Archives for September 6, 2012

‘Wilson had hip surgery in spring 2011, and his health has slipped, making it difficult for him to travel. After he’s regularly attended Bills home games since founding the franchise in 1960, Wilson was able to attend only one last season.’

‘”This is where we make the money,” Dareus said. “This is what they pay us the big bucks for. They made a great investment on the front four, and I’m pretty sure we won’t disappoint them.”‘

‘”It is a division opponent so I guess that gives the extra urge to come out on top,” wide receiver Stevie Johnson said. “If it was non-division it would still be big because it is kickoff (weekend) but this is our division opponent. We will see them later on, who knows, we may see them for a spot in the playoffs. This is big for both of us.”‘

‘Both clubs will try and run the football and help their quarterbacks, coming off shaky preseasons, manage the game instead of play bombs away. Buffalo had average success on the ground against the Jets in two losses last year while the Jets were very effective behind the play of Shonn Greene (4.8 average a carry). That allowed QB Mark Sanchez to play in his comfort zone, something he didn’t do all the time for the year. Buffalo led the AFC with a 4.9 rushing yards per carry average so it’s capable, especially with a healthy Fred Jackson. There are no surprises among these division rivals, although the Jets do have Tim Tebow at their disposal. He’s expected to be used in a Wildcat capacity, on short-yardage and goal-line plays. Buffalo has familiarity with the cult hero, roughing him up for four interceptions and three sacks in a 40-14 victory over Denver last year. As always, ball protection is key. The Bills lost just five fumbles all of last season to tie for the league low. Meanwhile, Buffalo scored an AFC-best 127 points (second most in the NFL) off of their 31 takeaways.’

‘”There were a lot of reasons behind it,” Thigpen said. “My agent talked to them, and I’m just glad to be here, and looking forward to the season.”‘

‘”Oh shoot, I was like oh no, please don’t, please don’t,” Ryan said when recalling the three-day courting process the Bills engaged in to land Williams. “Obviously you wish those players were on your team, but the fact that he went to Buffalo, it’s like, oh boy. He’s a tremendous football player.”‘

‘”Yes they’re higher, I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say the expectations are higher. They’re higher for the offensive line, they’re higher for the receivers, they’re higher for the defense, they’re higher for the kicking game, our expectations as a team are higher which is where you want to be.”‘

‘In its write-up on the Bills, Forbes wrote that “The Bills are arguably the most troubled franchise in the NFL.”‘

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson will be the offensive captains, George Wilson and Kyle Williams lead the defense, and Brian Moorman and Corey McIntyre listed as the special teams captains.’

‘On what QB Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to show this season: He just needs to play. He is good enough to take us where we need to go. That has never been a question in my mind. You can probably go back and find out how many times I have said this but every time I have said the same thing. There is no question in my mind. We just need to make sure we protect him and let him go play. If he goes, plays the way he is capable of playing and we get better as a football team he will be just fine.’

‘It is big for us. Week to week it varies in terms of how much we are going to lean on it. You have to stay balanced versus these guys because otherwise they will just tee off on you.’