Archives for September 2012

‘Buffalo’s offense suffered from the turnover bug, committing four on the day including three Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions, while the defense could not get off the field on third down. The Jets didn’t punt until the fourth quarter, converting seven of their first nine third downs. On the two third downs where they did not convert they kicked field goals. Even special teams gave up a return for a touchdown in a very humbling opening performance to the 2012 season.’

‘I mean of course it was disappointing whenever you lose a game, especially a division game. We’re a much better football team than what we displayed today. Just the turnovers, the big one that I had with the pass. That was huge. We could have probably gotten some points out of that. I think if we just clean that up, I think we’ll be fine. The main thing I told the guys that I kept preaching on the sideline is that we can’t let this one loss define our season. Of course we wanted to win, but we didn’t. We can’t let this one loss define our season. We just have to correct the mistakes and get back to work and get ready for Kansas City. Of course, it hurts. The guys in the locker room, everybody’s hurt because we wanted to win it, but we can’t do anything about it now.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions, one was returned for a touchdown as the Jets blew out the Bills early and beat Buffalo 48-28 on opening day. The Jets also returned a punt for a touchdown in opening up a 27-7 halftime lead that swelled to 41-7 before the Bills made the score a little more respectable with three straight touchdowns in garbage time. C.J. Spiller was the lone bright spot with a career high 169 yards rushing on just 14 carries and a 56 yard touchdown run.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions long before halftime. He was just way off the mark. He padded his stats later in the game during garbage time to make them look decent but he was awful. Grade F: Embarrassing performance by Fitz.’

‘”We finally go out there and it counts,” said Williams. “I think the biggest thing for me is just balling. It is just about finally getting out here on a real Sunday and getting after it.”‘

‘"A stat people don’t realize about Buffalo is – even though it’s a spread offense – they led the AFC in rushing last year," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "That tells you a lot about Buffalo."’

‘Bills 20, Jets 17.’

‘The total value of the contracts for all Bills players under contract just before the final NFL cuts was $617 million. That put Buffalo 10th in the league. The Bills were 29th last year, and 25th in both 2010 and 2009.’

‘The bar has been raised for everyone, including the coach. Fitzpatrick isn’t the only one who needs to meet heightened expectations. The league caught up to Gailey’s spread attack in the second half last season. It’s his job to refine the offense and help Fitz be better.’

‘"I had to have a little bit [about football in the book] because this was my livelihood," he said. "The reason for the book was I know how I was brought up with my father and the values he taught me and having six boys in my family and how important the little things are like a firm handshake and looking a man in the eye, and how that earns you respect early on in your childhood."’

”'”We feel like we are a tremendous amount better,” running back Fred Jackson said. “We got a lot of key guys back, and we made some key additions this offseason.”‘

‘After two seasons of missing the playoffs, after posting records of 4-12 and 6-10, Gailey has been issued asbestos pants so he can handle the hot seat he’s now sitting in.’

‘Fitzpatrick was the least-sacked QB in the NFL, but as center Eric Wood said, the Bills need to cut down on the number of times Fitzpatrick gets hit. The Jets can generate a lot of heat with their aggressive packages, and the line – with rookie Cordy Glenn manning Fitzpatrick’s blind side – has to have a good day.’

‘My precise prediction, as to and for the record: The Bills will finish second in the AFC East behind, of course, New England and end the year 10-6.’