Archives for September 2014

‘Red-zone offense has been an ongoing problem for the Bills. Last year they scored touchdowns on just 34 percent of their penetrations, which ranked them a woeful 29th in the league. Never mind that the Bills led the league in overall scoring percentage on red zone trips – 95.4 percent. That was due to Dan Carpenter’s reliable field goal kicking.’

‘Spiller returned a third-quarter kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown to give the Bills a 16-3 lead against the Dolphins. It was his second career kickoff return TD. This is Spiller’s second special teams player of the week award; he also won the award in Week 3 of his rookie 2010 season.’

‘”I really think we handle it here,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “In our building it’s a non-issue. It’s not brought up, there’s nothing to talk about. We practice every day in the 10 o’clock hour every day of the week. We’re in here at 7 o’clock as far as team stuff. We have a lot of guys that are in here before then. It really is a non-issue. We have to go there, get ready to play and kick it off.”‘

‘”He’s still got it, man,” Buffalo Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham said. “It’s actually kind of amazing to see him, I don’t know, it’s like he gets better every year.”‘

‘”I think it’s a situation where the league, which obviously I’m not involved with as far as the Manhattan headquarters, but I think it’s an opportunity for them to come out and be able to, whether it be from an awareness standpoint or a policy standpoint, I think it’s an opportunity to for us to do good,” Marrone said Wednesday. “Not just for the NFL, but for all of sports. I hope that gets accomplished, and I’m sure it will.”‘

‘The only player who missed practice on Wednesday was linebacker Randell Johnson, who sustained a knee injury in the Bills’ Week 2 win over the Dolphins. On Tuesday, the Bills signed linebacker Larry Dean to the active roster, so they shouldn’t have a huge problem replacing Johnson if need be.’

‘”That’s good, and I wish them a lot of luck, but that’s a very high price for the team,” Trump said. “I looked at the team very closely, and I wish them a lot of luck as the expression goes.”‘

‘Here are a few things that stood out about Watkins and the rest of the Bills after re-watching the win over the Dolphins.’

‘All I can say is that my base reaction to the new and improved Ralph is: $130 million doesn’t seem to buy as much as it used to.’

Chargers’ depth proves an asset early (San Diego Union Tribune)

‘Grown up’ Ingram learns to be a pro (San Diego Union Tribune)

Flowers, Attaochu hurting; Gates, Freeney resting (San Diego Union Tribune)

Injury creates opportunity for Chargers rookie Oliver (Riverside Press Enterprise)

Gates highlights AFC’s top players (The Sports Network)

Hot Chargers eager to face unbeaten Bills (The Sports Xchange)

Special Teams Vital Against Buffalo (Chargers.com)

If Needed, Branden Oliver “Ready to Go” (Chargers.com)

Congrats Gates! Wins AFC Offensive Player of Week (Chargers.com)

Q&A with Cornerback Brandon Flowers (Chargers.com)

‘A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the Pegulas have relinquished their involvement and are divesting their interest in Five Star Athlete Management, an Atlanta-based sports agency that represents NFL players.’

‘”I’m not going to try to mitigate what’s going on with the red zone, but, at the same time, the Chicago one we were playing for the field goal to win the game and (against Miami) there were three times in the red zone that right, wrong or indifferent, I was playing conservative to get to the two-score lead again,� Marrone said.’

‘In a statement to the media following the finance meeting, Terry Pegula stated that they didn’t consider themselves to be NFL owners just yet. In three weeks time that could, and likely will, change on a permanent basis.’

‘”I felt pretty good. Moving around pretty well and just keeping it day by day,” Rivers said following the workout. “We’ll see how it goes as a progression. Hopefully we’re ready to go.”‘

‘In the second half, the Bills essentially took the ball out of Manuel’s hands. The quarterback attempted 19 passes in the first half, and because his team was in the lead, he only threw seven more the rest of the way. His touchdown pass came in the second half on a YAC-friendly short crossing route that Watkins was able to run into the end zone from 14 yards out.’