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Buffalo Bills
Posted on February 3, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve been running a pair of series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. We kicked off the dark cloud portion with the Bills reality check in the Whiteout game, moved on with the poor decision of banking on Shawne Merriman and our last stop was with a faltering Ryan Fitzpatrick. Today we reach the second-darkest cloud on the season—the unbelievable afternoon in New York of Stevie Johnson.
It’s regarded nearly as unanimous that Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the National Football League. It’s almost newsworthy when he gets beat for more than one pass in a game, so you can only presume how rare it is for a receiver to have eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown against Mr. Lockdown. For the love of God, that’s a half season or more worth of numbers against him in about four quarters.
So how in the world can a wide out have so much triumph while frequenting Revis Island yet at the end of the day, have it hark back to the team’s second-darkest cloud of the entire season?
That’s Stevie Johnson effect for you.
2011 Bills Darkest Clouds- No. 2: Stevie Shoots Himself – continue reading…
Posted on February 2, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 While frequenting my Twitter account this afternoon, I slapped an update that essentially said I’m thinking the Buffalo Bills are not going to re-sign wide receiver Stevie Jonson to a long-term contract anytime soon, and certainly not before free agency starts.
In fairness of full disclosure, this is my opinion right now based primarily on things I’m hearing, but do not have a solid source telling me anything concrete.
I tweeted on December 13 that I’m hearing the Bills will place the franchise tag on Johnson if they don’t re-sign him. Right now, I’m not even completely convinced the Bills themselves know what they want to do with Johnson.
The Curious Case Of Stevie Johnson – continue reading…
Posted on February 1, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve been running a pair of series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. Our biggest bright spots section has already featured the emergence of Scott Chandler at tight end, the surprisingly strong play of the offensive line and the revelation that running back C.J. Spiller is not bust. We’re now up to the number two on the countdown— the early return on Buffalo’s 2011 rookies.
I almost don’t know what to do with myself right now— associating a Buffalo Bills draft and the term “bright spot” in the same sentence. Without needing to divulge copious amounts of details that trust me, Bills fans already know, the organization doesn’t exactly have the most glitzy of reputations when it comes to choosing college talent for the National Football League.
General manager Buddy Nix did little, if nothing to silence critics in his first rodeo running the team in 2010. In April he drafted his inaugural class, one that frankly looks like a catastrophe at this time. Torell Troup, Alex Carrington, Marcus Easley, Arthur Moats and Danny Batten haven’t done much—OK they’ve done nothing to help improve the franchise. Even the late season emergence of C.J. Spiller isn’t yet able to protect this class from verging as an overall failure.
Bills Biggest Bright Spots- No. 2: Early Rookie Returns – continue reading…
Posted on January 31, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve been running a pair of series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. We kicked off the dark cloud portions with number five the Bills reality check in the Whiteout game and moved on with the poor decision of banking on Shawne Merriman. Today we reach the third-darkest cloud on the season—the rise and fall of starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The Bills concluded one of the more irritating campaigns in franchise history and no one was more front and center than quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Among those genuinely in early consideration for NFL Most Valuable Player through seven weeks, Fitzpatrick received a colossal contract extension in late October and almost without delay suffered through an atrocious second half that had fans and critics alike once again questioning the aptitude of the organization’s decision makers.
Things undoubtedly began promising for the heavily bearded gunslinger. He threw seven touchdown passes and just one interception as Buffalo started the season with a pair of wins against AFC West foes Kansas City and Oakland.
2011 Bills Darkest Clouds- No. 3: Fitz Falters – continue reading…
Posted on January 26, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve started a series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. Our biggest bright spots section has already featured the emergence of Scott Chandler at tight end and the surprisingly strong play of the offensive line. Today we move on to our third-biggest bright spot of 2011– the revelation that running back C.J. Spiller is not bust.
In what nearly became the defining play of his two-year Buffalo Bills career, C.J. Spiller lined up split out wide right on the first play of the third quarter in a game at Dallas November 13. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick took an Eric Wood snap and dropped back to pass. As he was doing so, Spiller blew past the linebacker assigned to him in coverage.
Heaving arguably his best long ball of the season, Fitzpatrick launched a flawless spiral in the direction of Spiller for what looked to be a highlight reel 83-yard pass and catch for a touchdown; a much needed one considering the Bills were already down 28-7.
Bills Biggest Bright Spots- No. 3: Spiller’s Not A Bust – continue reading…
Posted on January 24, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve started a series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. We kicked off the dark cloud portions recently with number five on our countdown— the Bills reality check in the Whiteout game. Today we trudge on by profiling the fourth-darkest cloud on the season; Buddy Nix banking too heavily on Shawne Merriman.
There’s always something admirable about taking a chance, particularly in the ultra conservative world of Buffalo Bills football. Whether Shawne Merriman ever becomes the feared Pro Bowl linebacker he used to be or never plays another down for the franchise again, I’ll never condemn general manager Buddy Nix for rolling the dice and calling his shot.
Regrettably when it comes to Merriman’s prospects, it far looks like the latter will be the scenario played out.
2011 Bills Darkest Clouds- No. 4: Too Much On Merriman – continue reading…
Posted on January 23, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 Peter King published his regular Monday Morning Quarterback column on Sports Illustrated (.com) and as you’d suspect, the meat and potatoes dealt with the respective AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday. However, always hungry for a tidbit of information that could affect the Buffalo Bills, I came across something of note while examining King’s “Fine Fifteen” rankings.
In it King makes a pretty compelling case that pending Houston Texans free agent Mario Williams may actually indeed, become a true free agent.
“Now the question for this franchise is whether they fight to keep free agent outside linebacker/defensive end Mario Williams away from the market. The way this team played defensively at Baltimore, and as many talented young defensive players as the Texans have, and as many guys as they have to think about paying with a flat cap in the next two offseason, I bet they’re seriously considering letting Williams walk.” King penned.
Could Mario Willams Actually Hit The Open Market? – continue reading…
Posted on January 16, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’ve started a series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. Our fifth-biggest bright spot was the emergence of Scott Chandler at tight end. Today we continue with the focus on a pleasantly surprising offensive line.
Opinions often varied when projecting how the Buffalo Bills would do in 2011. Some thought the franchise would struggle to improve on their four-win total from a year ago while most predicted a six to eight win campaign was more reasonable. Of course, a few hopeless optimists outlined this as the year the Bills finally broke their over-extended playoff drought.
While forecasts for the team’s fortunes were to a certain extent divided, it was pretty much universal that the offensive line would be a calamity. The unit was often wretched in 2010 and did nothing in the offseason other than draft a rookie tackle in the fourth round to boost the talent. To make matters worse, the last year’s reserves performed so badly in the preseason they were all sent packing when final cuts came down; a group that included Geoff Hangartner, Mansfield Wrotto and Cordaro Howard.
Bills Biggest Bright Spots- No. 4: Non-Offensive Line – continue reading…
Posted on January 15, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 Hopefully Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix spent Saturday being a clever student.
Teams looking on the outside of the NFL playoffs, particularly those that don’t possess dominating tight ends got a first-hand look Saturday that the Golden Era of the position has arrived in the NFL. San Francisco’s Vernon Davis, New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham and New England’s Rob Gronkowski put on performances yesterday that fans, and people around the league will be talking about for a long time.
How prevalent is the tight end in today’s NFL? Yesterday the three tight ends combined for numbers that can only be described as mind-blowing—– 22 combined catches for 428 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s just absurd.
The Bills have a pretty good tight end in Scott Chandler and Nix should re-sign him. Chandler had 38 receptions for 389 yards and six touchdowns last year—— pretty good numbers, especially for a Bills tight end. Chandler can remain an effective red zone option for Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Nix should pay extra attention to athletic tight ends entering this year’s NFL draft.
Yesterday showed how game-changing possessing a great tight end can be.
Posted on January 12, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’re starting a series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. We got off to happy start earlier highlighting the emergence of tight end Scott Chandler as a bright spot. Somberly, today we trudge on by profiling the fifth-darkest cloud on the season—- the horrifically painful to watch reality check the New York Jets laid on the Bills in week nine.
Whiteout.
That’s how the Buffalo Bills marketed their home affair with the New York Jets on Sunday November 6. Coming off an impressive 23-0 shutout over Washington in Toronto the week before, the Bills proudly strutted to Ralph Wilson Stadium with a 5-2 record and a showdown with the AFC East rival Jets looming. The game generated strong buzz on sports shows both locally and nationally thoughout the airwaves, and drew the CBS top announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms to Orchard Park.
Fans were encouraged to wear white to the Stadium by Russ Brandon to embody whiteout conditions to the enemy, and that’s precisely what the Bills faithful did.
Regrettably, this whiteout was a Bills’ snowball that quickly grew to an avalanche of bad things to come for the rest of the season.
2011 Bills Darkest Clouds- No. 5: The Whiteout – continue reading…
Posted on January 11, 2012 by UB Press Report
University at Buffalo head football coach Jeff Quinn announced today that defensive coordinator William Inge has accepted a coaching position with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
Inge, who has served as the Bulls’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since Quinn arrived at UB two years ago, served in the NFL minority coaching program this past year and worked part of the Bills’ training camp. He will be the assistant defensive line coach for new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt.
Inge’s 2010 defense was among the Bulls’ best in their 13-year association with Division I-A football. This past year his tutelage of linebacker Khalil Mack resulted in the sophomore earning Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-America honors.
“Coach Inge was contacted by the Buffalo Bills about joining their staff and has accepted the opportunity presented to him, which I completely understand,” said Quinn. “He set the example of loyalty in this profession, he was loyal to this staff, the players and the program and did a tremendous job for us.
“I’d like to thank Coach Inge for everything he has done for the University at Buffalo and wish him and his family all the best,” said Quinn. “We are actively seeking his replacement to coach our defense and I’m certain that we will have outstanding candidates to do so.”
Posted on January 10, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 We’re starting a series at Buffalo Sports Daily, highlighting the five biggest bright spots… and dark clouds on the 2011 Buffalo Bills season. Since there’s been so much doom and gloom with the team over the last nine weeks of the regular season, let’s start things off in a positive tone with our fifth biggest bright spot— the sudden emergence of tight end Scott Chandler.
Much like folk music, handwriting and critical thinking, the tight end position in Buffalo is a lost art form. To call production from the position sparse would be a flat-out lie around these parts. Frankly, it’s been non-existent.
That changed in 2011 thanks to the most unlikeliest of candidates. Most didn’t even know if Scott Chandler would make the team coming out of an abbreviated training camp and preseason schedule. All he did is quickly become one of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s most reliable weapons.
Bills Biggest Bright Spots- No. 5: Scott Chandler – continue reading…
Posted on January 10, 2012 by Patrick Moran
No matter hard he tries, Buffalo Bills San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner never knows when to shut his mouth. On the heels of San Francisco’s biggest football game in over a decade, Whitner took time from his busy preparation Monday to take a shot at his former team and specifically, his former head coach Chan Gailey.
While discussing how first-year San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh prefers to keep his player criticism in-house, Whitner told San Francisco Chronicle writer Eric Branch it was quite the opposite in Buffalo, essentially claiming Gailey routinely throw his own players under the bus with the media.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Whitner told Branch, “will never throw his players under the bus, and he puts all the pressure on himself. Coach Harbaugh does the same thing.
Donte Whitner Still Ripping On Former Bills Coach – continue reading…
Posted on January 9, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 Last Monday, Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix stood in front of the podium for his season ending press conference and offered precious little to say, instead telling a contingent of reporters he wanted a full week to appraise matters and talk to everyone on the staff, including owner Ralph Wilson before diving head first into subjects with those who cover the team.
Today Nix delivered. Engaging if not flat-out candid with reporters, Nix talked at length about a wide variety of topics ranging from personnel to offseason needs and even the salary cap.
If you want to skip all the way to the end, you can read word-for-word every question for Nix and subsequent reply (courtesy of the Bills media relation department.) If that’s too long-winded for your enjoyment, here’s my point-by-point summary of Nix’s conversation followed by my effort to read between the lines of what he was saying.
Buddy Nix Presser: Reading Between The Lines – continue reading…
Posted on January 9, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 As first reported by the Buffalo News, Buffalo Bills wide receivers coach Stan Hixon is leaving the organization to become receivers coach at Penn State University, effective immediately.
Hixon has spent the past two season with the Bills, coming to Buffalo in 2010 after spending six seasons with the Washington Redskins. A former talented college wide receiver at Iowa State himself, Hixon is given a lot of credit in the rise of Stevie Johnson. Hixon also helped developed three undrafted wide receivers into a regular role with the Bills; David Nelson, Donald Jones and Naaman Roosevelt.
Hixon is the second Bills offensive coach to leave the organization over the past few days. Quarterback coach George Cortez left to become head coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL over the weekend.
Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was hired to be the Penn State head coach last week. O’Brien was on the same staff with Hixon for five seasons at Georgia Tech (1995-99.)
Posted on January 8, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 The 15 modern-era finalists were revealed for the National Football League 2012 Hall of Fame class on Saturday and once again, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed made the cut. The class will be announced live on February 4; the day before the Super Bowl.
This is the sixth consecutive Reed has made it to the Finalists round. If Reed finally gets in, he’d be the ninth Bills to be enshrined in Canton, joining Joe DeLamielleure, Jim Kelly, Marv Levy, Billy Shaw, O.J. Simpson, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, and Ralph Wilson, Jr.
Reed is one of three wide receivers to make it this far, joining Chris Carter (fifth straight year as a finalist) and Tim Brown (third) among the final 15 from the modern era.
2012: Andre Reed’s Best Shot To Gain Hall Entrance – continue reading…
Posted on January 8, 2012 by BSD Staff Reports
 The Buffalo Bills had one coaching move come via the firing of defensive coordinator George Edwards. They’ll now be looking for a quarterbacks coach after incumbent George Cortez left to become the head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Cortez came to Buffalo when Chan Gailey was hired and 2010 and did an outstanding job with Ryan Fitzpatrick over the past two seasons.
In a press release from the Bills, Gailey congratulated Cortez on his opportunity, saying ”George did an excellent job during his time with us and I want to offer my congratulations to him in his new role as head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-cats. We’re excited for him with this new opportunity and wish him the best of luck.”
No word yet on who the Bills may be looking at to replace Cortez.
Posted on January 5, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 When it comes to the Buffalo Bills, fans are far too used to hunting down NFL mock drafts and information about prospects approximately five minutes after the regular season ends, since the Bills haven’t played in the postseason in well over a decade.
In the first of what’s to be countless mock drafts we’ll publish by others, let’s roll out Wes Bunting’s first-round mock from the National Football Post because hey— Bunting is a credible guy.
With his mock, Bunting has the Bills selecting Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff with the 10th overall pick.
Here Come Those NFL Mocks – continue reading…
Posted on January 4, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 When free agency begins, the Buffalo Bills have 14 pending unrestricted free agents and three restricted to deal with. Since I don’t feel much like writing a long lead-in to an already obvious topic, I’ll jump right into things with a forecast on how things may shake down, who’ll be back and who’s most likely to be playing elsewhere in 2012.
LOCK TO RETURN
Scott Chandler: It makes far too little sense for either side to want to part ways after the season Chandler just had. The Bills finally got solid production out of the tight end spot with Chandler, who caught 38 passes for 389 yards and six touchdowns as he became a go-to guy for Ryan Fitzpatrick. The offense is clearly better with him in the lineup, and I’d be shocked if Buddy Nix didn’t provide fair compensation for his services. Most people, including myself weren’t even sure he’d make the 2011 roster last summer.
Coming & Going: The Bills Free Agent Class – continue reading…
Posted on January 3, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 Monday was locker room clean out day for the Buffalo Bills, and most players (no, not Stevie Johnson) made themselves available to the media.
One of them was linebacker Andra Davis, who had quite the interesting second campaign in Buffalo this year. Davis began the season as the starting inside linebacker but was eventually supplanted by rookie Kelvin Sheppard. Ever the class act, Davis never griped or complained publicly. Instead, he worked as hard as possible and perhaps more importantly, served as an outstanding mentor both on and off the field for Sheppard.
The potential unrestricted free agent spoke with reporters about how grateful he is to still be playing in the NFL and made it clear he has no plans to retire at this time.
Andra Davis Has No Plans To Retire – continue reading…
Posted on January 3, 2012 by BSD Staff Reports
 Monday was locker room clean out day for the Buffalo Bills, and most players (no, not Stevie Johnson) made themselves available to the media.
One of them was tight end Scott Chandler, who was one of the team’s biggest bright spots in 2011. Chandler entered the season with one career catch but caught 38 for 389 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. The numbers were spectacular for a tight end by Buffalo’s standards and had he not been bothered by a leg injury near the end of the season, could’ve done even better.
The potential unrestricted free agent spoke with reporters about his season and the prospects of hitting the open market.
The following transcript comes to you courtesy of the Bills media relations department:
Chandler Would Love To Return To Buffalo – continue reading…
Posted on January 2, 2012 by Patrick Moran
 It was perfectly fitting that the Buffalo Bills ended the season in the fashion they did Sunday at New England. In 60 minutes the Bills showed exactly why they won five of their seven games and of course, also demonstrated why they were losers in eight of their final nine.
A stunned Patriots squad spotted the underdog Bills a three-touchdown lead early before storming back to score seven unanswered touchdowns and put a whipping on Buffalo, 49-21 to end their latest disappointment with a 6-10 record.
With the loss, Buffalo will hold the 10th overall pick in next April’s draft.
A Fitting End For The 2011 Bills – continue reading…
Posted on December 30, 2011 by Patrick Moran
 When the Buffalo Bills take the field Sunday in New England for their season finale, Michael Jasper will be on the active roster for the first time this season. It’s certainly been a long road for the 2011 seventh-rounder out of Bethel.
Drafted as a defensive tackle, the 6’4”, 375 pound giant was one of the final roster cuts by the Bills in September. Shortly later he was brought back to the practice squad and since has been converted to guard. After working for the past several months, Japser was finally promoted after Kraig Urbik and Demetrius Bell went down with injuries last week. With just six healthy offensive linemen, Jasper is now just one snap away from seeing his first NFL game action on the offensive line.
Jasper was interviewed by reporters on Wednesday. The following, courtesy of the Bills media relations department, is what he had to say:
Jasper Excited About Bills Roster Promotion – continue reading…
Posted on December 29, 2011 by Patrick Moran
 Up until now, most Buffalo Bills fans had an inkling as to what was going on between the organization and Stevie Johnson as his current contract expires after Sunday’s season finale at New England. It’s known the sides tried to negotiate a deal earlier this year with no success, revisited talks at some point during the season and came away far apart.
What hasn’t been known is precisely what kind of money the fourth-year pending free agent is looking for.
Thanks to some clutch reporting from Joe Buscaglia and Sal Capaccio of WGR550, we have that answer.
A WGR report Thursday cites a source claiming Johnson is asking the Bills for $7.5 million per season and looking to get a four or five year deal.
Time For Bills To Pay Stevie Johnson – continue reading…
Posted on December 29, 2011 by Patrick Moran
 Though they’re hardly likely to get any sympathy from the injury-riddled Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots are dealing with some wounded warriors of their own. Star guard Logan Mankins (MCL) is definitely out for Sunday’s season finale at Foxboro, and franchise quarterback Tom Brady was limited to stretching practice on Thursday because of a sore shoulder, according to multiple reports.
Don’t get overly excited for a season sweep, Bills fans—- Brady is definitely expecting to play on Sunday so don’t anticipate seeing backup Brian Hoyer early in the game.
Brady has been on fire most the season for New England, throwing for 4,897 yards and 36 touchdowns. Though his record was already eclipsed by Drew Brees last week, Dan Marino could see his former record of 5,084 yards also fall to Brady against the Bills. Brady needs 187 yards to surpass Marino for the second-highest passing yards in a single season, and if he goes wild on the Buffalo secondary could even challenge Brees.
Brady has thrown just 11 interceptions all season, but four came against the Buffalo Bills in their 34-31 upset on September 25. In that game Brady also threw for four touchdowns and 387 yards on 30-of-45 passing.
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