Archives for December 2016

'When I told Rob Ryan I wanted to talk about the red-zone defense, he matter-of-factly said, "I don't blame you." Here's our conversation from Thursday, which touches on the red-zone defense and a few other topics.'

'"Hearing this news about Joe McKnight is just so heartbreaking. He was such a great guy who meant a lot to a lot of people. When he first came to us at the Jets, he was this raw, talented kid. He had some issues as do a lot of guys. Obviously, we know the background, him going through (Hurricane) Katrina and a lot of different things. But he was always determined to get better — better as a football player and better as a man — and I thought he did that. That was exciting for me to see.'

'Ryan admitted it’s going to be tough sailing without Darby against Derek Carr and the Raiders.'

'“Not necessarily,” Watkins replied in regard to having a broken bone.'

'Alexander stunningly ranks tied for second in the NFL with 10 sacks, trailing only Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller. He has more sacks this season than he had in his previous nine NFL seasons combined.'

'“We did not see that in him, or we wouldn’t have let Rex get him,” Del Rio said. “I’m really happy for a guy like Lorenzo. He’s a consummate professional. This is a guy that busts his butt, does everything he can, every day to be a true professional. … Hats off to him.”'

'"Playing the game, you come out a little bit sore being out for eight weeks," Watkins said. "So we expected that, I expected that myself. I'm fine. I got through the game last week, I felt pretty good, didn't have any hiccups, and really just keep doing the things in the training room."'

'The Bills (6-5) enter December with a winning record for the second time in three years, but just the third time since 1999, their last playoff season. They are currently ninth in the conference standings and one game back of the final wild-card spot.'

'"After the season, if I need to get that done, then I will. And if I don't, then I'll be fine," he said Friday.'

'This is the first year of the #MyCauseMyCleats campaign, but with so many players embracing the opportunity, it wouldn't be a surprise to see it become an annual staple.'

'Also, the entire starting offensive line was working together on the field at practice Friday. Guards Richie Incognito and John Miller and tackle Cordy Glenn had all been limited this week and are officially questionable for the game. All three are expected to play.'

'The Bills will have a weakness for the Raiders to pick on, and that’s at left cornerback. Ronald Darby missed all three days of practice this week due to a concussion, and was officially ruled out against Oakland — which creates a mismatch for their opponents.'

'“I’m fine,” said Watkins. “I got through the game last week and I felt pretty good. I didn’t have any hiccups. Right now I just have to keep doing the things I need to do with the trainers and rehabbing and I’m really just focused on the Raiders.”'

'If the Bills are going to win this game they have to keep their drives alive. If they have three or four, three and outs in this matchup it’s going to be very hard to win. Oakland’s defense is very good at getting off the field on third down ranking fourth in the NFL, but Buffalo has to overcome that and have a better day on third down than the Raiders offense. The key is to limit the number of Raiders possessions to somewhere between eight and 10 for the game.'

'“They’re two different positions,” Thurman said of cornerback and safety. “They may look similar but their mindset has to change because the corner’s one-on-one, playing safety at times it’s you versus the quarterback and the formation they’re trying to do to you.”'