Archives for September 18, 2016

'Since the NFL went to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, only 12 percent of teams that started 0-2 went on to qualify for the postseason.'

'It shouldn’t be long before another word, tank, works its way back into the local vernacular and ignites another tumultuous season. I’m sure there are enough people out there who have identified the next generational football player. Here’s hoping they realize it takes more than a Heisman Trophy winner to build a playoff team.'

'You could argue the Ryans should be spending every waking moment trying to fix the Bills after their 0-2 start, but I'm fine with this. Family moments are important and this is a rare break in the Bills' schedule that Rex had to get down to Clemson.'

'As I’ve stated many times, in every form of media known to mankind, I think it would be stupid to pull the plug on the Ryan Era during this season, or even after the season, because firing coaches every two or three years and hitting the reboot button is a proven GPS setting that will lead to a 16-year playoff drought that, as the joke goes, is now old enough to drive.'

'The Bills have plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and Anthony Lynn's job will be to play to their strengths over the course of the season.'

'Perhaps most discouraging for these Bills was the play Thursday night of starting cornerbacks Stephone Gilmore and Ron Darby. Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and his trio of receivers — Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Quincy Enunwa — embarrassed Gilmore and Darby all game long. For both, career nadirs.'

'Many Bills players felt the offense lacked an identity under Roman – even last season, when the team led the NFL in rushing, people with knowledge of dynamics in the locker room told USA TODAY Sports after Ryan informed players of the decision Friday.'

'It's not difficult at all to envision a 2-6 stretch over the Bills next eight games (best case?) and them sitting at 2-8 and effectively done for the year coming out of the bye.'

'Let the playmakers make plays.'