Archives for December 2014

‘”Absolutely, it’s going to be a huge test for this team and we’re going to see how we come out, especially on the road being in Denver next week,” safety Aaron Williams said following the Bills’ 26-10 win over the Browns on Sunday. “We’re going to be put to the test. But as long as we do what we did today and have good communication, run the ball, be physical. I feel that it’s going to be a good game.”‘

‘”If facing those three is daunting and you’re worried or you’re scared about it, I don’t want to play with you,” said Williams, a defensive tackle for Buffalo. “It’s a challenge, obviously, because they are great players. We feel like we’re pretty good players too. We have to prepare, and we have to be on top of our business. We have to go out there and try to win one football game next week. You can’t look at everybody. You can only focus on what you have in front of you, and we have a good test in front of us.”‘

‘The move was announced Tuesday, two months after Kim and husband Terry Pegula purchased the Bills. On the board, she replaces former Bills executive Mary Owen, who is no longer with the team.’

‘If you’re picturing Jerry Hughes rushing from this side and thinking that can be a matchup the Bills might like, I’d have to agree with you. Hughes has been spectacular this season with 9.5 sacks to Quinn’s 9. Hughes has a better supporting cast as well. While the Bills have three players currently ranked in the top 12, the Rams don’t have a single guy in that group (Quinn is 13th and DT Aaron Donald is tied for 24th with 6).’

‘Thomas originally entered the NFL after signing with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft. The 6-1, 225-pound Troy product is the Sunbelt Conference all-time touchdown receptions leader, having caught 28 career scores during his four years with the Trojans. Thomas, 23, is a native of Shreveport, LA.’

‘The Bills owner will be one of seven members on the board of the non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those involved in the game of football.’

‘One more grade from PFF.com worth mentioning, the 6.1 grade handed out to Bills LB Nigel Bradham. He finished the Browns game with 12 tackles and one sack. Pro Football Focus named him the player of the game, saying he was “the best player on a defense that made life impossible for the Cleveland offense.”‘

‘Of course, the Bills problem isn’t so much their overall record, but rather the difficult position they’re in as it relates to the tiebreakers.’

‘”Jairus is gone, man. He’s been gone for a long time,” Williams said. “We’ve got to stop bringing Jairus up. He’s in New Orleans doing his thing. It’s Searcy and I’s secondary now. If people don’t like it, I’m sorry; I don’t know how you wouldn’t.’

‘All three AFC North teams currently at 7-5 (they all lost Sunday), do no better than split their remaining four games. That would give each of them at least seven losses and make conference tiebreakers moot if the Bills actually won at New England in our dreamy scenario. I can see it happening.’

‘Upon Further Review, Sunday’s performance was certainly a mixed bag of good and bad, but in the end, the Bills did enough to keep hope alive for at least one more week.’

‘”I have no idea. I really don’t,” coach Doug Marrone said Monday of Watkins’ availability when practice resumes Wednesday as the Bills get ready for their game in Denver. “I’ll have a better gauge on it by Wednesday.”‘

‘Meanwhile, the Bills are continuing to evaluate tight end Chris Gragg and defensive end Jarius Wynn, who are both dealing with a knee injury. Running back C.J. Spiller, who was placed on injured reserve designated to return, is eligible to begin practicing this week but can’t return to game action until Week 16. Marrone said the Bills would have an update later in the week on whether Spiller would be able to get back on the field.’

‘They also could use a Dolphins loss on Monday Night Football against the Jets. When it comes down to it, the Bills need the teams that have a tiebreaker over them to lose. That means Bills fans should root against the Chargers, Chiefs and Dolphins first, and then root against any other team still in the AFC playoff picture after that. Buffalo is likely going to need to hit 10 wins and then get a bit of help. But hey, the Bills are in the playoff hunt heading into December. That doesn’t happen every year.’