Archives for December 2012

‘No matter, both coaches, New York’s Rex Ryan and Buffalo’s Chan Gailey, figure to be unemployed by week’s end.’

‘In his three years with the Bills, the former Cowboys’ coach is 16-32 (4-12, 6-10, 6-10). For the record, Gregg Williams, over the same span, was 17-31, which got him fired. Dick Jauron was 7-9 his first three seasons and was fired midway through his last after a 3-6 start. That’s a winning percentage of .421 … Gailey’s is .333.’

‘”This is the last time this team is going to be together with all of the guys,” Fitzpatrick said. “There was so much disappointment, so to go out there and just [considering] all of the uncertainty to follow this game – you just want to put all of your focus into this game and go play.”‘

‘He became the first player to gain at least 1,700 yards from scrimmage (finishing with 1,703) since Travis Henry in 2002. The big caveat to that, though: Spiller had 250 touches this season, Henry had 368.’

‘They had nothing to gain by winning. Gailey and his coaches are probably gone. Ryan Fitzpatrick is almost surely finished as the quarterback. Entering the game, the Bills had a chance to draft anywhere from fourth to 11th, based on the outcome of games on Sunday.’

‘”[Sunday] was one of those times where we just meshed with each other as far as offense, defense and special teams,” Johnson said. “I guess it just takes time. Hopefully everything will come back next year and we end up how we did this game.”‘

‘It was the 25th turnover of the season for Sanchez. It was his league-leading 18th pickoff, and he has lost seven fumbles. It was Sanchez’s eighth interception in his last 72 attempts.’

‘With nothing to play for and with Chan Gailey likely coaching his last Bills game, his men dominated a team that didn’t have much interest in playing Sunday. Everything clicked for the Bills. The offense, defense and special teams each made big plays. The Bills also were the more disciplined team a week after looking anything but. Dave Wannstedt’s defense adjusted well at halftime for a change.’

‘Against a Buffalo defense that set a franchise record this year for first downs allowed in a season (349), and allowed the second-most points (435) and third-most yards (5,806) in team history, the Jets managed three field goals in becoming the first team unable to score a touchdown against Buffalo.’

‘The Bills could do worse at quarterback than Ryan Fitzpatrick, and I offer as example A, Mark Sanchez. He’s brutal. And the way he has played almost all year makes you wonder how in the world the Jets went to the AFC Championship Game his first two years at the helm.’

‘A decision regarding Gailey’s future could come as soon as Monday or maybe not until Wilson powwows with general manager Buddy Nix – assuming Nix is safe – at some point later this week. And while many signs point to Gailey being fired, don’t be shocked if Bills fans are ringing in the New Year singing “Auld Lang Status Quo” with maybe defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt offered up as the holiday sacrificial lamb.’

‘Like Fitzpatrick, this may have been Chan Gailey’s last game as Bills coach. If so, he made it count, calling a smart, balanced game featuring 31 runs and 26 passes against a Jets team that left its bus running. Offense, defense and special teams contributed to the win and gave the front office something to ponder regarding Gailey’s future.’

‘”It is easy,” Gailey said of blocking out the speculation that he could be fired as the team’s head coach as early as today. “You get excited about winning a ball game. That is what you try to do. That is what you work all week for, that is what you practice for and that is what you meet for – to win the game. You accomplish the goal to this point (Sunday). You do not think about all of the other stuff.”‘

”’I’d tell him he exemplifies what you want in an athlete and what you’re looking for in an athlete. … It’s something you’d want to see everybody doing. This guy is going to make it no matter what, because of his class. It’s really something and you root for him.”’

‘All that’s left for both the Bills and Jets to do now is await the official fates of the doomed.’