Archives for November 2013

‘”The team hasn’t been to the playoffs in 13 years, and everything is based on that kind of perspective,” he said. “So when things don’t go right, I think a lot of the fans revert back to that. Patience, I’m telling you. This is how the league is. If you aren’t Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew Brees or any of those dudes, it’s not going to happen overnight.”‘

‘”I don’t know if I was any different,” said Byrd, who missed the season’s first five games battling plantar fasciitis in both feet following his long summer holdout. “You are who you are it’s just that I hadn’t played the game in awhile. It was just a matter of feeling comfortable in the system and in the game. Hopefully I’m headed in the right direction.”’

‘Now, the trick is to keep building. Bad time for a bye week.’

‘Snapping a three-game losing streak at home against an AFC East rival made for a pretty nice day for the Bills, who finally had a slew of breaks go their way. Seeing Manuel prove himself in challenging November conditions, throwing the deep ball, was a positive development as was the attacking play of the defense that set the day’s tone. Coach Doug Marrone’s team really needed this one.’

‘”Being a receiver, everybody hopes to have a breakout game and be able to help their team get a win,” Goodwin said. “It comes down to stepping up when your name is called. We have a few guys injured but they are working to get back. You have to step up and make plays with guys out.”‘

‘Doug Marrone has to be applauded for bringing offensive coordinator Nate Hackett down to the sidelines, as the offense looked much sharper after last week’s debacle against the Steelers. Defenisve coordinator Mike Pettine’s aggressive scheme clearly confused Smith. They just need to work on punting from inside the 50.’

‘”Any time you’re able to get a decisive win this league, it’s a lot of fun,” said Bills center Eric Wood. “They don’t happen often.”‘

‘You won’t have trouble winning too many games if your defense has a game like this every week. Sacks, takeaways and stops. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has done a great job with this unit. For most of the season, the defense has shined. The Bills might be 4-7, but their record could be a lot better and a big reason why is the defensive unit.’

‘”We just trusted our receivers,” Manuel said. “T.J. and Marquise both did a huge job, a great job stepping up for us this week with (Robert Woods) and Stevie (Johnson) being injured. So both guys, we’re very thankful that they came out and they were focused. They were ready to go. They knew that the ball was coming to them and made great plays for us.”‘

‘Whether Manuel or Smith end up being franchise QBs is still a ways away. After Sunday’s win, though, it sure looks like Manuel is a lot closer.’

‘What is significant is this year’s highest-drafted rookie quarterbacks took huge steps in opposite directions.’

‘The Bills harassed rookie quarterback Geno Smith all afternoon, sacking him four times and forcing four turnovers — including three interceptions and a Smith fumble inside the New York 10 — that they turned into 17 points.’

‘A few more of them and the Bills might be onto something.’

‘”Just to be down there it’s a different sense,” Marrone said. “Those guys talk to each other all during the week, they talk to each other all during practice, but there’s a little bit of separation when (Hackett is in the press box). It hurts a little bit from the standpoint of the field. It’s a lot easier to call plays up in the box in my opinion. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I thought it was more important for him to be with EJ.”‘

‘The man sustained only a shoulder injury after falling on top of another fan, who suffered a head injury, according to the Associated Press. Names of the fans were not released.’