Archives for December 17, 2017

‘”When there’s bad traction it’s an offensive game,” DeLamielleure said. “Blocking is easy because the defensive guys can’t really come off the ball. You get a good shot at them.”‘

‘Incognito gets what Bills fans have gone through, because it’s been the story of his own career. He has endured dysfunction, embarrassment and chronic defeat. But like a Buffalo fan, having suffered through it has toughened him, made him appreciate the struggle even more.’

‘Bills 20, Dolphins 16.’

‘It’s good that the Bills are getting their slot cornerback back. Johnson missed the Colts game with a sore knee but it didn’t matter due to the winter weather. This week the Bills face one of the top slot receivers in the NFL in Landry. He’s second in the NFL in catches with 88, and 50 of them have come from the slot. Landry is a good route runner and has strong hands. With an average of seven catches a game, Landry is not going to be shut down. Good tackling and tight coverage on third down will be key for Johnson. Only 23 of Landry’s catches have come on third down.’

‘Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase likes to run receiver screens, and he has a dangerous weapon to execute them in Jarvis Landry. It’s an extended handoff, and even if it doesn’t get big yards, Landry has the elusiveness to turn it into a positive gain. It’s often a run-pass option for the quarterback.’

‘On this play against Oakland in Week 9, Suh (93) and Cameron Wake (91) combined on a stunt. Suh sacked quarterback Derek Carr (4) and forced a fumble, even though Oakland kept seven men in to block just four rushers. Note that the Miami defensive ends play in a “wide 9” alignment, which the Bills used under former defensive chief Jim Schwartz. Miami aide Matt Burke worked under Schwartz. Oakland center Rodney Hudson (61) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) are elite. But Suh picked on the the lesser player, Marshall Newhouse (73), and bulled past Marshawn Lynch (24).’

‘Can Tyrod Taylor do it again against Miami? The Bills’ quarterback played the best game of his career last year on Christmas Eve against the Dolphins, going 26 of 39 for 329 yards and three touchdowns in a crushing 34-31 loss. His reward for that performance was a seat on the bench in the season finale. The scenario is different this time. Taylor has come back from being benched earlier in the season, and the Bills need him to play his best football over the final three weeks of the season if the team has any chance of reaching the playoffs. Health doesn’t appear like it will be much of an issue, as Taylor practiced fully all week.’

‘The next three weeks will be the biggest of Taylor’s career. Not only does he have the chance to lead Buffalo to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years, he’s also auditioning for 31 other teams in the event the Bills move on from him in the offseason. With that in mind, this week’s mailbag starts with a question about Taylor. Let’s get to it.’

‘”Work ethic,” Jeff said when asked what he’s learned from his father. “He’s always been a hard worker and family man. My mom was always No. 1.”‘

‘”The main element of the stadium that was not touched during the 2013 renovations was our premium areas,” Bills President Russ Brandon said in an article posted on the team’s official website. “We created a few new premium areas, but in general we did not address any of the premium areas that had been built in the early 90s or the sideline clubs that opened in 1999.’

‘Precipitation: None prior to or during the game.’

‘“I’m a fan of the players, Shady, Eric, all these guys, and being able to talk with them about music and build a relationship with them has been incredible,” Hill said. “But it’s changed the dynamic from being a fan to being a cog in the organization. Once I get into work mode, the starstruck, being a fan stuff drops in the background and I’m totally focused on doing my part to get them ready for the game or practice.”’

‘It has been 17 years since the team last appeared in the playoffs. I was just under 2 months old in their infamously terrible last playoff appearance. (The “Music City Miracle” was much less of a miracle in Buffalo). They have not won a playoff game since before my parents – who celebrated their 20th anniversary in September – were married.’

‘Upon first moving to Fort Myers in 2002, Siwiec met mostly New England Patriots fans in her new locale. “I told them, wait until the Buffalo fans get down here,” she said. “Now, there are so many of us in the community that we have overtaken the Pats.”’