Archives for October 1, 2012

‘Defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt had no answers for the Patriots’ offense, which ran as it pleased and threw as it pleased, scoring touchdowns on six consecutive possessions in the second half.’

‘”We’re going to have to let this eat at us,” Bills linebacker Nick Barnett said. “That was no where near where we want to be and nowhere near what we expect out of ourselves.”‘

‘Their performance was downright deplorable, and it once again cast enormous doubt on their viability as a true playoff contender – something they claim they are.’

‘While I enjoy chuckling at Belichick’s glowing synopsis of teams he’s just embarrassed, I also appreciate the blunt honesty of Bills coach Chan Gailey after opponents have whipped him. And boy was Gailey blunt after watching his defense, remodeled to the tune of $58 million guaranteed for free agents Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, collapse like a card table under the weight of raised expectations.’

‘These aren’t matchups as much as they’re mismatches, and as long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are on the other sideline, nothing is changing, no matter what the Bills do to their own roster.’

‘If anyone dares to say the Bills have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL right now, rethink your position. It appears this line may be a tad overrated, and you immediately start with the $100 million man, Mario Williams. Casper the Ghost would have been more visible Sunday.’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick overcame two early interceptions to stake the Bills a 21-7 lead with three touchdown passes covering 24, 20 and 68 yards. But he was not up to matching Tom Brady’s six-consecutive-possession touchdown assault that blew the game open and he assisted New England’s cause with two more picks in the fourth quarter that led to 10 Patriots points. Mr. Average meets Tom Terrific and as usual, it’s no contest.’

‘”Obviously, it showed us that we are not there yet,” said Fitzpatrick. “We have got a lot of pride in this locker room and right now we have our tails between our legs in terms of we got our butts kicked.”‘

‘”I don’t know what was going on,” Bills’ defensive end Mario Williams said. “I don’t know which way (New England’s running back) was hitting (the hole), I just know … Like I said, I just felt like it was methodical. It was the same block and the same play.”‘

‘It was concerning how the Bills abandoned the run. Fred Jackson had 13 carries for 29 yards and C.J. Spiller had eight carries for 33 yards. Running the ball keeps the Patriots off the field and eats clock. I know they lost Kraig Urbik and Cordy Glenn, but the running game was the strength of this team until this week. I would like to see them run the ball out of a formation other than the spread. The Patriots had no issue stopping it today.’

‘This performance was as bad as it gets.’

‘Just why the Patriots were suddenly able to run at will in the second half – the two backs between them had just 88 yards in the first half – seemed to be a mystery to some Bills and rather apparent to others.’

‘”Of course I’m not 100% healthy but I felt like I could go today,” Spiller said Sunday. “The main thing that I said was if I could get out there and be effective I am going to get out there. I am not going to get out there if I felt that I could not be effective or contribute in some type of way for our team.”‘

‘They had plenty of help from a Bills offense that turned it over six times, including four Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions.’