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.’

‘So when we had the VHS tapes and all that stuff? I was born in ’95, so, I mean, I was very young. I would’ve been in Miami and Orlando at the time because my dad played for the Dolphins. So running around the Dolphins’ facility probably, being a rug rat, or at Disney World or something like that.’

‘“The foundation of what Brandon Beane is doing here, coach Sean McDermott is doing here … seeing this team really formulating for the future, and seeing these future leaders, it’s just really awesome,” Jones said. “I’m so grateful to be a part of it, because there’s something special here. … It’s a new team, a new vibe, it’s a new energy, and I’m absolutely in love with it.”’

‘”We feel like we’re kind of one big team because of Terry and Kim. We root for each other,” Girgensons said. “It’s nice to see the Bills accomplish something like that. All the best to them. I really think if they can stop the run, they’ll be good.”‘

‘The pleas that came in ranged from adorable to desperate, but all showed the passion of Bills fans — and strong GIF game by the Bills Mafia. She had given away the tickets within two hours but then moved on to field passes. Here are some of the tweets looking to be the lucky ones to get the tickets.’

‘“Dad, why do you keep watching their games when they lose all the time?” This was something my then 7-year-old daughter asked me in the midst of a 4-12 season back in 2010. I often joke that my display of fandom for the Bills to my children week in and week out, teaching them to cheer the team on with me no matter the result, is in part a character-building exercise. To teach them to never give up, to always keep the faith and believe there’s a better day coming.’

‘The group has organized the pregame tailgate party in Lot X at EverBank Field and a Saturday night gathering at Wing-It on Old St. Augustine Road, the Bills Backers of Jacksonville’s regular meeting place.’

‘But if the opportunity presented itself and I had the right company, that unicorn-rare combination of designated driver and trauma counselor, here’s where I’d go, and what comfort food I’d soothe my nerves with as history unfolds.’