Archives for August 24, 2014

‘”We just knew we had to have a great mentality all week to come out here and show what we could do as a defense,” said Bradham. “We knew we had to have great communication out of us as linebackers. We knew we had to make plays when the opportunity was given to us. That was our mindset and it’s going to be our mindset for the entire year. We want to be the best linebacker corps in the league and we’re going to work toward that every day.”‘

‘State police told the Associated Press that Branch was arrested around 2 a.m. on Saturday in Cheektowaga when police noticed that Branch was vomiting out of his driver’s side door. The Buffalo Bills’ defensive tackle, who was inactive for the team’s 27-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, failed a field sobriety test and bad a blood alcohol content of .14. The legal limit is .08.’

‘”The stadium revolution is now coming around for the second circle, and the Bills will have to get on board in Buffalo or move to a new venue in Toronto,” Vrooman said.’

‘”I’m not going to sit here and say I’m satisfied with the backup quarterback,” Marrone said. “I’m not.”‘

‘Surrounded by a wall of cards in the video, Kelly says: “I just want to thank everybody for the well wishes, the cards, the pictures, the prayers, everything that everybody has sent to me as far as well wishes, thank you, thank you, thank you. God bless you.”‘

‘Mr. Future Owner, you have enormous shoes to fill! As you take the baton of ownership into the future, I trust that you too will passionately preserve and perpetuate the very things that have made our team great. It’s your turn to carry on the legacy. It’s your season to encourage and motivate. It’s now your time to rally the family to victory. Thank you in advance for providing future memories for me, my family and the countless Buffalo Bills fans across the world.’

‘One of the most discouraging performances by a Buffalo offense in a long time. And given this team’s pedigree the last 14 years, that’s quite a statement.’

‘”Alan Branch, it was reported to me that he was arrested,” coach Doug Marrone said when asked why Branch was inactive for the game. “I’m going to meet with him tomorrow. I found out somewhere around noon time, midday. I tried to call him and get ahold of him, and I finally did through someone else. I said, ‘I’ll meet with you tomorrow.’ I don’t want to say anything I don’t know the truth about. I excused him from being here today.”‘

‘Saturday was supposed to be when the Bills’ starters were at their best. Instead, they delivered their worst performance of the preseason in the first half. There is work to be done in Buffalo before the Bills open the regular season in Chicago on Sept. 7.’

‘”I don’t think they should have done that, especially when the game first started and they weren’t as loud as they could have been,” Bills running back Anthony Dixon said after the game. “I felt like when we first went out there they (were) looking for something to go wrong.”‘

‘”Yeah, there’s a few things I was asking for, but of course, (Marrone) said we’re saving this and that for the regular season, which I understand,” Manuel said. “But at the same time, we still want to go out there and win and we want to score touchdowns, but there are some things we’re going to continue saving for Chicago (the regular season opener).”‘

‘The scoreboard read 24-0, but that didn’t tell the whole story. At halftime, Manuel was 9-18 for 67 yards, good for 3.7 yards per attempt. To make matters worse, he threw an interception and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The Bills’ first-team offense allowed a touchdown before it scored one this preseason.’

‘It’s been a tough preseason for Branch. After signing a three-year contract extension with a $3.1 million signing bonus after the 2013 season, he reported to camp out of shape and failed his conditioning test. In last week’s preseason game, Branch was surprised he didn’t play until the fourth quarter. It led to questions about whether or not he would make the 53-man roster.’

‘”It was amazing. Our new locker room. The new cafeteria is unbelievable. I didn’t really look outside the stadium too much because we come through the back way. From what I heard, it looked amazing. They did a great job. Now it’s time for us to get back and get those ‘Ws.'”‘