Archives for October 30, 2011

‘What’s the old axiom in football — offence sells tickets and defence wins championships. right now the bills defence is giving up acres of yardage both on the ground and through the air.’

‘Serious negotiations on extending the current lease, which runs through July 2013, have not yet begun. The Bills want significant upgrades to Ralph Wilson Stadium, paid for by New York State and Erie County, in order to sign an extension.’

‘The Bills’ defense ranks last in the NFL in sacks and it lost pass-rusher Shawne Merriman this past week. The Bills don’t like to blitz a lot. In fact, the Bills rushed five or more attackers half as much as the Redskins this year — on 21.3 percent of pass plays, as opposed to 44.7 percent for Washington. Will the Bills be forced to gamble more often to put heat on the quarterback?’

‘Bills 30, Redskins 14.’

‘Do you really think Jim Kelly’s group, or any group interested in buying the team and keeping it in Western New York, will want to pay all that money for the franchise and continue giving away a home game? What’s the point, then, if not a short-term cash grab by the current owner?’

‘The Washington Redskins will line up against Buffalo players about whom they know next to nothing, much less having exchanged bruises.’

‘Roll, as in rolling in dough, is what the Bills are doing because of the deal as Toronto media giant Rogers Communication agreed to pay the team $78 million to stage five regular-season and three preseason games through 2012.’

‘”We’re 4-2 now and then we have the Jets and then three away games (Dallas, Miami and the Jets again) so this game is like a must win to go 5-2,” wide receiver Stevie Johnson said. “For the most part the Jets are a team that has been beating us, so we want momentum going into that game. So this is going to be a big game for us to get that W.”‘

‘The 4-2 Bills and the 3-3 Redskins thought they were well on their way to proving such until both suffered tough losses in their most recent starts. Whoever gets the ‘L’ on Sunday has a long road ahead.’

‘And when it was brought up to Gailey this week that he’ll be coaching against the presumptive favourite for the job he eventually got when the Bills face the Washington Redskins at the Rogers Centre, the fact he might have been a second choice didn’t faze Gailey in the least. “We’ve got a bunch of folks on our team that feel that way,” he said tersely. “I feel right home.”‘

Chris Cooley is hurt now, but he plans on staying awhile with the Redskins (Washington Post)

The other Mike Shanahan finds himself pulling for the Redskins’ coach (Washington Post)

Redskins’ John Beck can’t buy a break, unless it’s an injury (Washington Post)

Could the Redskins have prevented their injuries? (Washington Post)

Keys to the game: Find a rhythm on offense (Washington Post)

Redskins-Bills: Key matchups to watch (Washington Post)

Redskins go to their backup plans (Washington Times)

Can Beck follow Fitzpatrick’s lead? (Washington Examiner)

Redskins should win one for ‘The Squire’ (Washington Examiner)

Week 8: Redskins vs. Bills preview (Washington Examiner)

Redskins tighten defense before facing Bills (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Redskins vs. Bills: Who has the edge? (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Redskins vs. Bills: Keys to the game (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Redskins Offer Health Screenings, Evaluation To Military Personnel (Fredericksburg Free Lance Star)

Redskins hope third time vs. Fitzpatrick is a charm (CSN Washington)

Redskins-Bills: The basics (CSN Washington)

‘”I think it’s inevitable (Toronto will have an NFL team) because the league would like to be international,” Cooke explained. “The (NFL) would like to have a team in London (England) and the most logical place to go (international) is just across the border in Canada. Toronto would be an absolutely perfect city for it. It’s a vibrant city, and it would be good for the National Football League. It should take place, but when I can’t predict.”‘

‘”We’ve got a bunch of folks on our team who are that way,” said Gailey, when asked about being initially overlooked. “I feel right at home.”‘

‘”Listen, the best marketing campaign in sports is a winning team,” Bills-In-Toronto series general manager Silvio D’Addario said this week as the Bills (4-2) prepare to “host” the Washington Redskins (3-3) on Sunday.’

‘Bills 29, Redskins 17.’