Archives for November 2011

‘I don’t want to suggest that the loss of Shawne Merriman was a good thing. Wait a minute, I will suggest it. Merriman is a shell of his former self, but he’s such a commanding figure in the huddle, I think players were looking to him to make plays that he just couldn’t make anymore. Without him, others got the message that they have to rise to the challenge. Adversity can be a good thing.’

‘The people of Toronto can do their part by doing exactly what they did Sunday: cheer their heads off for the Bills and make the players feel at home. No matter what NFL team they would prefer to see live, they need to know that the Bills are the one that will keep coming back.’

‘”We know it’s going to be a tough fight and (the Jets have) been tough every time we’ve played them,” Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said Monday in Buffalo. “But in order to do what we want to do in our division, we’ve got to beat the best going through them, the Patriots and taking care of the Dolphins. If you want to be playoff team, you’ve got to win games in your division.”‘

‘The commissioner, however, did not attend the Toronto game on Sunday and his office said the league would leave it to the fans to decide if the NFL experience had improved. “At this point we would defer comment about the fan experience in Toronto to the Bills and the fans that attended the game,” the NFL told Reuters in an email.’

‘The first-round pick out of Alabama was busy back-slapping teammates and flashing a toothy grin among reporters Monday, a day after the sack-happy Bills’ 23-0 win over the Washington Redskins. Dareus had 2 1/2 of Buffalo’s nine sacks in helping the team improve to 5-2 heading into an AFC East showdown against the New York Jets (4-3) this weekend.’

‘Coach Chan Gailey provided the update Monday, stopping short of ruling out Bell from playing Sunday, when the Bills (5-2) host the New York Jets (4-3). Gailey said injured backup left tackle Chris Hairston has a better shot at returning than Bell.’

‘”He was awesome,” linebacker Chris Kelsay said of Dareus. “He did an unbelievable job. He made the plays that needed to be made. He’s a force to be reckoned with, and he’s got a number of years ahead of playing like that, and we’re fortunate that he’s on our side.”‘

‘Fred Jackson is making a strong case for MVP recognition as the NFL nears the halfway point. He’s fourth in the league in rushing, and he’s second in yards gained from scrimmage. Against the Redskins, he rushed for 120 yards, caught passes for 74 yards, picked up blitzes, and as he always does, led by example. It has gotten to the point where you expect him to make a big play every time he touches the ball.’

‘tt Chandler made a triumphant return to the offense after a month-long drought. The big tight end caught four touchdown passes in the first three games, then disappeared for three games, but his only two receptions against the Redskins went for scores. That gives him six for the season, already tying the Bills’ single-season record for a tight end, shared by Pete Metzelaars (1992) and Jay Riemersma (1998). “Records are always good things,” Chandler said. “It’s exciting to be able to contribute, and when our team is winning, it’s always exciting to be a guy who’s helping the team do well.”‘

‘Head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that Williams will miss yet another game. This will be the third straight contest he’s had to sit out due to a foot injury. Gailey said they’ll re-evaluate Williams throughout the week and see if he can return for the following game. The Bills are up against a divisional opponent in the New York Jets.’

‘Dareus was all over the field all day. He got penetration on the interior of the Redskins offensive line and made Erik Cook, Chris Chester and Will Montgomery look like amateurs.’