Archives for December 2014

‘Summers became expendable after his playing time began to dwindle. The third-year player started seven of Buffalo’s first nine games before being listed inactive in each of the past four.’

‘Summers started six of the first seven games this season, but has been inactive for the past four weeks. Used mostly as a blocker, Summers had six carries for 17 yards and a touchdown.’

‘Summers was signed by Buffalo as a free agent on April 18, 2013 and entered the NFL as a fifth-round (169th overall) draft selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009.’

‘Easley is often overlooked, but he was missed when he was out of the lineup. And he’s one of the reasons the Bills special teams continue to shine.’

‘”We knew all week that special teams wasn’t their strong point,” TE MarQueis Gray said in the locker room following Sunday’s win. “They gave up some blocked punts this year and we figured if we went after them and made some plays then we would have a good advantage this week.”‘

‘Then they will need help. Lots of it. Provided the Bills win out, if three of the following five scenarios play out, Buffalo would end the NFL’s longest streak of consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance at 14.’

‘Bills fans know one thing. They’re still alive for the playoffs. That’s a refreshing change from the last five seasons, when they went into the last two weeks with at least nine losses and nothing but holiday pride on the line.’

‘A State Police DWI Saturation Patrol around the stadium made 163 traffic stops and issued 68 traffic tickets.’

‘”I’m feeling a lot better now,” Christie said on Monday. “When the result came back, I said I want to be somewhat vocal about it, because this is something that can be prevented. Or at least if it is diagnosed early, it makes a heckuva difference.”‘

‘The Raiders are 2-12 and are one of the worst teams in the NFL, but the Bills better not sleep on these guys because Oakland will be at home and playing with nothing to lose. That’s always a scary combination for a team in playoff contention. How utterly sickening would it be for Buffalo to negate its tremendous victory over Green Bay by laying an egg in Oakland and blowing up the season? Yeah, very.’

‘AFC North rivals Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore are all at nine wins, while AFC West rivals Kansas City and San Diego are at eight. If one of the teams from the North loses twice, and both the Chargers and Chiefs lose at least once, two wins by the Bills gets them in.’

‘”You know, he’s cleared, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he practices during the week,” Marrone said. “I’d like to see more participation before we make that decision.”‘

‘But the Bills’ 21-13 win makes one wonder where the Bills would be with even an average quarterback. Kyle Orton again struggled, and outside of two games against the Jets, he hasn’t looked like a starting quarterback in the NFL.’

‘”Doug Marrone, the Bills’ head coach, should be very much in the running for coach of the year,” Polian said. “The Packers are a much better team, but they weren’t yesterday in Ralph Wilson Stadium, and that’s to Doug Marrone’s credit, that’s to Jim Schwartz’s credit and that team’s credit.”‘