Archives for December 2010

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 158 yards on 15-of-25 efficiency with one touchdown and one interception for Buffalo (2-10), which dropped a 19-16 overtime decision to Pittsburgh last weekend and has split its last four games. Florence had two interceptions — one returned for a 40-yard touchdown — and David Nelson had a 12-yard TD reception in defeat.’

‘Tarvaris Jackson took over on the next series and Favre stayed on the bench for a few minutes before heading to the locker room. Favre emerged from the locker room later in the first half but did not re-enter the game.’

‘Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is active, while wide receiver Percy Harvin is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Buffalo gave the ball back to the Vikings, when Leodis McKelvin fumbled on the kick return to set the Vikings up with decent field position. The Vikings took advantage of the turnover with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Adrian Peterson at the start of the second quarter. 14-7 Vikings.’

‘How about the Bills secondary today? Four interceptions? In one game? Preposterous! Drayton Florence played a splendid game. It’s too bad his teammate, Mr. McKelvin, didn’t show up. The second interception made by Florence was impressive on an underthrown ball by Tarvaris Jackson. Hey, even Donte Whitner got an interception! Number five for the career! That’s a playmaker right there. Five in five years. Man.’

‘I’m not going to say the Bills didn’t try or they weren’t prepared because that isn’t true. Lately they’ve been able to over achieve because of the character they possess. Today in Minnesota just reminds us that there’s still a long way to go.’

‘Buffalo’s defense bend and broke, its offensive line was pitiful and if there is such a thing as Fitzmagic we’re in a period of the film where the warlocks have the wizard chained up. Let’s put this 24-point road loss to bed as quickly as possible.’

‘They need LOTS of help on defense. Until they can even slow down the run, much less stop the run, they will never have a chance to be a playoff contender. Part of that is scheme, or at least adjusting to the 3-4 under dc George Edwards, but its also personnel. Big time.’

‘The biggest Bills story, though, from this game may be the mounting injuries. With Reggie Torbor and Dwan Edwards already on injured reserve and with the possibility of Hangartner and Urbik joining them, a team already thin on talent just became even thinner. And that means the progress we’ve seen the past seven weeks could be severely retarded down the stretch.’

‘It’s going to be interesting to see how the 2-10 Bills respond during the final quarter of the season, starting with Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns. The injuries along the offensive line may pave the way to a 2-14 finish and halt the progress we were starting to see from this team.’

‘For the 2nd straight week the Bills got annihilated in the stat columns in the first half. They were outgained 246-41. The Vikings had 17 first downs to the Bills 2 and turned the ball over three times before intermission.’

‘George Edwards didn’t have an answer for the Vikings offense.’

‘Buffalo committed five turnovers, and the Vikings converted them into 21 points with Adrian Peterson the biggest beneficiary. Peterson scored two of his three touchdowns off Bills turnovers and rumbled for 107 yards on 16 carries as the Vikings averaged almost six yards a carry on the day en route to a 200-yard rushing day.’

‘”I think the fact that other teams respect us, I think you take a little bit from it, but we’re sitting at where we are,” said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, meaning, thanks for the props, but it’s not exactly consoling.”‘

‘The improved play of the Buffalo Bills has reduced the number of pressing needs to be addressed in free agency and in the 2011 college draft. A growing number of Bills observers believe linebacker is now the team’s major weakness and needs the most help this offseason.’