‘”I’m not going to get into that,” McDermott said. “I’m focused on the Patriots, and the guys in the building. And certainly with all the guys we have out on Covid – I think seven, Cole being one of those – we want them back as healthy as possible and as quickly as possible. That’s where we’re at.”‘
Archives for December 23, 2021
Mark Gaughan: Showdown with Pats is a judgment day for Sean McDermott, Bills
‘It’s also on McDermott to manage the game flawlessly, because Belichick is brilliant at game management. McDermott has done well in five years at managing games, better than any other Bills coach the past two decades. But in the loss to the Pats three weeks ago, McDermott wasted a time out when he challenged a fourth-down QB sneak by Jones. McDermott burned a second time out before a second-and-goal play from the 6 midway through the fourth quarter. Then Josh Allen was sacked. The Bills needed those timeouts later in the game.’
WR Stefon Diggs, LT Dion Dawkins named to Pro Bowl; Nine Bills named alternates
‘It’s the second nod for Diggs – both coming during his time in Buffalo – and the first for Dawkins. The 2022 Pro Bowl will take place in Las Vegas on Feb. 6 at Allegiant Stadium.’
Rod Watson: Downtown site would give taxpayers more than just a stadium
‘“I would not support a city location unless we had a legally binding social benefits agreement” outlining how any revenues would be used to support the African American community and transparency in who gets the construction dollars, Taylor said, noting how Blacks and other people of color typically get the short end of such deals despite politicians’ promises. “You need strong social benefits agreements that are legally binding.”’
Erik Brady: ‘Twas the day after Christmas when the Bills head to New England …
‘Da Bills can still win…The ol’ AFC East…But first they must slay…The reviled Foxborough beast…That’s the one gift we want.’
Erik Brady: Fox sideline reporter Lindsay Czarniak embraces the ‘mom jokes’
‘“I think Buffalo is such a tremendous city,” she says. “It’s feels like a friendly, familiar place, even if you’re not from there. It reminds me, in a way, of Pittsburgh, where I spent so much time growing up. That’s where our extended relatives live.”’
Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots: Here’s what McDermott, players are saying
‘“Yeah our last game with them, we were talking about it earlier today, was our worst tackling performance,” Poyer said Wednesday. “And it’s just something that, there’s so much you can do throughout a week but really getting that live situation that, those are the situations you got to bring the guy down. It’s not easy to tackle, but at the same time, definitely something that we’ve been working on since the offseason really, we’ve always worked on tackling. At the end of the day you’ve got to want to bring somebody down if you’re tackling somebody so it’s also a mindset.”’
Josh Allen: ‘Vaccinated or not,’ Bills WR Cole Beasley, who has Covid, would be out vs. Patriots
‘Allen’s point is fair, though. Even if Beasley was vaccinated, there would be a chance that he’d be out just as long. But if he was vaccinated the argument is that he’d at least have a chance to clear protocols and return before the game.’
Bills ‘might be better off getting out of the elements’ come playoff time (Post-Week 15 power rankings)
‘I’m not sure they can go into Foxboro and win with a defense that isn’t great against the run and—with the forward pass presumably an option for the Patriots this time around—a secondary missing Tre’Davious White. However, I also don’t think an AFC East title is a prerequisite for this team making a deep playoff run. Their strength is the quarterback, their weaknesses are rush offense and rush defense. They might be better off getting out of the elements of The Ralph and doing their thing on the road.’
Former Batavia High standout athlete involved in viral Bills Mafia moment
‘“I guess I’ll post the story from yesterday,” tweeted Radka, @CaseyRadka. “Richard Donohue invited me and my friend to the game yesterday because the seats we were sitting in (used to belong) to him and my dad from when that section was the ‘Batavia Party Zone.’ Richard has been a season ticket-holder for 40 years and has had the same seats every year, for the people looking for him I can help if needed because he is not on social media. This experience has been amazing and was all he could talk about last night @BuffaloBills.”’
Thursday’s New England Coverage
Matthew Judon has starred for the Patriots this season, and has had fun doing it (Boston Globe)
In Patriots-Bills rematch, you can throw previous game’s plans out the window (Boston Globe)
Patriots J.C. Jackson, Matthew Judon, and Matthew Slater all land Pro Bowl spots (Boston Globe)
What will the Patriots do if two of their top three receivers are out Sunday? (Boston Herald)
How COVID-19 uncertainty is impacting Patriots’ preparation for Bills (Boston Herald)
Guregian: The mind games with Buffalo have already begun (Boston Herald)
Patriots-Bills injury report: N’Keal Harry practices, Nelson Agholor out Wednesday (Boston Herald)
Patriots Matt Judon, J.C. Jackson, Matthew Slater named to 2022 Pro Bowl (Boston Herald)
Rookie of the Year favorite Mac Jones: ‘I can play a lot better,’ Patriots QB staying hard on himself (Springfield Republican)
Dont’a Hightower explains what went wrong on Jonathan Taylor’s game-sealing TD (Springfield Republican)
Patriots rookie Joshuah Bledsoe had two wrist surgeries in ‘long road’ to finally making roster (Springfield Republican)
Patriots WR N’Keal Harry, RB Damien Harris return to practice after injuries; Nelson Agholor absent (report) (Springfield Republican)
Patriots injury report: RB Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined due to illness, not on COVID list (Springfield Republican)
Patriots’ Matthew Judon, J.C. Jackson, Matthew Slater named Pro Bowlers (Springfield Republican)
Patriots May Get Key Contributors Back For Bills Matchup (AP)
Former Patriots LB Criticizes Mac Jones for Postgame Comments (SI)
Why Two Patriots Practice Squadders Could Play Important Roles Vs. Bills (NESN)
Patriots Practice Notes: Two Wideouts, Rookie RB Absent To Start Bills Week (NESN)
Bill Belichick Seems To Think Highly Of This Under-The-Radar Bills Wideout (NESN)
Mac Jones Was Happy To See This Ex-Patriots QB Get Starting Shot (NESN)
Matthew Judon Wants Patriots To Follow Three Steps Amid COVID Surge (NESN)
How Julian Edelman Feels About Patriots’ Super Bowl Chances This Year (NESN)
Why Julian Edelman Wasn’t Surprised By Mac Jones’ Patriots Practice Comments (NESN)
Not Even Julian Edelman Remembers Name Of This Patriots First-Rounder (NESN)
Julian Edelman Responds To Cooper Kupp-Related Shot In Perfect Tweet (NESN)
Sean McDermott Clarifies Eyebrow-Raising Bill Belichick Comment From Week 13 Loss (NESN)
Josh Allen Has Objectively False Take On Cole Beasley COVID-19 Situation (NESN)
Bills’ Cole Beasley Says Rules, Not COVID-19, Keeping Him Out Vs. Patriots (NESN)
Now Bills Player Talking About Making Patriots Offense One-Dimensional (NESN)
Patriots Injury Report: Here’s Why Rhamondre Stevenson Missed Practice (NESN)
These Three Patriots Players Named To Initial AFC Pro Bowl Roster (NESN)
Where Matthew Slater Ranks In Patriots History With Latest Pro Bowl Nod (NESN)
Judon among three Patriots players selected to Pro Bowl (NBC Sports Boston)
2022 NFL Draft order: Patriots on track for late first-round pick after Week 15 (NBC Sports Boston)
Keep an eye on 2 Patriots practice squad players potentially playing role vs. Bills (WEEI-FM)
Patriots get good and bad news at practice Wednesday (WEEI-FM)
Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) misses Patriots practice, 9 more limited (WEEI-FM)
3 Patriots selected to Pro Bowl (WEEI-FM)
Why is Mac Jones so hard on himself? (WEEI-FM)
Sean McDermott ready for rematch vs. Patriots: ‘We know who is up next’ (WEEI-FM)
Bills WR Cole Beasley, who will miss game vs. Patriots, says COVID isn’t keeping him out, the rules are (WEEI-FM)
Bills’ Super Bowl window is closed (WEEI-FM)
Bills fans get billboard outside Gillette Stadium, again (WEEI-FM)
Mac Jones ready to turn the page Sunday against Buffalo (WBZ-FM)
Devin McCourty puts Sunday’s Patriots-Bills game in perspective (WBZ-FM)
Patriots list 11 players on Wednesday injury report (WBZ-FM)
Three Patriots named to 2022 Pro Bowl (WBZ-FM)
Damien Harris, N’Keal Harry Limited At Wednesday’s Practice; Stevenson Does Not Practice Due To Illness (WBZ-TV)
Matthew Judon, J.C. Jackson, Matthew Slater Earn Pro Bowl Selections For Patriots (WBZ-TV)
McDaniels starting fresh on Bills gameplan (Patriots.com)
Notebook: McCourty ready for another divisional clash with Buffalo (Patriots.com)
Transcript: Bill Belichick Press Conference 12/22 (Patriots.com)
NFL Week 16: Patriots – Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)
Three Patriots selected to NFL Pro Bowl (Patriots.com)
Unvaccinated Cole Beasley blames ‘rules’ as he’s forced out of key Bills game with COVID
‘“Thank you for those who support,” he continued. “Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.”’
Bills’ Cole Beasley takes aim at NFL ‘rules’ after testing positive for COVID-19
‘”Just to be clear COVID is not keeping me out of this game. The rules are,” he wrote in the post. “Vaxxed players are playing with Covid every week now because they don’t test. One of my vaxxed teammates is in the hospital missing games. I’m sure he didn’t get this same energy. Thank you for those who support. Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.”‘
Bills WR Cole Beasley: ‘The Rules,’ Not COVID-19 Are ‘Keeping Me’ Out vs. Patriots
‘“Just to be clear COVID is not keeping me out of this game. The rules are,” he wrote. “Vaxxed players are playing with Covid every week now because they don’t test. One of my vaxxed teammates is in the hospital missing games. I’m sure he didn’t get this same energy. Thank you for those who support. Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.”’
Bills’ Cole Beasley reacts to placement on COVID-19 reserve: ‘Covid is not keeping me out of this game’
‘Just to be clear, COVID is not keeping me out of this game. The rules are,” Beasley said in an Instagram post. “Vaxxed players are playing with COVID every week now because they don’t test. One of my vaxxed teammates is in the hospital missing games. I’m sure he didn’t get this same energy. Thank you for those who support. Everyone else, if you don’t get what’s happening then there is nothing anybody can do for you.”‘
Three Bills, nine Patriots limited on Wednesday
‘The Bills had three players listed as limited participants in Wednesday’s session, including veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who missed this past Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a knee injury.’
Diggs, Dawkins chosen to Pro Bowl
‘It will be Diggs’ second Pro Bowl after being selected last year, as well, while Dawkins was chosen for the first time in his five-year career.’
Buffalo Bills’ Dion Dawkins, Stefon Diggs named to AFC Pro Bowl roster
‘Left tackle Dion Dawkins and wide receiver Stefon Diggs represent the Bills on the AFC Pro Bowl roster.’
Diggs, Dawkins named to Pro Bowl
‘While they didn’t make the initial roster, the Bills did get several alternates. QB Josh Allen and Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds were named first alternate. Tight End Dawson Knox and Linebacker Tyler Matakevich earned second alternate bids. Safety Jordan Poyer and Long Snapper Reid Ferguson were named third alternates. Safety Micah Hyde’s a fourth alternate, and Center Mitch Morse and Kicker Tyler Bass will be fifth alternates.’
Bills’ McDermott keeps focus on Patriots game, not COVID situation
‘Coach McDermott said Sanders would participate fully in the Bills’ Wednesday walk-through and that the team will monitor his status day-to-day. There is no update at the moment on if Sanders will be able to suit up on Sunday versus New England.’
Stefon Diggs, Dion Dawkins will represent Buffalo in Pro Bowl
‘It’s the first trip to the Pro Bowl for Dawkins. The left tackle has been inconsistent at times but improved steadily and been solid for the majority of the season. Josh Allen has been sacked 26 times, which is 17th fewest among NFL quarterbacks.’
Bills’ Micah Hyde gifts over 100 kids sneakers for the holiday
‘More than 150 pairs of brand new Nike sneakers were given away and each kid received an Imagine for Youth Foundation bag, an autographed Micah Hyde photograph, a bag of popcorn, hot chocolate, and holiday treats.’
Bills game against the Patriots carries massive playoff implications
‘With a win, the Bills will have the inside track to the AFC East title. If they were to lose, the Bills will more than likely have to rely on a wildcard berth in order to make the playoffs.’
Bills not touching Beasley, Covid discussion
‘Jordan Poyer wouldn’t talk about the subject at all. The other two team representatives who Zoomed with media on Wednesday–Josh Allen and Sean McDermott–did their best to tap dance around the issue. McDermott has had plenty of practice with that this season.’
Dawkins, Diggs to rep Bills at Pro Bowl
‘Dawkins makes his first Pro Bowl as one of three offensive tackles that will represent the AFC.’
Dawkins and Diggs named to Pro Bowl: Allen and Poyer snubbed
‘Seven Bills were named alternates which is a polite way to say they were snubbed. Most notably, Josh Allen and Jordan Poyer.’
Stefon Diggs named to Pro-Bowl for second straight year
‘Diggs has the most receptions and receiving yards on the team and his eight touchdowns are tied with Dawson Knox for the most among any Bill this year.’
Bills lean on player-driven leadership to prepare for rematch against the Patriots
‘”That’s where leadership really comes in,” McDermott said. “The team is led by player-driven leaders during this time of year. It’s good to be playing in important games down the stretch so we respect that and respect the opponent. But again, I think the big key is the leadership in the locker room during the back quarter of the season if you will, and now in the last couple of games here. So, that’ll be a big piece for us going forward.”‘
Stefon Diggs and Dion Dawkins to represent the Bills in the 2022 Pro Bowl
‘After Sunday’s win against the Panthers, Diggs became the only wide receiver in franchise history with more than 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards two years in a row. Diggs has 82 (12th most) catches for 1,007 yards (tied for 12th most) and eight touchdowns (tied for 8th most) through 14 games this season.’
Bills sign defensive end Breeland Speaks to the practice squad
‘Speaks spent the majority of the 2021 season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before being released on Dec. 6. He originally joined the NFL in 2018 as a second round pick (46th overall) of Kansas City. He played his college football at Ole Miss. He has spent time with the Raiders and Giants in his career. He is a native of Jackson, MS.’