‘Peterman, with the help of a strong running game and inspired defensive effort, might be able to get the Bills past Indianapolis and Miami, two teams with weak defenses – 32nd and 30th in the NFL in points surrendered – but a road start is cringe-worthy, especially if the Patriots need a win.’
Archives for December 6, 2017
Bills place Shaq Lawson, Jordan Matthews on IR
‘Lawson had four sacks in 12 games during a mostly unspectacular second season since joining the Bills as a first-round draft pick from Clemson in 2016. He’s expected to be replaced by Eddie Yarbrough.’
Bills’ Deandre Coleman hasn’t allowed hearing loss to silence dreams
‘”Nobody really cares,” he said of how others react to his wearing hearing aids. “If they do, something’s wrong with them.”‘
NFL denies Rob Gronkowski’s appeal, will miss Patriots-Dolphins game
‘Derrick Brooks, a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker, is reportedly the NFL’s appeal officer. Gronkowski, a Western New York native, was expected to appeal the first suspension of his career by phone.’
Jay Skurski’s quarterly report card: Coaching grade takes a big dip in third quarter
‘McDermott has a mess on his hands at quarterback. Even if there were reasons to bench Taylor, the head coach grossly miscalculated Peterman’s readiness for the job. The move turned the Bills into a laughingstock nationally – just the type of thing the team wanted to get away from after firing Rex Ryan – and potentially cost the Bills a game in a tight AFC playoff race (although there is no way to know that Taylor would’ve beat the Chargers). McDermott’s defense also went through a historically bad three-game stretch of giving up 135 points, while the offense under Rick Dennison has been downright painful to watch for weeks on end. Credit McDermott for not completely losing the team over the botched quarterback call, but make no mistake – this has been a brutal stretch for the first-year coach.’
Bills Fans Near and Far: Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker bleeds Buffalo blue
‘”I don’t think you have any other options when you’re from Western New York. I was born, I became a Bills fan. That’s pretty much it. The cool thing about the Bills is that the majority of their fan base is from that area. Even when they move away. There’s no bandwagon Bills fans out there. You either are or you aren’t. That’s how it goes.”‘
No gimmes for Buffalo Bills, including the 3-9 Colts
‘ Yes, if it’s December, it can only mean one thing: scoreboard watching, because the Bills aren’t in control of their playoff destiny.’
Baldwinsville marching band’s performance at Buffalo Bills game cancelled
‘The NFL, which has jurisdiction over NFL stadiums on game days, told the Bills they are to keep the field completely covered until just before game time, Vanderstouw said.’
Buffalo Bills place Jordan Matthews, Shaq Lawson on IR and promote Brandon Reilly
‘The injuries will provide a significant blow to the Bills, who are 6-6 and still have wild card aspirations. Lawson’s second NFL season ends with four sacks in 12 games. He played well at times against the run but left something to be desired as a pass rusher during his sophomore campaign. He will likely be replaced in the lineup by Eddie Yarbrough.’
7 things we learned about the Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills’ Week 14 opponent
‘The Bills may benefit from having the home field advantage on Sunday. Indianapolis has struggled on the road this season. The team has only won one of six games away from Lucas Oil Stadium.’
Bills: Dennison hoping for more separation from WRs
‘”Certainly, you’d always love to see great separation,” Dennison said. “They do a good job of being on you, so we have to separate. That’s what we spent the week doing, trying to give them some opportunities to shake some of those guys, and we didn’t quite get it done.”‘
5 things to watch for as the Bills host the Colts
‘Indy (3-9) has struggled this season without quarterback Andrew Luck, but the Bills (6-6) are not in any position to overlook any opponent remaining on their schedule.’
Bills place WR Matthews, DE Lawson on injured reserve
‘Both starters had difficult seasons for Buffalo, dealing with injuries and inconsistent play.’
NFL upholds Gronkowski’s 1-game suspension for hit on White
‘The league announced the decision of appeals officer Derrick Brooks on Tuesday.’
Bills place DE Lawson on IR, ending his season
‘”You hate to lose Shaq Lawson,” Frazier told reporters. “He’s done a really good job for us. He’s improving and he needs those snaps. In a lot of ways, this is new territory in some ways in our defense, so you want him to get as many snaps as he can get.”‘
Patriots TE Gronkowski has appeal denied
‘Gronkowski apologized for the hit after the game, which the Patriots won 23-3, and cited his frustration for a lack of penalties called against opponents defending him during the game as a reason for his actions.’
Season over for Jordan Matthews, Shaq Lawson of Bills
‘Matthews, 25, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.’
NFL upholds Gronkowski’s one-game suspension
‘The appeal was heard by Derrick Brooks, the appeals officer assigned to the hearing jointly by the NFL and NFL Players Association.’
Bills place Matthews and Lawson on IR
‘The Buffalo Bills have announced that both defensive end Shaq Lawson and wide receiver Jordan Matthews have been placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Lawson was considered week to week with an ankle sprain, while Matthews has been battling a knee injury for the last few weeks.’
Ledyard: “Mayfield has all the makings of a franchise quarterback”
‘”Not every team, but a lot of teams have a certain prototype in mind. I think it’s a foolish way to do things. Not going to overthink that Baker Mayfield has put up the two most efficient seasons in college football. He’s going to win the Heisman, very indicative of his performance. He’s a quick processor, quick release, but also has the arm to throw off platform. Nothing scares him as a quarterback, can create offense with his legs, not a whole lot he’s missing. Coaches are going to look at this guy and think, this is a guy I can go to war with. All the makings of a franchise quarterback.”‘
NFL upholds Gronkowski’s 1-game suspension
‘White is in the NFL’s concussion protocol as a result of the hit, while Gronkowski will miss the Patriots’ next game, next Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.’
Buffalo Bills send Lawson, Matthews to Injured Reserve
‘Lawson, the team’s first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, appeared in 11 games this season, starting 10 of those games. He suffered an ankle injury in the team’s loss to the New England Patriots and was thought to be “week-to-week” by the Bills as of Monday. His season ends with four total sacks and 33 tackles.’
Joe B: Buffalo Bills All-22 Review vs. New England Patriots (12/5/17)
‘QB Tyrod Taylor – Snaps on the Field: 46/67 – Grade vs. Patriots: D+’
Gronkowski suspension upheld, will sit for one game
‘The hit by Gronkowski was described by many as one of the dirtiest of the year, as it happened well after the whistle following Tre’Davious White’s interception in the fourth quarter. Since then, Gronkowski has apologized and said he lashed out because of a lingering frustration with officials for seven years of no calls on defenders holding him. Meanwhile, White remains in concussion protocol and his outlook for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts could be in doubt.’
New church service offered to Bills fans on game day
‘Church at the Game starts at 9:45 a.m. and should last about an hour. Everyone is invited to attend and several former Bills stars are expected to be at the service, including Jim Kelly.’
Bills place Lawson, Matthews on IR
‘Matthews, dealing with a knee injury for weeks, will end the season with 25 receptions for 282 yards and a touchdown.’
Bills put Matthews, Lawson on IR
‘Reilly was a fan favorite in the preseason. He caught 11 passes for 139 yards and had a touchdown against the Eagles that gave the Bills a late lead.’
Gronkowski appeal denied
‘The NFL and NFLPA jointly appointed appeals officer Derrick Brooks denied Gronkowski’s appeal. He will sit out New England’s game Monday night against the Dolphins.’
Lawson & Matthews to I-R; Bills elevate Capi & Reilly to active roster
‘A day after being called week to week with an ankle injury suffered on Sunday, Shaq Lawson’s season is over. Buffalo placed the pass rusher on injured reserve Tuesday with his ankle injury. Joining him on I-R is WR Jordan Matthews, who has tried to battle through a knee injury the past few games with limited success.’
Bills Today: Brown tallies fourth straight 100-tackle season
‘“That’s one of the things you look for in your middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme,” said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. “A guy who can, when he has a chance, makes tackles directly at him. He can do it, but yet can make plays from tackle-to-tackle as well and sideline-to-sideline. Preston is one of those guys. He can run, and when he gets there knows how to finish plays.”’