Archives for October 14, 2013

‘Thad Lewis certainly exceeded expectations for someone coming off the practice squad. In his second NFL start, Lewis completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a short score. He completed a pair of gorgeous deep throws too. Lewis did check the ball down a few too many time though and showed poor ball security on the fumble. Grade: B’

‘”I had some great sleep (Saturday) night,” Lewis said. “At the end of the day it’s football. It’s a game I love to play. It’s a game I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. I wasn’t nervous at all because I knew the coaching staff and the guys there with me had my back. It’s not a one-man sport. It is 11 guys on the field at one time.”‘

‘”We knew, based on the situation that we were in, we were going to rely on our defense and we didn’t answer the call,” said Byrd. “No one area was exempt, it was all three phases we have to get better, and it showed at the end.”‘

‘”I’m thankful to be here, to be a part of this organization, have the opportunity to be a Buffalo Bill again and finish my career here,” he said after Sunday’s game. “That’s my plan and I’m looking forward to that.”‘

‘Overall, Lewis was fine in his second career NFL start. He wasn’t great, but he didn’t play poorly. He made a few mistakes — he lost a fumble in the third quarterback and took some sacks when he could have made a play — but for the most part, he didn’t hurt his team.’

Bengals grind out win in Buffalo (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Bengals still working on winning pretty (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Reedy’s game ball: Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Zimmer alters game plan at half (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Nugent makes most of second chance (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Photo gallery (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Bengals Report Card vs. Bills (Dayton Daily News)

Bengals overcome flinching for OT win (Fox Sports Ohio)

Bengals win in OT on Nugent FG (Bengals.com)

Nugent gets last laugh (Bengals.com)

Bengals-Bills Postgame Quotes (Bengals.com)

Photo gallery (Bengals.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

Photo gallery (AP)

Photo gallery (WGRZ-TV)

‘The Bills (2-4) were led by quarterback Thad Lewis, starting in place of injured rookie EJ Manuel. Lewis went 19 of 32 for 216 yards and two touchdowns after being promoted off the practice squad last week. Both touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter, including a 40-yarder to Marquise Goodwin with 1:08 remaining.’

‘”We knew what was at stake, especially at that point,” said Bills gunner Marcus Easley. “Punt coverage needed to make a play. I’m on the punt team, so I’ve got to do better.”‘

‘Lawson was hurt in the first half. He was facing his former team after signing with the Bills this offseason. Lawson made three tackles Sunday.’

‘Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd (plantar fasciitis) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (broken left hand) will both make their season debuts for the Bills.’

‘Behind quarterback Thad Lewis, recently promoted from the practice squad to start for injured rookie EJ Manuel, the Bills rallied to force overtime. Lewis, making his second career NFL start, threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, the latter a 40-yard downfield strike to rookie wide receiver Marquise Goodwin with 68 seconds remaining.’

‘Johnson is suffering from a back injury that forced him out of last Thursday’s game against Cleveland. He missed practice all week, partially because of a death in the family, and was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report.’

‘Thad Lewis, who was promoted from the Bills’ practice squad to replace injured quarterback EJ Manuel, played well in his second NFL start. The third-year free agent from Duke completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He also was sacked five times and lost a fumble.’

‘There isn’t much of a dropoff from rookie EJ Manuel to third-year quarterback Thad Lewis. Lewis throws a better deep ball than Manuel and moves well under duress. Yes, he was sacked five times, but there also were several occasions when he escaped the relentless pressure to make chain-moving plays.’

‘The Bills’ interest in Flynn, who was released by the Oakland Raiders last week, apparently began before Thad Lewis was injured during Sunday’s overtime loss to Cincinnati.’