Archives for December 2011

‘”Well, you know, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and nothing’s going to just change overnight,” said Dareus, selected with No. 3 pick out of Alabama. “We’ve got our rookies playing. We’re contributing to the team. And we’re going to do more next year, and we’re going to try to turn this team around slowly but surely.”‘

‘The Bills did not disclose the nature of Rayner’s injury, though he’s been bothered by a sore pelvis. He missed two of six field-goal attempts in a 40-14 win over Denver last weekend.’

‘It happened midway through the fourth quarter when Tebow had the ball knocked loose by linebacker Chris Kelsay. Linebacker Spencer Johnson caught the ball in midair and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.’

”'”It obviously feels a lot better,” said coach Chan Gailey, who rewarded his players with three days off after the victory. “It took all three phases playing well and winning each phase to win a ball game. We’re not that good of a football team yet that we can go win with just winning one or two phases.”‘

‘Taken by Seattle in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Coutu most recently spent time on Jacksonville’s practice squad before being released December 17. He has yet to appear in an NFL game.’

‘”You’d be able to win two in a row going into next year which is always good,” he said of what’s on his mind after his team snapped its losing streak with a spirited 40-14 victory over Denver last Saturday. “You are able to beat a good football team, which is another good thing if you can get that done. I don’t worry about streaks. I don’t worry about history. I worry more about the present and future than I do that.”‘

‘The Bills can’t expect Ryan Fitzpatrick to match big plays with Tom Brady for a second time this year. Fitzpatrick was marvelous in rallying the Bills from a 21-0 hole in Buffalo’s big September upset. But he’s mostly struggled the past two months and Chan Gailey would be wise to run the ball often and more often against New England’s 32nd-ranked run defense. Second-year pro C.J. Spiller has emerged as the weapon they hoped he’d be when the Bills drafted him ninth overall in 2010.’

‘RB C.J. Spiller, the team’s first-round pick out of Clemson in 2010, has given the front office something to think about regarding handing veteran Fred Jackson a rich contract extension. Spiller, who has been starting since Jackson was lost for the year with a broken leg, has been very good the past two games, including recording his first 100-yard game against Denver (111 on 16 carries). On the year, he has 94 carries for 501 yards, a whopping 5.3 average. “C.J.’s playing extremely well right now,” coach Chan Gailey said. “He’s seeing things a lot better, is a lot more patient and he’s a threat out of the backfield as a receiver. It’s a great opportunity for him to show what he can do and he’s taking advantage of that opportunity.” Spiller figures to have another strong game this week vs. New England’s 32nd-rank run defense, allowing 411.7 yards per game.’

‘An avid supporter of Johnson, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t want this to be the end of their on-the-field partnership. “I certainly hope not,” said the quarterback. “I know it’s a business. I have thought about it. I mean, he’s been a guy, you know, just kind of our story together and how we’ve grown the last three years together as players. He’s a guy that I’ve really appreciated and I know that he knows that. I hope that he’s back. You never know what’s gonna happen, but I’m always in his corner.”‘

However, Johnson also admitted that during the Bills home finale against Denver, he thought about the possibility that he could be playing in another city next season. “Walking on the field, walking off the field, looking around and looking at the crowd was kind of crazy because it seemed like four years went by pretty fast,” said Johnson. “Just how being in the city and they’ve adopted me I thought about it.”‘

‘On the chance to sweep New England this season: It definitely will, but I don’t think anybody is really worried about that. I think we are just going to try to prepare the best way we can and try to go out there Sunday and get the win. It would be great to get the sweep but I don’t think that should be the main focus. I think the main focus should be preparing our best ball and then going up there on Sunday and playing the best that we have played all year.’

‘”I feel like being here four years, with the coaches I have, and Fitz (Ryan Fitzpatrick) signing a new deal, you would think you’d have a one-two punch. When Fitz came on, I came on, and you’d think we’d stay together.”‘

‘Patriots 38, Bills 14.’

‘He spent his rookie season on the Seahawks roster, but was inactive for all 16 games. Coutu was released prior to the 2009 regular season and re-joined the Seahawks on July 31, 2011 before being released on August 22nd. Coutu will wear No. 10.’

‘When Fitzpatrick lines up for the first play from scrimmage on offense against the Patriots, he’ll become the first Bills quarterback to start all 16 games in a regular season in five years.’