Archives for October 3, 2013

‘The Browns are tied for eighth in the NFL in fewest points surrendered and an impressive third in least yards given up, fourth overall against the run.’

‘”I think most people have the same schedule. Monday, you want to push the players (practice) back as far as possible to give yourself more time to game plan so you can have it prepared. We pushed them back; we kind of handled all the stuff from the Baltimore game quickly. Then we immediately try to turn their attention on Monday night towards Cleveland.”‘

‘”Up front they’re stout,” said Bills center Eric Wood. “They have good linebackers who play downhill. They’re pretty instinctive. They pull their safeties down in the box and they really aid in the run-stuffing.”‘

‘Few NFL franchises know melancholy like the Bills and Browns. Their fans have been sucked into a vortex of heartache and, over the past decade-plus, ineptitude on the field. And when they play each other, the games seem programmed to inflict even more abuse on those who’ve dared to care.’

‘”Um, money?” said Stevie Johnson. “But the fans want to see this. We want to be part of it, too. So we’re not complaining, even though we’ve got guys who are injured. You’re not going to turn down a chance to play on Thursday night, with family, friends and high school coaches watching.”‘

‘Bills 27, Browns 20.’

‘”I think we all like this situation that we’re in,” said Bills wideout Stevie Johnson. “We don’t get many times to play on national televised games, so this is big for us. So hopefully we can go out there, show who we are, get a ‘W’ and let the world know we’re for real.”‘

‘Browns 17, Bills 16.’

‘Chudzinski is more dynamic than his predecessor, Pat Shurmur, and there is a better energy and confidence within the team. That counted for little prior to the two-game win streak, but then, it may have caused the two-game win streak. Lombardi is a highly secretive GM who operates with a very heavy Belichick influence. He has not been afraid to make controversial moves, a la bringing in Brian Hoyer and trading Trent Richardson.’

‘The two new initiatives include the development of a 12,500-square-foot operations building and a 33,000-square-foot commissary building that will be located outside of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. These new projects continue a relationship between Manning Squires Hennig and the Bills, which started in 1995 when MSH was contracted to build the team’s main practice facility, the Ralph Wilson Field House, Bouchard said.’

‘While we believe no city has suffered more wrenching post-season defeats, Buffalo reminds us sometimes it’s better to fall one win shy of the Super Bowl. Cleveland has Earnest Byner. Buffalo has Scott Norwood, whose missed field goal is the impetus for Vincent Gallo’s 1998 dark comedy Buffalo ’66.’

‘After four games, Alonso is tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions, to go with one sack, a forced fumble and recovered fumble. His 32 tackles are tops in Buffalo and among league rookies.’

”’Oh, yeah, the whole world is watching,” he said. ”Every little thing you do, you know everyone is going to see it.”’

‘Spiller sat out practice on Monday and Tuesday with ankle and knee problems, but returned for Wednesday’s session on a limited basis.’