Archives for September 2016

'Sounds familiar, right? Just two games into his second season, most of that good well has evaporated. If something doesn't change, these next 14 games will be the dress rehearsal for his next career before he and Rob ride that tandem bike off into the sunset.'

'He was greeted by a thunderous, sustained ovation, with many fans chanting his first name. Fans on one side of the field spelled out “Bruce 78” with signs as he walked onto a quickly assembled stage at midfield.'

'The Bills had no answers. They’d better start coming up with a few.

'“I think it was big for Fitzpatrick, psychologically,” Jets coach Todd Bowles told USA TODAY Sports. “This was only my third time playing them (since becoming Jets coach last year). But it goes deeper for that for him.”'

'"I think it means a little bit more than a regular game because this was my life for four years being here," Fitzpatrick said about spending 2009-12 with the Bills. "But I'm more excited about our team and the way we responded in the second half."'

'The Bills surrendered 493 yards offense, 28 first downs, allowed New York to convert eight of 13 third-down chances and forced just two punts — the second with 10 seconds left. The only bright side was safety Nickell Robey-Coleman returning Jalin Marshall's fumble 36 yards for a touchdown to briefly put the Bills ahead 24-20.'

'Buffalo linebacker Brandon Spikes is inactive along with starting left tackle Cordy Glenn, who aggravated a left ankle injury against the Ravens.'

'The Bills enter the game lacking offensive line depth, with starting left tackle Cordy Glenn ruled out because of an injury to his left ankle. Buffalo is also minus backup tackle Seantrel Henderson, who is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.'

'"We had a rough day, there's no question about it," Ryan said. "I thought we played well defensively the first game. We played, I mean, horribly today."'

'Buffalo released linebacker Bryson Albright in a corresponding move.'

'"[They said it was] just protocol. They thought I got hit. They said they thought I was a little woozy on the ground," Taylor said after the game. "You never want to come out in the middle of a series. Especially in a close game, a good game. But it's protocol, so you have to deal with it."'

'In a contest between two evenly matched teams, the Jets won because Todd Bowles and his staff roundly outcoached Rex Ryan and his staff. They didn’t even have to try that hard.'

'The mistakes were not limited to the offense and activation decisions. Rex and his brother/defensive coordinator Rob neglected to change their defensive strategy all night, even while their cornerbacks were being brutally exposed by Jets wideouts Brandon Marshall (six catches, 101 yards), Eric Decker (six catches, 126 yards), and Quincy Enunwa (six catches, 92 yards). Stephon Gilmore, Ronald Darby and Nickell Robey-Coleman found themselves over-matched all night long, and the Ryans did nearly nothing to adjust. It was astounding to watch. That the Bills only lost by six was a minor miracle.'

'Anything less than that won’t suffice in Buffalo, where the playoffs-or-bust pressure hangs over Rex Ryan like a military drone flying above its target. A sobering reminder of the club’s 16-year absence appeared on a fan banner hung outside New Era Stadium that read, “Our Teams’ Playoff Drought is Old Enough to Drive.”'

'The Bills would try an onside kick to get the ball back with 1:17 to go in the game, but Carpenter's kick was long and Jets receiver Brandon Marshall recovered the kick. New York would go three-and-out and punt with 10-seconds left to go in the game. The Bills would try for one more play, but the Jets hold off the late rally for the 37-31 win.'