‘Only seven Bills on the active roster or injured reserve (60 players total) were coached by Marrone but you can bet the front-office survivors would like nothing better than to see the franchise’s current edition beat him in the playoffs … on his homefield.’
Archives for January 2, 2018
Bills remain toast of the town after ending playoff drought on New Year’s Eve
‘The buzz from New Year’s Eve hasn’t worn off for the Bills, or their fans. The organic nature of the celebrations – both in the locker room and among fans spread throughout the country – were captured on video and widely shared on social media.’
Stats belie bend-but-don’t-break success of Bills defense
‘The Bills’ defense closed the regular season ranked 26th in yards allowed and 18th in points allowed. It was 29th against the run and 20th against the pass.’
McDermott: Bills RB LeSean McCoy ‘has a chance’ to play in the playoffs
‘McDermott said he has discussed adding a running back to the active roster with General Manager Brandon Beane, but no decision on that has been made yet.’
Kyle Williams’ high school coach not surprised by his touchdown carry
‘“I know what it means to him,” Reeder said of Williams making the postseason for the first time in his 12-year career. “It couldn’t happen to a better guy. He’s a quality guy, a quality football player and a quality individual. He’s a guy I loved coaching, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to be around him and coach him.”‘
Mary Wilson says Ralph would be ‘over the moon’ about team’s playoff path
‘”Ralph would be over the moon,” Mary Wilson said Monday from her Florida home. “He’d be so happy for the fans and for Buffalo. And with all the good things that are happening in Buffalo right now in the community, this puts an exclamation mark on it. I think this is a picture of the future for the organization.”‘
Bucky Gleason: ‘You would think I played for the Bills,’ says Andy Dalton
‘No matter how hard he tried Monday, no matter how many ways it was explained, Dalton couldn’t fully grasp why Bills fans went bonkers after his touchdown toss. He didn’t just help the Bills into the playoffs. He lifted an entire community. He did something no Buffalo player had done in 18 years: He restored hope in a long-suffering fan base.’
Andy Dalton gets Bills into the playoffs, and #BillsMafia pays it forward
‘In the 24 hours since the 1st donation came in, over 2500 donors and just over $57,000 and counting! Last update for the night! I will update tomorrow. We can’t thank y’all enough!’
What He Said: Sean McDermott on the day after Bills reach playoffs
‘When we landed, they said that, the pilot I think came on the intercom and said that the tower said congratulations to the flight control so that was pretty cool, and then to see the fans – incredible experience. I’ve been around a little bit before but nothing like that, nothing like the first half hour after the game in the locker room [with] that type of environment, that type of situation, and then also when we got back – let’s not forget it was minus-six degrees on my dashboard and it wasn’t 8:00 PM. It was 2:00 AM and there’s little kids out there. It was pretty neat.’
What They Said: Bills coordinators on playoffs, facing Jaguars, changing culture
‘Well, we have some guys on the staff that have been to the playoffs too. I think, generally, you’ve been successful so you need to prepare like you do. Have the excitement of playoffs, have the excitement of getting the chance to extend your season, but still understand you prepare the same way you have all year. You try to keep a level head about that. I think our guys are mature enough in that regard. They’ll prepare and they’ll get ready, but know it’s a thrill and it’s an honor for us to have an extra game.’
Three up, three down following Bills’ Week 17 win over Miami
‘FB Patrick DiMarco: Catch. The. Ball. The Bills have failed twice in the last three weeks of the season to secure an onside kick that would wrap up a victory. DiMarco had that chance Sunday, but the ball bounced off him and led to a Miami recovery, giving the Dolphins a chance at a victory that would have redefined painful.’
CBS’ Catalon provides a Bills memory with classic Williams’ call
‘Catalon, who worked Bills preseason games with former Steve Tasker, had a very strong game.’
Voice of the Bengals calls touchdown that sends hometown Bills to playoffs
‘”Having grown up in Western New York, I was acutely aware that people back home were on pins and needles scoreboard watching throughout the game,” said Hoard, who has been with the Bengals since 2011. “We were frequently watching not only knowing the Bengals could knock the Ravens out but propel Buffalo in. That was a major part of the broadcast.”‘
Bills fans: What you need to know about going to Jacksonville
‘The most expensive was $14,807 to sit in EverBank Stadium’s East Suite. The proletariat prices ranged considerably less, though still not necessarily for the weak of heart. They start at $214 for standing room and quickly escalate to $326 and up to sit in lower and upper seats. The cost of a ticket to sit closer to the field ranged from $559 to $2,992.’
Sean Kirst: What does end of Bills’ playoff drought mean to you?
‘I’d like to hear your stories.’
Sean McDermott: News on LeSean McCoy’s ankle injury encouraging
‘McDermott would not go into further detail on how severe the injury is, and then joked, “I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on television.”’
Maiorana: Russ Brandon’s tears were one of the things I liked about the Bills win
‘Pegula said. “We were in the coach’s office after the game and Russ lost it. I felt so good for him, because he had been through the whole drought. I wanted to make sure that Russ was where myself, Brandon, Brian Gaine and Joe Schoen were so he could finally just let go.”‘
Bud? Edible Arrangements? Whatever he wants. Bills’ Hughes will be Dalton’s Secret Santa
‘“Oh, he’s getting Edible Arrangements,” Hughes said with a laugh. “If he wants some Budweiser, he’s getting that. Whatever he wants, I’m going to be his Secret Santa for the rest of this week.”’
Many former players, coaches will join Buffalo Bills in playoffs
‘The Buffalo Bills made multiple trades during the 2017 season on their way to their first playoff berth since 1999. Looking back, most of these trades were win-win as the majority of the players traded will also be appearing in the playoffs (Sorry Cardale Jones). Players who left in free agency and former coaches will also be appearing in the playoffs. Here’s a look at some former Bills that will be appearing in the playoffs.’
LeSean McCoy injury: Sean McDermott provides update on Buffalo Bills RB
‘”He’s going to have a chance,” McDermott said. “We’ll see. We’re continuing to go through the evaluation, the medical evaluation on that. We got some good news this morning, so we’ll just continue to monitor it.”‘
Buffalo Bills fans show gratitude to Bengals’ Andy Dalton with donations, jerseys, more
‘Andy Dalton may be the most popular person in Buffalo on New Year’s Day. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback helped end the Buffalo Bills’ playoff drought on Sunday by leading a late game-winning drive against the Ravens. To show their gratitude, Bills fans are going out of their way to support Dalton. Here are a few ways that Bills fans are saying thanks to Dalton.’
Buffalo Bills players became huge Andy Dalton fans after Bengals beat Ravens
‘”Andy Dalton’s my favorite quarterback,” Hyde said afterward. “No offense to Tyrod man, but Andy Dalton’s my favorite quarterback. He’s a beast. He could have thrown 5 interceptions that game, but he threw a touchdown at the end of the game. He’s my favorite quarterback.”‘
Last time Buffalo Bills made the playoffs … No. 1 movie, song, more in 1999
‘Can you Bill-lieve it? Cher’s ‘Believe’ was the top-grossing song of 1999, according to Billboard.’
Tyrod Taylor went from benched to helping end Buffalo Bills playoff drought
‘How do you describe a team ending a 17-year playoff drought in a season many expected to end with four or five wins? What about a quarterback who was written off by this team a year ago, brought back by a new coach and then benched mid-season only to regain his starting job? In a sense, Taylor is the perfect quarterback for this team of misfits and afterthoughts. He was drafted in the sixth round, stuck as a backup for four years in Baltimore and handed a pile of adverse situations in Buffalo.’
Kyle Williams, other Buffalo Bills pour their hearts out after ending drought
‘”I’m not leaving until this gets done!” Williams screamed.’
McDermott: Fan reactions brought a tear to my eye
‘“I had a chance to see some of it, the different things people shared with me,” McDermott siad. “It was really a neat thing to be a part of. Whether you’re a head coach or Joe Smith in the community, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a neat thing to be a part of and say you were there when it happened. One of the things that stand out, that brought a tear to my eye, was when they showed me the reaction of fans at different restaurants and different get together places that were going on out there. The reactions when we got in (the playoffs).”‘
Lakewood Native Made Radio Call On Bengals’ TD That Ended Buffalo Drought
‘“Immediately after the touchdown, I said, ‘It’s silent in Baltimore and it’s pandemonium in Buffalo.”’
After 17 years, the emotions are real
‘The fact that the Bills are crashing the party is enough reason to celebrate.’
McCoy’s ankle not seriously injured, ‘chance’ to play at Jaguars
‘Bills head coach Sean McDermott on Monday confirmed a report the night before that tests on McCoy’s ankle proved negative, and that “he’s going to have a chance” to play this Sunday in Buffalo’s first playoff game in 18 years, at Jacksonville.’
Jaguars nose tackle Marcell Dareus: ‘Ironic as hell’ to be facing Buffalo in AFC playoffs
‘Said Dareus: “It’s hard to say [facing Buffalo] isn’t [personal]. I’m just happy for the opportunity. It’s crazy. God is funny. Don’t question his work. Just do your job.”’
Jaguars Notebook: Doug Marrone on Buffalo: ‘What’s past is past’
‘The vitriol directed toward Marrone after he left the Bills was intense because Buffalo appeared to be on the upswing (9-7 in Marrone’s second and final year) and his decision was so rare.’
Marrone: “The past is past”
‘“They (the Bills) have earned it as well as we (the Jaguars) have earned it. My focus obviously is going to be on our football team. It’s as easy as that for me.”’
Tuesday’s Jacksonville Coverage
Jaguars nose tackle Marcell Dareus: ‘Ironic as hell’ to be facing Buffalo in AFC playoffs (Florida Times Union)
Jaguars Notebook: Doug Marrone on Buffalo: ‘What’s past is past’ (Florida Times Union)
10 key Jaguars-Bills’ numbers before this Sunday’s wild-card game (Florida Times Union)
Bills-Jaguars Key Match-up: Charles Clay vs. Tashaun Gipson (Florida Times Union)
Jaguars Review: Ten takeaways from loss at Tennessee (Florida Times Union)
Sam Kouvaris: Jaguars home, have already moved on (WJXT-TV)
Sam: Marrone’s routine stays the same (WJXT-TV)
10 facts about the Jaguars’ return to the playoffs (WJXT-TV)
Mark Brunell: For Jaguars, it’s a new season: Playoff season (WJXT-TV)
Jaguars HC Marrone on facing adversity heading into playoffs: ‘We’re going home’ (WTLV-TV)
Jaguars DT Marcell Dareus on playing the Bills in the playoffs: ‘You can’t make this [stuff] up’ (WTLV-TV)
Marrone: “The past is past” (Jaguars.com)
Wild Card Week begins: “It’s a clean slate” (Jaguars.com)
What we learned: Titans 15, Jaguars 10 (Jaguars.com)
Tuesday’s Cincinnati Coverage
Bills fans donate to Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation after Bengals win (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Buffalo Bills fans continue to donate to Andy Dalton’s charity (Dayton Daily News)
Bengals QB Dalton thanks Bill fans who thanked him with donation to foundation (WKRC-TV)
Buffalo Bills fans thank Andy Dalton for TD pass by donating to his charitable foundation (WCPO-TV)
Wings for everybody! The Bills are back in the playoff for the first time since 1999.
‘Andy Dalton, the oft-maligned Andy Dalton, fired a pass to Tyler Boyd and the locker room erupted as Boyd broke free for the touchdown that lifted Buffalo to its first playoff berth since 1999 even as it crushed the Ravens.’
Bills reverse tank talk by ending 17-year playoff drought
‘”If you’re going to put a landmark moment for this first year, that was probably one of them,” he said of a win that improved Buffalo’s record to 6-5.’
Bills coach: Tests negative on LeSean McCoy’s ankle injury
‘That leaves Mike Tolbert and newly signed Marcus Murphy as the Bills’ only running backs on the roster, along with fullback Patrick DiMarco. Murphy had one career carry for no yards in his previous two seasons with New Orleans, before leading Buffalo with 41 yards rushing against Miami.’
Jags’ Marrone happy for Bills, but won’t delve into odd exit
‘At the NFL Combine last year, Marrone acknowledged he made a mistake by leaving Buffalo and said he had relayed that to Bills co-owner Terry Pegula.’
Bills in playoffs thanks to Bengals
‘”It was electric,” said defensive end Jerry Hughes. “A lot of heads were down, I’m not going to lie. We didn’t think Cincinnati was going to convert it. Then to see them not only convert it and score, that was huge. We went crazy. I’m pretty sure they heard us from inside of the stadium, how loud we were.”‘
McDermott says Bills RB McCoy may play in wild-card game
‘”He’s gonna have a chance, we’ll see,” McDermott said Monday. “We’re continuing to go through the medical evaluation on that. We got some good news this morning, so we’ll just continue to monitor that.”‘