Archives for December 2015

'"I think everybody would say they’re disappointed at this point," Felton said. "The good thing is we still have a lot in front of us. It’s a tough road from here on out and we know what we have to get done. But, I mean, I think that’s every season. You have a certain level of expectations and then you have to go through some rough spots so I think that’s what we’re all doing individually and as a team.”'

'Then, he proceeds. Each death more painful than the last. His instant reflex, his coping mechanism to break into a childish laugh each time.'

'Who’s one person you’d want to meet dead or alive? Jim Brown. He’s the best football player ever. I’d definitely love to sit down and talk to him.'

'Bills 20, Texans 16.'

'There is no way that firing Ryan and his staff — which I and most NFL observers agree is a pretty solid compilation of coaches — helps the Bills in any way. In fact, if Terry and Kim Pegula were to lose their minds and listen to the lunatic fringe, they would set the franchise back another year or two or three and we all know, this is a franchise that already has its back against the proverbial wall of NFL irrelevancy.'

'"He's after the whistle, I mean he plays through the whistle each and every play for 60 minutes and that's something that you respect from that guy," Taylor added of Watt. "He does a great job. He's been playing like that since he's been in the league."'

'“In Buffalo, it was an everyday thing,” Watkins said. “Every practice, I was in front of [Sammy Watkins" target="_blank">, working him. It was very good for both of us. I don’t think there are too many guys in the league who are faster than him, so he definitely challenged me down the field, strength and all that. It definitely builds your confidence. He was getting targeted like 15 times in practice, so I’m getting worked like 15-20 times a day.'

'The Bills (5-6) will be without rookie running back Karlos Williams (shoulder) when they host the Houston Texans (6-5) on Sunday. That left the team with just two healthy running backs – starter LeSean McCoy and Boobie Dixon – before Gillislee was promoted from the practice squad.'

'The Bills also released center Gabe Ikard. He played in three games this season. Ikard entered the NFL in 2014 as an undrafted free agent of the Tennessee Titans. The Bills claimed him off waivers in September.'

'So how good is the Bills' defense really? Is the sack stat overblown? Here's what the more telling numbers indicate about Buffalo's defense…'.

'QB TYROD TAYLOR (101.8) is on pace to join HOFer JIM KELLY (101.2 in 1990) as only Bills with 100+ rating in single season. In past 7, has completed 128 of 201 (63.7 pct.) for 1,523 yards with 10 TDs vs. 1 INT for 101.2 rating.'

'This is an absolutely critical contest for both teams, but the defensive front for the Houston Texans is too hard to ignore against a banged up offensive line and a limited quarterback.'

'Gillislee originally entered the NFL in 2013 as a fifth round pick (164th overall) of the Miami Dolphins. The 5-11, 219-pound Florida product has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals in addition to the Dolphins. Gillislee was a four-year letterman (2009-12) and one-year starter at Florida, where he rushed for 1,149 yards on 227 carries as a senior.'

'Sammy Watkins and Houston's DeAndre Hopkins, two standout young wide outs, were college teammates at Clemson. The two are still tight. Hopkins even calls Watkins his 'little bro.''

'Twice, he’s had 20½ in a season and through 11 games this year, the three-time Pro Bowler has 13½. By comparison, the Bills have 16 TOTAL … 10 of them by their quarter-billion-dollar defensive line.'