Archives for August 2015

'“I have the utmost confidence in myself because I know this game,” Bryant said. “I know this scheme like the back of my hand. I know I can go out there and get the job done.”'

'Given another day to think it over, I’m more convinced that Tyrod Taylor deserves the nod, and that Matt Cassel would be a weak and uninspiring pick.'

'This isn't a team in a two- or three-year rebuild. The Bills built this roster to contend now. This season. Ryan continues to say he expects his team to be in the playoffs. He absolutely has to get this decision right to make that happen.'

'Who do I believe deserved to be the winner of this months-long competition based on performance? Tyrod Taylor because he was certainly the most dynamic player this summer, he’s someone who brings a dual run-pass threat to Greg Roman’s offense, and he’s an unproven, unknown talent which therefore makes him wildly interesting.'

'After speaking with Bradham I reached out to Bills General Manager Doug Whaley who indicated the organization needs to know how the Dareus situation is going to play out before being able to negotiate extensions with other pending free agents. The Bills have several players set to hit the open market in March 2016, including Dareus, Bradham and offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Whaley called Dareus the team’s top priority earlier this offseason.'

'I don’t know. I know all the guys, every quarterback on our team has been playing well. It is a decision the coaches got to make. Like I said I’m comfortable and confident in the way that I have been playing. But all I can do is focus on what I do out there on the field. And that is more so my mindset going into a game is just execution and moving the offense up and down the field.'

'His NFL career summary: One play.'

'And though Taylor looked good and Cassel was his pedestrian self — both had solid numbers — Manuel was beyond lights out.'

'Good problem No. 1: Manuel, once thought to be out of the competition, started and completed his first two passes, the second a 67-yard scoring strike to tight end Charles Clay. Surprisingly, he was re-inserted in the third quarter and connected with wide receiver Tobias Palmer for a 37-yard touchdown. He finished 7 of 8 for 170 yards and had a perfect passer rating of 158.3.'

'This was beyond a baptism by fire. One major potential hole in this Buffalo Bills defense was exposed in a 43-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pick your play. Darby was toasted on a 63-yard completion to Martavis Bryant. He was flagged for two pass interference penalties – one that cost 35 yards and one in the end zone. He was even beat for 16 yards by a player named Shakim Phillips.'

'Based on his performance the last two preseason games, Tyrod Taylor deserves to be the starter. If this truly were an open competition, as Ryan insisted, Taylor did more than the other contenders to warrant the No. 1 job.'

'“I still have a lot to prove and that’s how I approach the game,” Jackson said. “Just continue to prove yourself and today was a good step in the right direction.”'

'EJ Manuel: He started and promptly showed off that big arm of his on his second pass attempt of the night, connecting with Charles Clay for a 67-yard touchdown. Then, he returned to the game in the third quarter and found Tobias Palmer for a 37-yard score. Finished the night 7-for-8 for 170 yards and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Looked as comfortable and as confident as he has at any time since joining the Bills in 2013.'

'Whereas Matt Cassel mostly dinked and dunked underneath in completing 6 of 7 passes for 38 yards, Taylor brought the excitement again. He went 12 of 13 for 122 yards — pump-faking, calmly looking off defenders, showing sharp accuracy — and also sprinted ahead on a 20-yard touchdown run.'

'"I talked about the problem I always wanted, and I think I got it," Ryan said. "But to me it's not a problem. All three guys had a tremendous preseason, and that's all you can ask. I feel really good about how they did."'