199 have given up more points than the Bills 198. The Jags and Broncos have each played 7 games as they have yet to have their bye weeks. The Bills can’t stop the run, rush the passer, cover, or take it away.

‘The fact that Maybin has fallen behind a sixth round draft pick that was a Division-FCS defensive end, turned inside linebacker, turned outside linebacker and an undrafted rookie free agent defensive end turned outside linebacker, sends as big a message as any.’

‘”He’s hard to handle in one-on-one situations and he has some subtle moves that allow him to get away from people from time to time and he’s got excellent hands,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Johnson. “He’s starting to develop, just as Roscoe continues to develop and Lee does. And David Nelson made some big catches. We need to keep all the threats viable. I love it to be balanced between all of those guys as much as we possibly can.”‘

‘It’s hard to suppress the cynicism in light of another loss, and 0-6 is still 0-6. But you have to start somewhere and the offense was terrific Sunday despite the turnovers that ultimately led to defeat.’

‘It was only one game, but the Bills’ showed what a good game plan that’s properly executed by the quarterback can do.’

‘"He has to continue to improve his all-around play, and that includes special teams," Gailey said. "To be honest with you, it gets harder and harder. … It’s not going out and practicing to see who wins spots right now. If somebody doesn’t play well, then you give him another chance. If somebody keeps playing well, he might not get another chance right now."’

‘The Bills’ 506 net yards were the eighth most in team history, and the most since the 2000 season finale at Seattle when they set the team record with 579. This was also their highest total in a loss, and it was the most yards the Ravens have allowed in a game since 2000.’

‘The offensive plan was far more sophisticated than anything the Bills have shown prior, and it seemed as if Chan Gailey gave Fitzpatrick much more leeway to make plays downfield. The Bills gained more than 500 yards and scored 34 points, certainly something to build on. On defense, coordinator George Edwards’ guys still gave up too many big plays and didn’t make enough game-turning plays. The Bills have only one interception in six games.’

‘Maybin is looking like one of the franchise’s all-time biggest draft whiffs. Coach Chan Gailey — who did not pick Maybin — admitted during the bye week that Maybin is struggling to get on the field, let alone make plays. Against the Ravens, he wasn’t even deemed useable because not only is he a non-factor on defense, he does nothing on special teams.’

‘Gailey called it “a step,” but cautioned it’s too early to determine how big of a one it might be in preparing his team to play at Kansas City on Sunday.’

‘”He continues to get a lot better each week,” Gailey said. “He has done an amazing job of understanding our offense and what we’re trying to get done. The passing game with the guys doing what they are supposed to do is pretty good now.”‘

‘"There’s no quit in this team. It’s frustrating, especially to lose that way. We’re going to get over the hump."’

‘They sure did. Scoring 34 points against that Baltimore defense was downright astonishing.’