Archives for January 7, 2018

‘”We don’t joke with the process,” linebacker Preston Brown said. “That’s something that’s really serious. Sometimes people say, ‘Playoff caliber’ (a slogan McDermott had plastered throughout the facility and on shirts), here and there. When they do a good rep or they do something good, they say, ‘That’s playoff caliber’ with a little bit of a smile. But you can’t mess with the process.”‘

‘The Bills hired Marrone during the period Ralph Wilson was an absentee owner. In charge of the show were Bills President Russ Brandon and General Manager Doug Whaley. They were in over their heads.’

‘Look, I don’t want to diminish the emotional and psychic benefit of what happened last Sunday. But the standard should be higher than sneaking in at 9-7 with a team that, statistically, is one of the worst NFL teams ever to make the playoffs.’

‘”I firmly believe that we as a family were brought here for a reason, not from the perspective of a savior, at all, but more so that this is where we’re supposed to be as a family. I had a good situation in Carolina. We had a good quality of life. Bang, fast-forward six, eight, 10, 12 months now, and here it is.”‘

‘Bills 20, Jaguars 17.’

‘The Bills have had some rough moments against physical running teams like the Saints and Jets this season. True, the Saints gave everyone problems. But Jacksonville has a three-headed running back committee that has the ability to wear down the Bills’ front seven. Will the Jags try to power up?’

‘This was a power run for 29 yards by Fournette against Cleveland. He followed lead blocks by pulling guard Patrick Omameh (70) and fullback Tommy Bohannon (40). The Bills will need to be stout on the edge against the downhill-running Fournette.’

‘Ramsey’s long arms and quick closing speed make him dangerous when he undercuts routes in zone coverage. That’s what he did on this interception of Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger in Week 5, a pickoff few cornerbacks have the athleticism to make. Tyrod Taylor will have to be careful Sunday throwing in Ramsey’s direction.’

‘Can the Bills force Blake Bortles into mistakes? The Jacksonville quarterback has thrown more interceptions than anyone else in the NFL since he entered the league in 2014. Even this season, his 13 interceptions were fifth most in the NFL, and that was an improvement over his previous three seasons. The Jaguars are 2-6 this season when Bortles throws at least one interception and 8-0 in games he doesn’t throw a pick.’

‘If they pull it off, can they go on a run? I wouldn’t predict with a trip to New England looming. As long as Brady and Belichick are there, I’m not picking against them. But, hey, there might even be good news on that front for the Bills after ESPN ran a story that set the Patriots’ empire might be crumbling from within.’

‘”The Bills haven’t been there for so long that it’s fun to be there, but I want them to be able to take the next step and not say we’re just happy to be in the playoffs” Hansen said. “I want them to go win the Super Bowl. This is just the first step because Sean is the right guy in place and they have some great players.’

‘“I remember Joe Panos, a guard on the team, he grabbed me. … He’s going ‘We’re moving on, we’re moving on.’ Typical coach, I’m like ‘The clock hasn’t hit zero.’ I was feeling the euphoria of the kick – this is happening – but knew it wasn’t over.”‘

‘They’re coaches, business owners and financial advisors; educators, trainers and media members.’