Archives for January 4, 2016

'Even if the box score will never show it. Manuel came into the game in the second quarter for a fourth-down play Sunday against the New York Jets. Before he could take the snap, however, Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson jumped offside, giving the Bills a first down. The play technically goes down as having not happened, so Manuel didn't officially enter the game. But we all know he did.'

'Watkins continually got the best of Revis, gaining 55 yards on three catches, in the process pushing his season total over 1,000 yards and his total for the game over 100. That helped the Bills maintain a two-possession lead, 19-10, after three quarters.'

'With the New York Jets in position for the go-ahead points, Fitzpatrick threw a brutal interception. Just like old times, indeed. Then, he doubled down with another interception, allowing the Bills to put away a 22-17 victory that, coupled with Pittsburgh's win, knocked the Jets out of the playoffs.'

'The Buffalo Bills’ coach continued a promising recent trend in Sunday’s 22-17 victory over the New York Jets in the season finale at Ralph Wilson Stadium, showing some gumption on fourth down that wasn’t there earlier in the season.'

'This game had to bring a smile to the faces of Greg Roman, Doug Whaley, Ryan and everyone else who keeps doubling down on their belief in Tyrod Taylor. He has connected on deep balls all season — it was the intermediate throws the Bills haven’t seen much of, the throws over the middle of the field.'

'Owner Terry Pegula announced last week that General Manager Doug Whaley and head coach Rex Ryan will return to 2016. Left unsaid, so far, is the status of the team’s assistant coaches.'

'The St. Louis Rams lost in overtime Sunday evening to the San Francisco 49ers to fall to 7-9. Had they won and finished 8-8, they would have bumped the Bills up to the 18th pick. Only the Jets, who finished 10-6, will have a lower draft pick among teams that did not qualify for the postseason, at No. 20 overall.'

'The Bills offense controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes, and Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick – who had averaged 305 yards passing during the Jets' five-game winning streak – just didn't have enough time to get anything accomplished against a depleted Buffalo defense.'

'“I wish that team (New York) was going in place of someone else…I wish my team was going,’’ Ryan said. “It feels all right but our goals were set a lot higher than this, to be 8-8. But I like the fact, a lot of teams mail it in, and this team certainly wasn’t one of them despite all the negative criticism.’’'

'"I think the biggest thing is, as far as the scheme goes, across the board, we've all just got to digest it better and be better at it," he said. "I think we all can be happy. Not just myself, but as a defense. Things went backwards as far as, overall, for everybody. You guys look at stats. I mean, you can answer that yourself. I think the biggest thing is us just needing an understanding. I don't know if being a little simpler would make things better. I don't know."'

'This team should have been better than 8-8, and its performance against the Jets was the proof. They were in control almost all day against a team that not only needed to win to get into the playoffs, but had the healthier roster. It just makes you want to scream when you think back to the losses against the Giants, Jaguars, and Eagles, three teams who are certainly not better than the Bills.'

'And when the game boiled down to Fitzpatrick having not one, but three opportunities in the fourth quarter to drive his new team down field against his old team for the lead or the victory, Cinderella’s slipper not only didn’t fit. It couldn’t be shoehorned on by Mr. America.'

'The speculation about the Bills quitting on Rex Ryan certainly proved to be incorrect. This was an injury-depleted team that played hard in the final two games, and earned two victories to salvage an 8-8 record. Yes, it's disappointing and yes, overall this team underachieved, but it didn't quit. Ask the Jets about that.'

'Instead, Fitzpatrick was again confused by Ryan's defense and threw three costly interceptions in the second half. Meanwhile, Tyrod Taylor took care of the football and did just enough to get the Bills a victory.'

'He has 43 sacks in four seasons as a Bills since signing a massive free-agent deal in 2012. Yet criticism has found him at every turn. Williams paused the music and turned to face reporters, and the questions didn't seem befitting of a player with 96 sacks in 10 seasons.'