Archives for September 17, 2016

'Well first off, I think, as I've mentioned, I think Greg is an outstanding coach, there's no doubt. To be honest, I'm going to answer questions that are about moving forward. I'm not going to get into the past and all that, I'd rather look at the way Anthony is and understanding that we have a coaching staff that's been together and it'll be an inclusive staff that obviously Anthony is going to be the guy making the call, but we have a terrific coaching staff and we're going to lean on that expertise of the coaching staff as well, and that's why I think it's going to be very successful.'

'Buffalo also was among the league's worst teams in three-and-out drives. The Bills were 31st in the league last year with 50 of 186 offensive drives (26.88%) resulting in three-and-outs. Through two games this season, 19 total drives, the Bills have gone three-and-out seven times according to Sporting Charts.'

'Roman's fire comes at a strange time, however. The Bills lost 37-31 to the New York Jets on Thursday night largely because the Bills couldn't stop Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets' passing offense, which finished with 374 passing yards.'

'"It's really kind of tough to tell right now what the major change will be," Bills guard Richie Incognito said. "We'll have things grouped differently. Our bread and butter will change. As we go through the week, we'll go through the process a little differently. We'll see. I'll be one of the first to see it next Sunday when we play the Cardinals. We have to find our identity now, and obviously our identity is going to change."'

'Being beaten by an opponent is one thing. Being beaten by yourself is another, and it’s inexcusable.'

'To fire Roman two games and six days into the next season looks, feels, and seems exactly like what it is — a classic, panic-coated, scapegoating move by a short-sighted, over-reactionary front office and a head coach who must believe his own neck now rests squarely on the guillotine.'

'Running backs coach Anthony Lynn will take over as coordinator. Lynn also serves as an assistant head coach and has spent the past eight years working under Ryan.'

'"I'm accountable for everything that goes on," said Ryan. "And I'm also accountable for these decisions."'

'"Shocked. You can definitely say that," outside linebacker Jerry Hughes said of a defensive meltdown that saw the Bills allow 28 first downs and 493 yards, including 374 through the air by Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. "We just didn't play good football today. Just bad all the way around. We just didn't show up."'

'"I think we have a lot of weapons, it's just how we disperse it and go about doing that and that's where the focus is going to be," Ryan said, indicating that he believes Lynn can get that done. "With Anthony, I know the kind of coach he is, the kind of person he is, and the direction he can take us.'

'"I think we need a change," Ryan said Friday. "I think we have a lot of talent on offense. I believe that. I believe we're going to do what we can to put the ball in our playmakers' hands. I think Anthony will do that."'

'More worrisome for the Bills, however, is the Rob Ryan-led defense. Buffalo gave up 37 points to the Jets on Thursday night, and New York QB Ryan Fitzpatrick roasted the Buffalo secondary on his way to 371 yards passing. This is the same Fitzpatrick, of course, whom the Jets nearly refused to sign this offseason.'

'But really, it’s not all on Rob. It’s more on Rex. When Rex took over for Doug Marrone last year, he inherited the No. 4 defense in all of football. In just one season, the defense dropped to 19th in yards allowed and 15th in points allowed. This year, though very early, they’re 25th in yards allowed and 19th in points allowed.'

'“I recognize this isn’t an ideal situation to make a change, but we do have an extra couple of days," Ryan said. "I thought it’s better than doing it maybe on a Sunday game. That’s kind of why we went with this decision today."'

'Roman was just starting his second season with the Bills as the offensive coordinator. In the first two games of the season, the Bills combined for just 553 total yards of offense.'