Archives for December 2014

‘”You’re stuck with me,” Marrone said. “Fortunately or unfortunately.”‘

‘”It just breaks your heart, you know? You sit there and put it all into it for a long time and you really don’t do it for anybody but yourselves and for the guys next to you in the locker room. We still have one game to go and we’ll play as hard as we can and try to get a win. Certainly when you’ve gone this long and you’re right there and you have a chance and you put it all on the line and you don’t come through, it stings. It hurts.”‘

‘The biggest issue for me was Doug Marrone punting on fourth-and-one from the Buffalo 46 in the fourth quarter. The Raiders then went on a touchdown drive that chewed up 5:22 and gave them a 26-17 lead. Buffalo lucked into a comeback after Oakland missed the field goal. I don’t know if Buffalo got caught looking past the Raiders, but it sure seemed like it. Another year with no playoffs, and this one will be tough for fans to swallow.’

‘As for the rest of the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is one of the major reasons why this unit is one of the league’s worst. Marrone should return in 2015, but Hackett shouldn’t. There should be a new offensive coordinator next season.’

‘The brutal Bills offensive line is to blame, yet only to a degree. Same with the overly protective, overly conservative scheme and play calls of head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.’

Oakland Raiders beat Buffalo Bills 26-24 (Oakland Tribune)

Raiders rookie Khalil Mack continues to impress (Oakland Tribune)

Oakland Raiders fans party like it’s 2015 (Oakland Tribune)

Latavius Murray, Darren McFadden form a powerful one-two rushing punch against the Bills (Oakland Tribune)

Oakland Raiders honor 4-year-old girl (Contra Costa Times)

Oakland Raiders on upswing, but true culture change takes time (San Jose Mercury News)

Photo gallery (San Jose Mercury News)

Raiders top Bills for 3rd home win in row (San Francisco Chronicle)

Sticking with run pays dividends (San Francisco Chronicle)

Raiders’ competitive spirit shows a transformation is afoot (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stats and fact from Raiders vs. Bills (San Francisco Chronicle)

Game grades for win over Bills (San Francisco Chronicle)

Knockout Punch (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Rookie defender Mack on track (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Photo gallery (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Photo gallery (Sacramento Bee)

Raiders knock Bills out of playoffs with 26-24 win (AP)

Raiders in Oakland for 2015, NFL seeks two future L.A. teams (The Sports Xchange)

Raiders hold off Bills for third win of season (CSN Bay Area)

Raiders run game dominates stout Bills defense (CSN Bay Area)

Raiders’ Khalil Mack virtually unstoppable vs. Bills (CSN Bay Area)

Sparano ‘made his case’ to remove interim tag (CSN Bay Area)

Photo gallery (CSN Bay Area)

Raiders Hang on to Beat Bills 26-24 (Raiders.com)

How It Unfolded – Raiders vs. Bills (Raiders.com)

Raiders vs. Bills Quick Hits (Raiders.com)

Raiders vs. Bills Postgame Quotes (Raiders.com)

Streaks Collide at O.co (Raiders.com)

Photo gallery (BuffaloBills.com)

Photo gallery 1 (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery 2 (Buffalo News)

Photo gallery (Rochester D&C)

Photo gallery (Syracuse Post-Standard)

‘”Dreams get crushed. Nightmare,” running back C.J. Spiller said.’

‘Dareus was helped off the field after getting hurt early in the second quarter on Sunday. He was originally listed as questionable to return, but the Bills announced later he was out for the game.’

‘With Spiller back, running back Bryce Brown is inactive Sunday for the Bills. The other inactive players for Buffalo are cornerback Ross Cockrell, linebackers LB Larry Dean and Randell Johnson, offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio, receiver Deonte Thompson and tight end Chris Gragg.’

‘”It breaks your heart. When you’ve gone this long and you don’t come through, it hurts,” said Orton. “It was all there, we just didn’t have execution. And in the end it cost us. I’m disappointed in myself.”‘

‘”Still got one game to go. We’ll play as hard as we can and try to get a win. But, certainly, when you’ve gone this long and you’re right there with a chance and you put it all on the line and you don’t come through, it hurts.”‘

‘Their offense needs a serious offseason upgrade, especially up front. The Bills rushed for 13 yards on 13 carries against the Raiders. “We’re all grown men. We work very hard, we dedicate ourselves to this game,” Bills tight end Lee Smith said. “You get your ass whipped up front for four quarters, it’s embarrassing. We take it personal, and there’s no excuse for it.”‘

‘After being examined by Buffalo’s medical staff, Gilmore left the game and was, according to the Bills, being evaluated for a concussion. At the end of the third quarter, the Bills announced that Gilmore would not return.’

‘Dareus walked off the field under his own power after being examined by the Bills’ medical staff. He walked to the locker room with 12:52 remaining in the first half. He returned to the sidelines to test his knee but returned to the locker room before halftime.’

‘The third quarter belonged to the Raiders, as they controlled the clock and kicked two field goals to make it 19-10. Buffalo’s offense finally came to lfie towards the end of the quarter, and they started the 4th quarter with a touchdown pass to Scott Chandler to cut the lead to 19-17.’