Archives for September 23, 2015

'“The only time you actually think about it is when that paycheck is in your locker,” Clay said. “But when I’m lined up on the field, I’m not thinking, ‘Oh, they just paid me this much money…’ I’m not thinking of it. Even when I came here, I know for a fact that the money is based off what I’ve done. So I don’t feel like I’m sitting here trying to prove to people why I got it – I guess that’s what keeps my mind at ease.'

'Cassel, in his 11th NFL season, was the Bills’ No. 2 quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor the past two weeks. EJ Manuel is now expected to assume that role. It is unclear what the Bills’ plans are for a third quarterback.'

'"That humidity and stuff down there in Florida, it can be really tough," he said. "Especially early on in the season, guys are still trying to get into shape the way they want to, so going down there in that humidity, you never know how many plays you're going to be playing … the humidity definitely can take charge if you're not hydrated. Sometimes even if you are hydrated it still will, but if you're hydrated, you at least give your body and yourself a chance."'

'"I would hope that we could move past all this, but I definitely understand that it's still going to be prevalent, probably through the end of this year," Incognito said of addressing his tumultuous departure from the Dolphins midway through the 2013 season. "Probably the Monday Night Football guys will be bringing it up five years from now, so we'll see."'

'For the sake of your scalp, your loved ones, your dog and your sanity, take a deep breath and put the game into football perspective, if not real-life perspective. We all know that what happens on Sundays sets the mood on Mondays in Buffalo, but nobody died on the field against the Pats. Here’s another viewpoint: Football season is like a round of match play in golf. It allows for wayward shots and blowup holes. You can afford to take a few quadruple bogeys along the way. You can shoot 85 and still beat a scratch handicapper by getting your swing in order on the other holes.'

'Kent Hull: "We were embarrassed and humiliated last week, but there really wasn't anything said about it. Everybody knew what happened. I think people just decided it was time to start playing football. We just ran the old counter. Everybody runs the counter. I can remember games where our line blocked well, but I just can't remember getting those long gainers like we did tonight.'

'Cassel, who the Bills traded for, cut and re-signed this offseason, officially goes down with a 1-0 record as a Bills' quarterback since he started and took one snap in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.'

'"I would hope that we could move past all this," Incognito said, "but I definitely understand that it's still going to be prevalent probably through the end of this year and probably the Monday Night Football guys will be bringing it up five years from now. So we'll see."'

'Unless Weeden is a thing of beauty on the field — which would be a career first — expect Cassel to eventually position himself to get some bridge playing time before Romo’s return.'

'Cassel, who made the 2010 Pro Bowl, has 15,727 passing yards and 96 touchdowns to go with 70 interceptions in 10 seasons. The 33-year-old is 33-38 as a starter.'

'What this tells you is the Cowboys are all in for this season, despite an injury to Romo that will knock him out at least until the Miami game on Nov. 22. Cassel, who will supplant Kellen Moore once he's comfortable calling plays, will provide insurance for Weeden. Might even eventually beat him out.'

'Cassel has yet to recreate that magic. His career record as a starter is 34-38 in stints with New England (2005-08), Kansas City (2009-12) and Minnesota (2013-14) before the brief time in Buffalo in 2015. He lost the starting job to Tyrod Taylor in training camp.'

'The 14 penalties accepted against Buffalo aren’t the most by a team this season. Dallas was flagged 18 times by Corrente’s crew in its 20-10 win on Sunday over Philadelphia. Despite the win, the Patriots weren’t exactly Boy Scouts, as Ryan may have said. They were called for 13 penalties, 11 of which were accepted by the Bills. Eight of those 13 penalties were on the offense, two against the defense, and three on special teams.'

'“He’s developed from that,” Pouncey said. “I think it’s made him a better person on the football field. When you watch him on film, he’s playing the game the right way. I wish him nothing but success.”'

'Cassel said he turned down offers to sign with other teams to stay in Buffalo because he was familiar with the Bills' system and because he didn't want to relocate his wife, who was eight months pregnant.'