Archives for August 2014

‘To put it lightly, Branch hasn’t been having a strong preseason. After receiving a three-year contract extension with a $3.1 million signing bonus after the 2013 season, Branch reported to camp out of shape and failed his conditioning test. Since, he hasn’t gotten to play with the first or even second-team defense much at all. He’s been stuck on the third team and isn’t making enough plays to move up the depth chart.’

‘Sammy Watkins went down with an injury early in the game on Saturday, so Robert Woods got his chance at extended time with the Bills’ first-team offense. He made the most of it, catching three passes on six targets for 49 yards. The Bills’ wide receiver depth chart is crowded, but Manuel obviously has a lot of faith in Woods, so that should help the second-year receiver get his share of reps.’

‘But Manuel is making progress. He may have made a few bad plays Saturday night, but he had a decent number of good throws. He was efficient in the short passing game and completed a few deeper throws. That’s a good thing. But he needs to find a way to get his team in the end zone.’

Shazier’s debut highlights first Steelers preseason win in two years, 19-16 (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Finished product short of halfway (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Offense thrives with no-huddle (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Rookie LB Shazier impresses in Steelers debut (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

LeBeau not about to simplify defense (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

Heyward anchors defensive line (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

Steelers LB Timmons settling in at buck position (Beaver County Times)

Practice pays off for Steelers offensive line (Beaver County Times)

Shazier a big hit in win (Beaver County Times)

Three players that stood out for Steelers (Beaver County Times)

Steelers’ starters impressive against Buffalo (Washington Observer Reporter)

Shazier dynamic in Steelers debut (Uniontown Herald Standard)

Shazier stands out early for Steelers in preseason debut (Erie Times News)

Steelers at 1-1 after 19-16 win (Steelers.com)

What went right, wrong vs. Buffalo (Steelers.com)

Coach Tomlin’s Post-Game Comments (Steelers.com)

Shazier is Digest Player of Week (Steelers.com)

Photo gallery (Steelers.com)

Photo gallery (Syracuse Post-Standard)

Photo gallery (AP)

‘”Up until this point, he’s been as good as advertised,” Marrone said. “I think the thing that I’ve been … the most impressed with is the way he handles himself and his maturity. He handles himself like a player who has been in the league a long time.”‘

‘EJ Manuel completed 17 of 27 passes for 148 yards and an interception while playing the entire first half for Buffalo (1-2), but the Bills’ starting offense failed to reach the end zone for the third straight game.’

‘”We just have to finish,” tight end Scott Chandler said. “We have to get in the end zone.”‘

‘Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the draft, walked off the field clutching his side during Buffalo’s initial drive of the game after Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier went over his back during a pass play. Watkins spent a few minutes on the sideline before being taken to the locker room.’

‘E.J. Manuel finished 17-of-27 for 148 yards and one interception for the Bills. Anthony Dixon rushed 10 times for 26 yards and Buffalo’s lone TD, a one-yard run in the third quarter. Fred Jackson led the club with seven grabs for 28 yards.’

‘The Bills appeared to be taken by surprise by the Steelers’ no-huddle offense and took a while to adjust defensively. “We came out a little slow,” Buffalo cornerback Nickell Robey said. “We definitely could have come out with a lot more intensity.”‘

‘Watkins was hurt when he was hit by Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and cornerback Cortez Allen while attempting to make a first-quarter catch. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, the Bills announced.’

‘Manuel and most of the Bills’ first-team offense played out the half, running 45 total plays, but failed to record a touchdown. Two incomplete passes in the end zone, one intended for Robert Woods and the other for Chandler, ended Manuel’s final drive of the day.’

‘EJ Manuel and the first unit, for the third straight outing, failed to perform a function that is essential to the survival of most offenses in the NFL. After a total of 10 drives in the preseason, the Manuel-led Bills have yet to score a touchdown.’

‘Graham’s story, appearing on The Buffalo News’ website Saturday evening, says multiple sources informed him that Bon Jovi and the Toronto group reached out to Kelly, and that the quarterback has, “at least considered the possibility.”‘

‘Tied at 16 with 1:56 remaining the Steelers tried to mount a drive to break the deadlock. Rookie S Deon Broomfieldfoiled that effort with an interception with under a minute remaining at the Bills 29. But just three plays later Jeff Tuelwas sacked and fumbled. Pittsburgh recovered as Howard Jones returned it to the one-yard line. Two plays later Shaun Suisham kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Steelers at 19-16 victory.’