Archives for October 4, 2011

‘The win over the Patriots made a statement, but a win over the Eagles this week might be an even louder one.’

‘Buffalo is in the bottom half of the league in points surrendered. Worse, it’s surrendering a numbing 405 yards per game, sixth-worst in the NFL.’

‘The turf is being given to the recipients for free, but the recipients must pay for the installation. In July, the county put out the call for applicants after a new playing surface was installed at the Orchard Park stadium. To be eligible, applicants had to be nonprofits, schools or community groups in Erie County.’

‘”They came back out and established what they wanted to do and that was run the football,” Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman said. “Once they started doing that, it opened up the passing game as well by running play action.”‘

‘”I’ve got a lot of confidence in him,” Gailey said, “but he’s still got to prove it. He’s getting his chance.”‘

‘We think the Bills are better defensively, but the statistics don’t say so. They rank 27th in yards allowed per game and they were 24th a year ago. This defense caved against the 25th-ranked offense in the NFL and a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton. I thought the addition of assistant coach Dave Wannstedt would make more of a difference. We all know Gailey sure isn’t a defensive guy.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills safety Mark Kelso will be on hand to talk about his personal experience with concussions as well as the Gazoo, a protective cap in which he made famous in the early 1990s.’

‘The next several weeks will tell us whether they are fortunate to be 3-1 or a team capable of improving to the point that they challenge for a playoff spot.’

‘”My parents were laughing about the whole thing, saying I’d be lucky if I got a jersey out of the deal,” said Morrison, 19. “I guess it’s not a bad price to pay for a couple of tickets to an NFL game and a chance to get on the field for a pre-game warmup.”‘

‘For Gailey, the only way to shake off the loss and start regaining the NFL’s respect is by focusing on the next game. That comes Sunday, when the Bills host the inconsistent Philadelphia Eagles (1-3).’

‘Coach Chan Gailey ruled out Bell from playing Sunday, when the Bills (3-1) host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3). Gailey wouldn’t specify the nature of the injury except to say surgery will not be required.’

‘”He will not be here this week,” said Gailey. “After that I don’t know.”‘

‘”It was huge,” running back Fred Jackson said. “Clearly, it was a catch. We’re upset about it. There’s not anything we can do about it now. But it definitely killed a drive where we felt like we were moving the ball really well and you know, we keep that drive going who knows what happens.”‘

‘”This has been something I’ve been working towards since I got here.” Hairston told the media Monday. “Just being picked up here, it’s good to know they have the confidence in me to stick me in there when D. Bell’s been having a great year. I hate him getting an injury is what’s giving me this opportunity but I’ll take advantage of it and do what I can to help this team win.”‘