Archives for September 30, 2013

‘While statistics show Alonso’s contribution on defense, one thing you won’t find on the stat sheet is the presence he has on the field. The Bills have lacked a strong middle linebacker since the departure of Paul Posluszny, who was a tackling machine. Now they have one who can not only tackle, but make plays and force turnovers.’

‘”When we get off the field on third down (Baltimore was an anemic 3-of-16) and give the ball to our offense, there’s no reason why we should lose.”‘

‘”Obviously we’ve had our share of adversity in that room,” said safety Jim Leonhard of the secondary unit. “I think we’ve proven through four weeks we’ve got a roomful of guys on the back end that will fight week in and week out, whatever happens.”‘

‘”I think he played very well. I don’t think people have an appreciation, even though he’s played the position, he hasn’t played the position a lot in what we’re doing, in our scheme,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said of Williams bouncing between safety and cornerback. “They have some very difficult route combinations that you have to cover. I thought he did a very, very good job. We’re proud of that.”

‘I don’t know about December. But as we wrap up the first September of the New Age Bills, you have to be at least faintly optimistic about where the new regime is headed. Too young, too new, too thin, too many injuries … but 2-2 at the quarter pole.’

‘You can’t help but visualize Alonso having a long and successful year with the Bills, who appear to have a core of good young players. The defense intercepted Flacco five times, but none was bigger than the last one. Alonso could make the argument as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year based on his play so far.’

‘The Bills ran 55 times, 10th in club history and their most since December 1996.’

‘Clinging to a three-point lead with 4:04 left, the Bills played it conservative when they got the ball on their own 20. Fred Jackson ran off right tackle on first down. The Ravens ganged up to play the run. If Buffalo was going to pass, first down was the time. But two more runs succeeded in eating 1:44 off the clock and forced the Ravens to use a time out. In the end, the strategy worked.’

‘The Bills’ coaching staff cooked up a winning strategy Sunday despite key injuries. On offense, the Bills muted their hurry-up offense and made it work. With cornerback Leodis McKelvin unable to play, fans braced themselves for the tandem of Williams and Justin Rogers. The defense came up with several game-changing plays. But the Bills committed 11 penalties for 99 yards and had a few significant plays erased.’

‘Wegmans officials blamed the Teamsters Union for an airplane banner over Ralph Wilson Stadium during today’s Buffalo Bills game claiming the store chain wanted the team to lose.’

‘Not only did the Bills truly expect to win, Williams said it shouldn’t have been as close as it was – a point that is tough to argue.’

‘The best part of Manuel’s game has been the fact that he doesn’t seem overwhelmed by what’s happening. He has shown some poise, he’s shown some toughness, and on a few occasions, he has stepped up and made some truly big-time throws such as his 42-yard TD pass to Woods.’

‘”That’s the NFL right there,” safety Jim Leonhard said. “It’s the Next Man Up League. Nobody cares if you have injuries. Obviously we’ve had our share of adversity but we’ve proven through four weeks that we have a room full of guys on the back end that will fight, week in, week out, whatever happens, and let the chips fall where they may.”‘

‘Manuel is a work in progress, and he took some steps forward after last week’s debacle against the Jets.’