Archives for September 18, 2011

‘”They really get after you and create,” said Bills’ head coach Chan Gailey. “They try to disrupt the running game by penetrating and they try to create pass rush by penetration.”‘

‘"I’m willing to sign a lease that will keep the team there and keep the team competitive," Wilson said in a phone interview late last week. "We’re not looking to have a palace, just a football stadium."’

‘"It’s pretty much mano a mano, man versus man," Bills linebacker Andra Davis said. "They’re going to test our manhood, and we have to stand up and be ready to accept the challenge."’

‘Bills 30, Raiders 21.’

‘”If things don’t change drastically, I would see us deferring most times,” Gailey said. “If a lot of kicks are going to go into the end zone or the back of the end zone, you have a chance to keep them at the 20 or inside. It’s hard on an offense when they average the 20-yard line taking over.”‘

‘That line of reasoning, I counter, is a crock. The most stable members of the eight-team league had been outbidding the rival NFL powers for serious talent from the beginning, 1960. The Houston Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans, signed the Heisman Trophy winner, LSU running back Billy Cannon, away from the powerful Los Angeles Rams. They took him right from under the nose of Rams GM Pete Rozelle, who would become the new NFL commissioner that year.’

‘”We didn’t have to rein anyone in; this locker room is full of good character guys, we don’t have any of those prima donna-type players who would let it get to their head. We understand we have a lot of work to do and a lot of battles ahead of us.”‘

Raiders not letting Buffalo fly under their radar after Bills’ big Week 1 win in Kansas City (Oakland Tribune)

Raiders’ run game alone won’t cut it in Buffalo (San Francisco Chronicle)

Raiders’ McFadden seeks spot among NFL’s elite running backs (Sacramento Bee)

Raiders Scouting Report vs. Buffalo (Sacramento Bee)

Lechler lets it all fly for the Raiders (CSN Bay Area)

Jackson throws flag at Raiders’ penalties (CSN Bay Area)

‘”Heading into my senior season, I started getting calls from agents,” Fitzpatrick said. “And that’s the first time it hit me that maybe I did have a possibility of doing it.”’

‘Pleased as he was to see his once-porous defense contain the run-happy Kansas City Chiefs in last weekend’s opening 41-7 victory, Gailey acknowledged the Bills’ home opener against the Raiders on Sunday will be a far more daunting challenge. “They’re so massive up front and their backs are big and strong and (run) downhill,” Gailey said. “Last week, it was edge, hitting the crease, dip, dart. This is right at you: ‘Here we come. See if you can stop us.'”‘