Archives for December 2011

‘The lucky ones were the Bills fans who arrived early — at the mall. That was the smart call, the perfect audible. Who could blame them? What made more sense, subjecting yourself to the torture of watching this season go down the drain, or getting some Christmas shopping done at the two-week warning?’

‘”It was three and out, we would have gotten the ball around midfield, and they run a fake punt,” said Bills linebacker/safety Bryan Scott. “They had us, the defense, on our heels and we didn’t recover. They ended up scoring on that drive and then the next series the offense turned over the ball and they scored again. Right there, a 14-point swing.”‘

‘A flag was thrown late in the quarter on a long pass play from Ryan Fitzpatrick for receiver Derek Hagan at the Chargers’ 40. The official closest to the play was going to call pass interference. Hagan was wide open, but Fitzpatrick’s pass hung in the air too long. After a group discussion, the referees ruled no foul. But contact was made before the ball reached Hagan. Bad call.’

‘Fitzpatrick was awful; he’s not playing like a franchise QB.’

‘No, the Bills are not, and you could make a pretty good argument that if not for the existence of the winless Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo might be the worst team in the league at the moment.’

‘Have the Chargers turned the corner after their midseason swoon? Well, we don’t really know because the Bills certainly didn’t give them much of a barometer to measure themselves.’

‘Fitzpatrick was off target all day as he never found a rhythm, and his decision-making, usually a strength, was terrible. That contract extension is looking worse and worse each week.’

‘It’s time for the Bills to give their fans a break and not show up for the rest of the season.’

Bolts batter Bills but get no help in Denver (San Diego Union Tribune)

With two TDs, he’s Gates of old (San Diego Union Tribune)

Safeties go off for Chargers (San Diego Union Tribune)

Time and Tebow make for a terrible situation (San Diego Union Tribune)

Fake punt not case of being reckless or rash (San Diego Union Tribune)

Complete games not enough at this point (San Diego Union Tribune)

Mathews rolling ’em up now (San Diego Union Tribune)

Tailgate doesn’t stop when game starts (San Diego Union Tribune)

Nick Canepa’s report card (San Diego Union Tribune)

Photo gallery (San Diego Union Tribune)

Playoff hopes still alive after another dominant win (North County Times)

Mathews stepping up for Chargers (North County Times)

Bolts dodge bullet after Rivers’ bobble (North County Times)

Chargers running out of time despite impressive win (North County Times)

Weddle’s first down on fake punt sparks Bolts (North County Times)

Report card vs. Buffalo Bills (North County Times)

Photo gallery (North County Times)

Still alive, barely, after 37-10 win (Riverside Press Enterprise)

Who makes the call? (Riverside Press Enterprise)

Chargers Know What Lies Ahead (KNSD-TV)

Chargers bash Bills, 37-10 (Chargers.com)

Fake punt launches Chargers (Chargers.com)

Gates excels in red zone (Chargers.com)

Photo gallery 1 (Chargers.com)

Photo gallery 2 (Chargers.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery (AP)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

Photo gallery (WGRZ-TV)

Photo gallery (WIVB-TV)

‘Buffalo (5-8) lost its sixth straight game and was eliminated from playoff contention for the 12th straight year.’

‘Also inactive for the Bills on Sunday are defensive back Josh Nesbitt, linebacker Antonio Coleman, tackle Sam Young, wide receiver Kamar Aiken and tight end Fendi Onobun.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick connected on 13-of-34 passes for 176 yards and two interceptions for the Bills (5-8), who have lost six straight and have been eliminated from playoff contention.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick had a tough outing with just 13 completions out of 34 chances for 176 yards and two interceptions.’

‘Fitzpatrick was 13-of-34 with a QB ranking of 31.0. I’m not just picking on him now, this has been going on since the Washington game.’

‘While I still feel Fitzpatrick is not the Bills biggest of many problems, it is becoming more and more difficult to see him as the “franchise qb” he’s now being paid to be. Yes, he’s physically tough, and we know he’s as smart as any signal caller out there.’