‘“I’m definitely happy I get to play many different spots,” Diggs said Wednesday as the Bills prepared to face the Las Vegas Raiders. “I think it also helps other guys as far as other receivers being in different spots, because we got some guys who can play some exceptional football. And we’ve got some young guys stepping up as well.”’
Archives for October 1, 2020
Column: Bills’ run D will have tough time rebounding against Raiders
‘”This is one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL and they do a great job running the ball,” tackle Harrison Phillips said Wednesday in a phone call with The Buffalo News. “I’ve been very impressed with the way that their running back is able to find holes and get upfield and how, even with these (linemen), they’re very big, you might think that they can’t move very well in space. But the way that they get up to the next level and continue blocking down the field, it’s going to be so fun to go against and compete against guys who are at the top of their game right now.”‘
Jon Gruden lauds Raiders’ Covid-19 effort but admits mistake on masks
‘“We’ve done a good job,” Gruden said. “We’ve done an excellent job. Last night, it was addressed with our players. They walked in with their masks on. There was an event. Sometimes you go to a restaurant, you take your mask off. They’re aware of their mistake. But we’ve done an excellent job of using our masks and taking proper care of each other and everybody.”
Cuomo ‘100% eager’ to get fans into Bills Stadium
‘The governor said he will be meeting with the team but did not specifically say when.’
Voice of the Fan: It might feel abnormal, but embrace the ‘New Bills Normal’
‘It was a morality tale of two halves. The Bills dominated the first, and were decimated by the Rams in the second. It looked like perhaps the biggest collapse in franchise history, known for its giving way and away. In the second half, the Bills were thoroughly ramshackled and in severe disrepair.’
Not much to complain about in 3-0 start, but Bills know they need to shore up run defense
‘It’s too early to call what happened last Sunday afternoon the start of a trend, but given the running backs the Bills will be facing the next two weeks, it could become one and the Bills know they need to nip in the bud the problems that cropped up against the Rams when they yielded 167 yards.’
Buffalo Bills react to video of maskless Las Vegas Raiders at charity event
‘“We’re not really paying attention to it at all. We’re focusing on what we got over here in Buffalo and what we got on Sunday against a really good Raiders team,” Allen said. “I honestly don’t know what’s new with that situation.”’
Fans at Buffalo Bills games still on hold; But Cuomo offers hope
‘”It’s something we’re looking at. I spoke with the commissioner. I understand the plans they are working on,” Cuomo told reporters on a conference call to discuss the latest COVID-19 data.’
Bills OC Brian Daboll’s willingness to adapt to players key to offensive success through 3 games
‘The Bills have trotted out four wide receivers 42 times through three games, according to SharpFootballStats.com. That’s the most in the NFL by a wide margin. The Arizona Cardinals rank no. 2 with 27 instances of 1-0 personnel, the Carolina Panthers have done it 15 times, and the Dallas Cowboys have done it 12 times. No other team in the league has done it more than six times this season.’
Bills’ Josh Norman, Dawson Knox, Zack Moss return to practice Wednesday; John Brown, Micah Hyde don’t participate
‘Not out at practice today was receiver John Brown, who suffered a calf injury against the Los Angeles Rams. He missed a practice last week with a foot injury. Safety Micah Hyde was out at practice but he was working on the stationary bike at the start and then just standing with his position group when the team started individual work.’
Bills’ Tre’Davious White on Titans’ positive Covid tests, what Raiders are doing: ’It raised a lot of antennas’
‘“It was definitely something that guys were mentioning in the locker room, too. It raised a lot of antennas,” he said. “But I feel like if we continue to take the precautions and do all the things that we’re supposed to do and go in the places we’re supposed to go, and not being selfish with it, I think we’ll be fine.”’
Cuomo ‘eager’ to get Buffalo Bills fans back at games: ‘We’re working on it’
‘Cuomo said he spoke recently with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the issue. He didn’t say when he would travel to Buffalo to meet with the team.’
Thursday’s Las Vegas Coverage
Derek Carr says players tried to meet COVID-19 protocols (Las Vegas Review Journal)
Bryan Edwards expected to be sidelined for Raiders on Sunday (Las Vegas Review Journal)
After latest COVID misstep, Raiders insist team is doing ‘excellent job’ (Las Vegas Sun)
Raiders Rebound: Five reasons for optimism despite first loss of the year (Las Vegas Sun)
Inside the Raiders: Good cause, bad judgment as players eschew masks at Darren Waller fundraiser (San Jose Mercury News)
Raiders injuries: Kwiatkoski back to practice, but key players likely out vs. Bills (San Jose Mercury News)
Gruden: Raiders Players Made ‘Mistake’ Not Wearing Masks (AP)
Las Vegas Raiders’ Derek Carr says players ‘felt terrible’ about mask issue (ESPN)
Raiders could be in hot water after players appear to break NFL rules at public event near Las Vegas (CBS Sports)
Las Vegas Raiders in hot seat again after several players attend indoor charity event without masks: report (Fox News)
Carr, Raiders’ apology for maskless incident not good enough (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Report: Edwards out, Ruggs a ‘long shot’ for Raiders-Bills (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Nike releasing limited-edition Las Vegas Raiders sneakers (KTNV-TV)
Gruden addresses players seen without masks at public event, Raiders riddled with injuries (KSNV-TV)
Las Vegas Raiders shoes coming soon from Nike (KSNV-TV)
Raiders QB Marcus Mariota returns to practice after spending first three weeks of season on injured reserve (KHON-TV)
Las Vegas Raiders Week 4 Injury Report: Full practice for Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs Wednesday (Raiders.com)
Key Matchups: Littleton, Raiders defense need to keep Josh Allen in check (Raiders.com)
Raiders Mailbag: Can the Raiders stop the Bills run attack? (Raiders.com)
Game Preview: Raiders prepare to host the undefeated Buffalo Bills at Allegiant Stadium (Raiders.com)
Allen and Daboll overseeing Buffalo Bills’ pass-happy attack
‘“That’s just the type of person he is. If you dare him to do something, you bet him to do something, he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure he comes through,” Allen said Wednesday. “He bets on himself.”’
Bills’ Josh Norman Returns To Practice, But Remains On IR
‘The ninth-year player has been out since hurting his left hamstring during training camp. He opened the season on IR, making him eligible to return after missing three weeks.’
Bills begin practice week without several key players
‘Left tackle Dion Dawkins did not participate in the portion of practice open to the media. He was present, but wore a red jersey and worked off to the side.’
Why Josh Allen believes he will face a fine from NFL
‘Allen was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty after complaining to an official that he believed he was brought down by a horsecollar tackle. (He was, but because he was inside the pocket it was not illegal.) He was also penalized for a facemask trying to fend off a tackler.’
Jon Gruden can understand how Josh Allen got so good so fast
‘“The speed of the NFL game is so much different than college. I don’t care if you come from the SEC, the ACC, the Big 12, or if you come from Wyoming,” Gruden told reporters Wednesday. “And I think he’s experienced now and he’s caught up with it.”‘
Josh Allen is first Bills quarterback that Jim Kelly has ‘really, really been excited’ about
‘The Bills drafted Todd Collins, J.P. Losman and E.J. Manuel with early draft picks, and none of them started more than 35 games in their NFL careers. Trent Edwards, Cardale Jones and Nathan Peterman were later fliers who didn’t do too much — Peterman was actually historically bad. And there were veterans who came to town, as well, including Bledsoe, Doug Flutie and Ryan Fitzpatrick.’
Opinion: The 3-2-1: No apology necessary
‘Allen, Diggs, Brown, and Beasley with help from Gabriel Davis, Tyler Kroft, and (just like we drew it up) Reggie Gilliam, are finding the end zone routinely. This isn’t just something that means wins now, it creates a feeling that no game is over. It gives birth to a belief that the team can hang with, maybe, any opponent.’
Cuomo: I am ‘100% eager’ to get fans back at Bills Stadium
‘”I understand the plans they’re working on,” Cuomo said. “We have a complicated factor in Western New York because we have a higher infection rate than other parts of the state and we’ve had a caution flag up… I think it was 1.3 percent today. We’re trying to get the infection rate down. It’s something we’re looking at seriously.”‘
Raiders HC Jon Gruden: “The entire [Bills] organization is on its way”
‘”He’s in a rhythm right now. He’s in a zone,” Gruden said. “Unfortunately we’re on their schedule, and we have to do everything we can to disrupt that rhythm.”‘
Fans in the Stands? Gov. Cuomo to tour Bills stadium amidst talks to allow fan attendance
‘During Wednesday’s call the Governor also pointed to Western New York’s current COVID-19 infection rate as a potential hurdle for allowing fans to return for home games. According to the Governor, the current infection rate for the region is 1.1%’
Here is how you can get your hands on a pair of Bills Nike sneakers
‘For fans looking for some gear to celebrate and represent the team, Nike is releasing the limited edition Buffalo Bills Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 37 sneaker Thursday October 1 online and in-store at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The sneakers will be complete with a team logo and team colors.’
Buffalo’s high-powered offense adds pressure to Bills defense
‘“With the playmakers we have on our team, it’s definitely tough to stop. I can see why they’re putting up a lot of points, it’s part of the match up,” Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White said on Zoom on Wednesday. “They find a match up they like and they go with it. It’s tough to go with those guys one on one, Josh does a great job reading the match up and getting the ball where it needs to be.”’
Stopping the run is key for Bills vs. Raiders
‘The Bills allowed 167 against LA led by Darrell Henderson who ran for 114 yards and a touchdown. Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier attributed that second half slump to two things. “This game, just the missed tackles and not being in our gaps that’s something you gotta get fixed in a hurry,” Frazier said on Monday.’
Bills react to Titans positive COVID-19 cases and Raiders players not wearing masks at an event
‘“I think awareness is the big key there with staying disciplined, staying diligent in what we’re doing, our habits that we undertake inside the building and outside the building. We try and focus on the opponent this week which is the Raiders obviously but also being aware of what’s going on around us in our world, not just the NFL but in our world,” McDermott explained.’
Bills Injury Report: September 30th
‘After missing Week 3 due to injuries, running back Zack Moss (toe) and tight end Dawson Knox (concussion) returned to practice. Cornerback Josh Norman (hamstring) also returned to practice in full uniform after missing the first three games of the season. Norman is eligible to return off the IR. Matt Milano practiced in full pads.’
Gov. Cuomo says he will tour Bills stadium this week to decide if fans should be allowed in
‘”I am 100% eager about the games but I’m gonna go out, meet with the team leadership, tour the stadium,” Gov. Cuomo said on a phone call Wednesday. “We have engineers looking at the situation now to see if there’s a way we can work it out- but again with safety, the complicating factor, the overall infection rate in WNY, but we’re working on it and we’re working on it actively.”’
Presidential candidate parody signs for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs gain popularity
‘“We’re sending them to people all over the country. Bills fans travel well, they’re still Bills fans even when they travel to places like Phoenix and California,” said Allen. “I think it must confuse a lot of their neighbors when they see two candidates they’ve never heard of.”’
Bills not surprised by COVID-19 outbreak with Tennessee Titans
‘”It’s going to be tough,” Bills receiver Stefon Diggs said. “We knew we (NFL) would hit this road block. Somebody in the league was going to have to go through it, and hopefully it goes smooth sailing, and they can be an example for the next guy in case something.”‘
Gov. Cuomo: I’m 100% eager to get fans back into games
‘”I’m going to go out and take a tour of the stadium, and meet with the team leadership, and talk it through to see if there is a way with the design of the stadium to get people in and out without causing a gathering,” he said.’
Bills have ‘antennas raised’ after COVID issues impact next two opponents
‘“I think the NFL did a good job of taking the precautions based off of what happened with the Vikings and the Titans,” said safety Jordan Poyer. “But you never know. One day you come in here and there could five or six guys [testing positive], the same way things happened with the Titans. We come in here every day doing the precautions that we’re supposed to be doing.”’
Daboll has ‘love’ of Bills players
‘New Bills wideout Stefon Diggs puts Daboll at the top of the list when it comes to creativity. Diggs does not describe Daboll as a guy who is reinventing the wheel. The better analogy for Daboll is a guy who helps keep the wheel rolling in whatever direction it wants to go.’
New week, same motto for McDermott and the Bills
‘On Wednesday, McDermott was asked about Raiders players attending an event in apparent violation of the agreed NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols. “It’s unfortunate,” said McDermott. “What we’re trying to do is control what we can control.”‘
McDermott’s respect for Gruden is “off the charts”
‘The two of them worked on the same staff in Philadelphia where McDermott cut his teeth in the NFL. Gruden was the offensive coordinator and said even at that time, “he was ahead of the curve.”
Allen on the Bills red-hot offense: “It’s fun to be out there”
‘”We were always very hopeful and optimistic about the guys we brought in,” said Josh Allen, who is second in the league in passing yards.’
Allen admits he’s aware of the ‘Josh Allen Apology’ forms
‘On Wednesday, Allen admitted that he has seen the form but once again took the high road with critics.’
Stefon all smiles with his new Diggs in Buffalo
‘”I think it’s more so a test to the people around me. They make football fun and coach Daboll makes it a lot of fun as well,” smiled Diggs. “It’s something I’m happy to be a part of.”‘
Bills’ Sunday road game in question after Raiders fined for COVID-19 violations
‘”Guys have mentioned it in the locker room too so, it raises a lot of antennas but I think that as long as you take the proper precautions and do everything we’re supposed to do and not be selfish with it we’ll be fine,” White said. “If you think about other people, which our teammates have been doing, I feel like we’ll be ok.”‘