Archives for September 29, 2014

‘”It was really important to me,” Fitzpatrick said after the game. “Part of it was just because I spent four years of my life there raising my family. Buffalo means a lot to me, not only as a player and my interactions with the fans, but as a family guy and a member of the community and all that.”‘

‘”He wasn’t in my head. J.J.’s a great player and we knew coming in that he was going to have his opportunities to make plays and get in the backfield as much as he could, but he wasn’t in my head.”‘

‘The 316 total yards wasn’t a terrible total, but there were so many puzzling things about the way the Bills arrived at a mediocre, 17-point total in a 23-17 loss to the Texans. Quarterback EJ Manuel struggled, the play calling was curious, and according to wide receiver Mike Williams, the Bills were thrown off by what the Texans threw at them.’

‘For as inconsistent and frustrating as the Bills’ offense has been this season, the defense has been just as solid as most expected it to be. But on Sunday, the Bills suffered two key losses. Both linebacker Nigel Bradham and defensive tackle Kyle Williams were taken to the locker room with knee injuries and quickly ruled out for the game.’

‘C.J. Spiller (15 carries, 60 yards) and Fred Jackson (seven carries, 33 yards) both ran the ball well. Why didn’t they get more carries?’

‘For reasons only known to them, Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett decided to throw their young signal caller to the wolves. During a game they trailed by more than one score for all of 13 seconds, the Bills inexplicably dropped back to pass twice as many times as they called runs. On the road. Against a team that gave up 194 rushing yards last week. With JJ Watt across the line.’

‘The offense is the biggest liability with this team. The defense is keeping the Bills in games, but the offense isn’t getting the job done. Head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will need to figure out a solution if the Bills are going to compete for a playoff spot this season.’

‘The defences dominated. Both quarterbacks — Manuel and his Bills predecessor, Ryan Fitzpatrick — had tough days. Combined they threw 81 times for just 484 yards, with four interceptions.’

‘Under heavy pressure all afternoon, EJ Manuel finished with 225 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Bills (2-2). Buffalo was driving late when Darryl Morris picked him off at the Houston 15 to secure the victory.’

‘They had a solid defensive performance that included forcing three turnovers, including two interceptions but failed to overcome another flat performance by Manuel and the rest of the offense.’

‘Bradham injured his knee after he intercepted Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to start the second half.’

‘The league said Sunday that the Oct. 12 game between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will be on Fox instead of CBS, which owns the AFC package. The policy change in the current TV rights agreement aims to gain bigger audiences for appealing games.’

‘As expected, Buffalo backup receiver and special teams player Marcus Easley is inactive because of an injured left leg.’

‘Manuel threw a pair of touchdown passes, including an 80-yarder to Mike Williams in the fourth quarter, but made good on just 21-of-44 attempts for 225 yards.’