Archives for October 15, 2013

‘Whether it’s Thad Lewis, Matt Flynn, or Jeff Tuel starting at quarterback, the Bills should not be satisfied with “almost” winning games and certainly should not play as if they’re already thinking about the draft in April.’

‘Probably the most impressive aspect of Lewis’ performance was his poise. At no time did the game seem too big or too fast for him and, though being sacked five times and losing a fumble on an ill-considered pass-fake during a scramble, he never seemed flustered.’

‘How quickly he is able to absorb the Bills’ offensive scheme will determine who backs up Lewis on Sunday. Marrone said that Flynn looked comfortable and in a good rhythm during his workout, and that the team liked his experience.’

‘”Marquise is a football player,” said defensive back Aaron Williams, who played with Goodwin at Texas. “He’s not a track guy. He’s shown you his toughness and his physicality. As long as he stays healthy and does what he needs to do to keep his body right, he’ll be a great player for us.”‘

‘Orchard Park police, working with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office before, during and after the game, issued 86 summonses to people for violating the open-container ordinance. Those officers also arrested two 18-year-old males, a Horseheads youth charged with unlawful alcohol possession and a Blasdell youth charged with marijuana possession.’

‘Coach Doug Marrone said that x-rays and an MRI came back negative on Lewis’ foot, and he said of Sunday’s game in Miami, “We’ll list him day to day, I think he’ll be out there Wednesday, and I feel good about him being able to play on Sunday.”‘

‘Jeff Tuel met with Marrone to ask about his status, which seems to be trending downward. “Listen, here’s what it is,” Marrone said, paraphrasing what he told Tuel. “Do I expect you to be happy with that? No, I don’t want you to be. I want you to, ‘Hey, I’m going to show you, and I’m going to work my butt off.’ You don’t have to agree with what your role is. You have to do it, but you don’t have to agree with it. Then you’re the one that can change it by getting better.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone all but ruled out Flynn’s chances of starting Sunday, when Buffalo (2-4) travels to Miami (3-2). Marrone won’t rush Flynn in, saying he needs time to become comfortable with the offense.’

‘Flynn was released by the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 7 after he lost the starting job to Terrelle Pryor. He appeared in two games for the AFC West club and threw for 246 yards with a touchdown and interception.’

‘”I think I did OK,” said Lewis, who threw for 216 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing. “It’s never good when you don’t come out with a ‘W.’ That’s the reason we play this game, to win. We did OK. We’ve seen some things that we can do better as a team. We’ll watch the film and correct the mistakes. But we’re right there.”‘

‘An MRI revealed Monday that Thad Lewis has a mild foot sprain and he is day-to-day, according to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk. Lewis, promoted from the practice squad last week to start against the Cincinnati Bengals, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the Bills’ overtime loss. Lewis was injured late in the game and he was replaced by Jeff Tuel.’

‘Flynn was released by the Oakland Raiders, becoming a free agent, and worked out for the Bills on Monday despite losing starting jobs in Seattle and Oakland to first-time starters Russell Wilson (Seahawks) and Terrelle Pryor (Raiders) in back-to-back preseasons. The Raidiers acquired Flynn from Seattle in April.’

‘The head coach didn’t necessarily rule him out of being the backup to Lewis on Sunday in Miami. “It all depends on how fast we can get him ready,” Marrone replied. “But if not, Jeff [Tuel] will be in there playing and Matt will be backing him up.”‘

‘The organization liked what they saw and signed him to an undisclosed contract. To make room on the roster, the Bills placed rookie safety Johnathan Meeks on Injured Reserve with the designation to return.’