Archives for December 2013

‘Sunday was a good victory for Marrone and the Bills. While the Bills struggled early on, the defense played well and eventually the offense got going. It was good, all-around effort. There’s still plenty to work on, but Marrone should be pleased with the performance.’

‘EJ Manuel’s rookie scorecard looks like this after 10 NFL starts. Three homefield wins. One homefield loss. Four road losses. One neutral-site loss (at Toronto, ahem).’

‘The former Florida State star didn’t do anything spectacular, just dinking and dunking the Jaguars for 193 yards. He also ran for 37 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown in the second quarter.’

‘Johnson’s mother died unexpectedly Saturday at her Northern California home. Rhonda Lewis was 48. Johnson and the Bills had already arrived in Jacksonville when he heard the devastating news. He sat down with coach Doug Marrone, who gave him the option of leaving or staying for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. He didn’t tell anyone else.’

‘”It was a game of missed opportunities,” Jags coach Gus Bradley said. “We didn’t play like we’re capable of playing, whether it was a fumble, interception, things like that. In the locker room, our hearts are broken right now because of this, but I felt like our spirit is not.”‘

‘The Bills sacked Chad Henne five times, bringing their NFL-leading total to 49 this season. It’s one shy of the franchise record set in 1964.’

‘No starters were among Buffalo’s seven inactives. The list included quarterback Jeff Tuel, defensive backs Jonathan Meeks and Brandon Smith, running back Ronnie Wingo, guards Mark Asper and Antoine McClain and tight end Tony Moeaki.’

‘Robert Woods had five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, Frank Summers caught three passes for 16 yards and a score for the Bills (5-9), who snapped a two-game skid. Fred Jackson added 17 carries for 80 yards and C.J. Spiller rushed 13 times for 67 yards.’

‘Buffalo running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were held to a total of 34 rushing yards on 16 carries last week at Tampa Bay, but they shined Sunday. The duo, who combined to run for 186 yards in Buffalo’s 34-18 home victory against Jacksonville last year, had similar success once again and piled up 147 yards in the win.’

‘Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso is making a push for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Alonso, the NFL’s second-leading tackler, was questionable coming into Sunday’s game due to a knee injury, be he not only played, he finished second on the team with six tackles — all of them solo.’

‘In the final frame the Jaguars tied it up on a catch and run by Marcedes Lewis, but Buffalo immediately responded with an 80-yard drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown pass to Frank Summers. After the touchdown, Jacksonville chewed up nearly half a quarter of clock with a very long drive. 3rd and goal from the Bills 5 yard line, Stephon Gilmore picked off Henne in the endzone with 3:15 left in the game to help seal the victory.’

‘How did the Bills come away with the victory in Jacksonville over the Jaguars? Let’s take a look at the game that was…’.

‘As it turns out, that interception was the low point of the game for the Bills rookie quarterback, who would bounce back and earn his first ever regular season road win. It was a step in the right direction for Manuel but it settles nothing as the season long evaluation of the Florida State product moves to its final two games. Manuel still has plenty to prove.’

‘What’s confusing to me is the defense. First, where is Mario Williams? After the first half of the season I would’ve named him defensive MVP. He is never noticeable anymore and the sacks are few and far between. It seems like once it looked like the season was over, Williams started going through the motions.’