Archives for October 22, 2015

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'“But we’re going to do what we can to right the ship.”'

'"I'd say that I probably agree with them," Ryan said. "Should we have rushed more this past week in particular? That's probably true. I'm not perfect as a play-caller and all that and I know that surprises you guys. But I try to do the best. If I'm going to make a mistake, it's going to be something that I feel strongly about. If it doesn't work out at the end of the day, then that happens."'

'“I’m coming here to do anything I can for this team,” Kouandjio said. “They want me to play and that’s what I’m going to do.”'

'“We saw last week, he’s one of the best backs in the entire league,” coach Rex Ryan said. “So obviously, when we played without him, it was a huge loss for us. But the fact that he’s coming back – is he 100 percent? Maybe not – but he’s better than 90-some percent of the backs in the league.'

'Asked how often he was asked to drop into coverage, Umenyiora, who is from England, works in the NFL’s London office and is doing television work for the BBC in advance of Sunday’s Bills-Jaguars game here, said flatly, “That didn’t happen.”'

'"I'm not going to touch any of it," Ryan said. "I'll just leave it where it is right now."'

'Several players have referred to this week as a "business trip." And Woods himself called this game a "must-win situation" after the Bills lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-21, last week. The Bills absolutely don't want to head into their bye week with a losing record. But from the cars driving on the other side of the street to the accents to the many, many cultural differences, it's a chance to experience something far beyond American football, too.'

'Terry and Kim Pegula chartered the Boeing 747-400 that took off Wednesday from Buffalo carrying a contingent of suite-holders and sponsors on an all-expenses-paid weekend that includes afternoon tea, a Tower of London reception and three nights at a five-star hotel.'

'W. Christopher Winter is a sleep specialist who has worked with professional sports teams for several years and just completed his seventh training camp working with the Oklahoma City Thunder.'

'“We see more and more of our fans spend more time on digital platforms,” said Hans Schroeder, an NFL senior vice president. “We want to evolve with the landscape.”'

'"They're going to want to rush the passer; they're going to want to rush even when it's a run because that's just what defensive linemen do, so I can understand their frustration," said Umenyiora, the London-born 11-year NFL veteran defensive end who retired prior to this season and is here in England working for the BBC television network.'

'"I'm feeling good, made progress from last week, taking it day by day, and I'm prepping for Jacksonville," said Taylor. "It feels good, it's getting better. I'm constantly talking to the trainers and getting feedback from them, but at the end of the day, it's up to the coaches to make the decision. I'm not really focusing on that part, just mentally getting ready for Jacksonville and the preparation that it takes."'

'The Bills' hotel is amazing, not that we are allowed to go in. Our on-site media room is in what is called the potting shed. Clueless as to what that means, but I'm pretty sure it was a greenhouse in a former life. Driving in, I noticed the golf course here on the property. It looks great, and it must be because I heard it's hosting the 2016 British Masters. If I could afford it, I'd play, but I can't, so I won't. Going rate right now is about 200 pounds, or $350 bucks. I'm guessing that won't fly on the expense report.'

'“This is a really fascinating move by the NFL, even though they are kind of the last major adopters of streaming,” said Galen Clavio, director of the National Sports Journalism Center at the University of Indiana. “Sports really is one of the biggest drivers for advertisers in the media business. All it's going to take is one sports league, one major sports league, to say, 'In addition to our broadcast package, we want a streaming package.'"'