Archives for October 17, 2014

‘"I had some tough times in the preseason," Kouandjio said six games into a rookie season in which he hasn’t dressed for a game. "I found myself at a crossroads. You can either give up and go home or keep fighting. I just chose to keep fighting. I stopped thinking so much and stopped doing too much."’

‘”The main thing is to make sure he can’t be back there comfortable, because then he’ll pick you apart,” Brown said.’

‘In the 30-second ad, Thomas looks into the camera and says that Cuomo has “stood up” for Western New York. The Cuomo campaign did not reveal the cost of the ad.’

‘Talk about a marketing #fail.’

‘”I’m not off to the best start in my career, but I still have all the confidence in the world that I’ll be where I want to be when the smoke clears,” Spiller said.’

‘”Can anybody imagine Bills’ history without Van’s voice on the soundtrack? Can you tell the team’s story without mentioning Van? You can’t,” said John Murphy, Van’s popular color analyst for 16 seasons who replaced him as voice of the Bills in 2004. “If there were a fan vote, he would’ve been on the Wall already.”’

‘”I mean … I look at it this way: I’ve matured,” Brown said. “I know if this was the old Bryce in this situation, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. So I think that shows a lot, just about my maturity the last few years. I remember when I was in college and things didn’t go my way, in the past, I just walked away. That just showed I’ve matured a lot.”‘

‘”From any of the players that haven’t been playing – I’d rather put it that way – I see him as one of the most improved from what you’ve seen in the preseason and what you’ve seen of him when you watched it,” Marrone said. “His movement skills right now, it’s truly been a 180 from what we saw in the preseason. I’m really excited about that. Now, since that has increased, we’re looking to see where we can develop him and where he can fit.”‘

‘The good news for Buffalo is that long snapper Garrison Sanborn returned to a full practice, so the Bills won’t have to scramble to fill his spot for the game against the Vikings on Sunday.’

‘”The kid is just good,” Rhodes said. “He’s explosive when he comes out of his breaks. I can say about his game now is he’s more detailed now. They’re probably on him for being more detailed, being at the right spot at the right time, not drifting his routes.”‘

Cure for Vikings offense? In Norv they trust (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Rhodes, Watkins to renew rivalry in Buffalo (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Vikings’ offensive struggles challenge Norv Turner (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings’ shooting star Cordarrelle Patterson trying to get back on track (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings’ Chad Greenway expected to play this week in Buffalo (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Vikings punter Jeff Locke will face more wind, chill this week (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Matt Asiata glad to have Mike Zimmer’s support (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Chuck Foreman still struck by ’75 snowball fiasco (Saint Paul Pioneer Press)

Patterson, Vikings receivers out to prove themselves (Fox Sports North)

Turner says Bridgewater may be ‘a little bit too careful’ (Fox Sports North)

Expectations weigh on Cordarrelle Patterson, who is still learning (KSTP-AM)

Vikings focusing on the drop issue in practice this week (KSTP-AM)

Vikings don’t appear to be changing starters along the offensive line (KSTP-AM)

Bills X-Factor: TE Scott Chandler (Vikings.com)

Ticketmaster Hot Matchup: Vikings Air Defense vs. Buffalo’s Air Attack (Vikings.com)

Practice Roundup 10/16: WRs Target Separation (Vikings.com)

‘”Nope. I’m not worried at all,” Spiller said with a defiant tone this week. “Obviously, you want to play more. But certain things happen throughout the game where you have to go to different packages. But I’m not concerned. I’m not there at all.”‘

‘Also has not allowed TD rushing,’

‘Bills 21, Vikings 13.’