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Buffalo Bills News

Reed to find out today if this is his year
February 4
Buffalo News
 
"Andre Reed gets the chance to get over the final hurdle and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. Reed, the Buffalo Bills' all-time greatest receiver, is one of the 15 modern-era finalists who will be considered during the selection meeting for the Hall's Class of 2012. The 15 finalists are to be whittled in a reduction vote from 15 to 10 and then to five during the course of the meeting. At that point the selectors vote up or down on the final five candidates. Reed has made it to the final 10 each of the past two years, and this is his sixth straight year as one of the final 15. Reed is one of five returning finalists who reached the final 10 a year ago. The others are center"
NFL expands Thursday schedule
February 4
New York Post
 
"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"
Ex-Buff Boyd Dowler enjoyed a Super career with Packers
February 3
Denver Post
 columnist Woody Paige
"In the inaugural "supergame," as the NFL-AFL championship was referred to in 1966, a Wyoming native and former Colorado quarterback could have been somebody. "The Chiefs had defensive players we respected, but we knew we could attack their corners. That was the weakness," says Boyd Dowler, the Packers' best receiver at the time. "Bart (Starr) was planning to throw to me a lot.""
Brady apologizes for Wednesday comments about Buffalo hotels
February 3
Buffalo News
 
"News Senior Sports Columnist Jerry Sullivan caught up with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady this morning, one day after Brady had said of the Buffalo's hotels: "They're not the nicest places in the world." Sullivan asked, "Tom, are you aware that the most elite hotel invited you to stay the night?" (In reference to the Mansion on Delaware's offer to the Pats QB.) "I appreciate that," Brady responded with a laugh, then said, "I apologize for saying that." Sullivan responded, "Well, there is some truth to it." "I know. Buffalo was tough on us this year -- at Buffalo," Brady said, referencing the BIlls' Week Three victory in which he was intercepted four times."
Fewell at heart of Giant turnaround
February 3
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Back in his Buffalo days, Perry Fewell talked about being a light sleeper. Typically, it was the week before the New England game. Coaches are like that. They'll lie there in the middle of the night, eyes closed, game film projecting through their unconscious mind. Sometimes, Fewell would bolt awake, enlivened by some fresh idea, some new way to move defensive players around like chess pieces. This is the coach's joy and his obsession, the urge to tinker and teach gifted young players to a higher level. Now, two years after leaving Buffalo and more than a quarter century into his coaching journey, Fewell finally has a chance to prepare a defense for the biggest game of all. On Sunday, his"
Bills hiring Metzelaars to coach tight ends
February 3
Buffalo News
 
"The greatest tight end in Buffalo Bills history has a deal to join coach Chan Gailey's staff. Pete Metzelaars has agreed to fill the last opening on the Bills' coaching staff, a source close to the situation told The News. Bills great Jim Kelly, who strongly recommended Metzelaars to Gailey, tweeted the agreement. It's not expected the Bills will announce the move until a contract is signed. Metzelaars, 51, spent the past two years as offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts. He lost his job on Jan. 17 when the Colts fired head coach Jim Caldwell. Metzelaars worked six years before that as offensive quality control coach for the Colts, and spent a lot of time learning under"
Dareus weighs in on switch to 4-3
February 3
Buffalo News
 
"Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus visited the Super Bowl media center Thursday. He said he does not view the Bills' move from a 3-4 front to a 4-3 defense as a major change. "It's not that much different than what we've been doing," Dareus told The News. "The defense we were playing last year I look at as like 4-3 defense but with more shades and different schemes. ... I have no idea what the scheme is going to be like." Dareus spent much of his rookie season playing a 3-technique, lining up on the outside shoulder of the guard. Before fellow defensive tackle Kyle Williams got hurt in October, Dareus spent a fair amount of time shaded to one side of the center, in a nose"
Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams
February 3
CBSSports.com
 
"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."
Unnecessary bluntness by Brady
February 2
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Silly me. By Wednesday, with the Media Day circus over, I figured it would be safe to talk some actual football. The original plan was to ask the Giants about defending Tom Brady. I never expected to be defending Buffalo against him. It's not as if Bills fans need more reasons to despise Brady. Since taking over as the Patriots' quarterback, he has gone 18-2 against Buffalo. The Pats have won those games by an average score of about 30-10. Brady is a pretty boy with a supermodel wife. This is his fifth Super Bowl since the last time the Bills made the playoffs. Brady is the kid you hated in school, the one with the looks and the advantages, a reminder of your own pathetic irrelevance. But"
Stevie's giveaway no contest
February 2
Buffalo News
 
"A week ago, Stevie Johnson came up with the idea of giving away two Super Bowl tickets on Twitter to provide a fan with a memorable experience. What he didn't anticipate was helping a young man and his family through a period of grieving. Johnson, the Buffalo Bills' free agent wide receiver, started the contest on Monday but ended the contest a day early after the outpouring of affection for the eventual winner: Mark Armstrong, a three-sport star for Clarence High School whose father, Bob, died suddenly last Sunday from a heart attack. "This shows how much of a heart Stevie has," Mark said. "This shows his compassion and how much he loves Buffalo. Even if he doesn't return next year this"
Stevie Johnson wants Bills to bid
February 2
Buffalo News
 
"Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson said Wednesday that while he hopes the team makes him a suitable offer, he views his pending free agency as a good option. "Of course I'm hoping Buffalo will step up," said Johnson, who will officially become a free agent on March 13. "But if not and I hit the market in free agency, then Buffalo is in the picture no matter what. But to be in free agency to see what other teams are saying, that's also good." C.J. Laboy, Johnson's San Francisco-based agent, said he is optimistic as talks continue. "We all know where Stevie's heart is and that's a big reason why he's engrained himself in the Buffalo community as much as he has," Laboy said. "There's"
Bills' reshuffle results in 4-3
January 31
Buffalo News
 
"News of the reshuffling and the additions on the Buffalo Bills coaching staff were overshadowed Monday by the announcement of a defensive adjustment that will include switching to a 4-3 formation from a base 3-4 which was used under coach Chan Gailey the last two seasons. The move isn't surprising considering the Bills used a four-man front for most of last season due to personnel and injuries. The shift began during the team's Week Eight victory over the Washington Redskins, the first game rookie Marcell Dareus moved from 3-4 defensive end to 4-3 defensive tackle. Dareus and the Bills responded with a season-best 10 sacks, the second most in franchise history, in a 23-0 shutout win."
Agent: Sanborn agrees to three-year extension
January 30
Buffalo News
 
"The Bills officially announced the signing of long snapper Garrison Sanborn, who was set to become a restricted free agent. Sanborn has agreed to a three-year extension, according to his agent Craig Schaeffer. The Bills signed Sanborn as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State in 2009 and has been the team's primary long snapper for the past three seasons. He has played in all 48 games since '09."
Colts' dirty laundry overshadowing big game
January 30
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Indianapolis opens its doors to the world this week. The Super Bowl is in town. Make yourself at home. But be careful when you step inside. The living room furniture might be flipped over, and pieces of the good china might go smashing off the walls. There's trouble in the Colts family, as you're probably aware, and just in time to host American's biggest sports event. It's like having all the relatives for Christmas two days after deciding a divorce is long overdue. Work on that smile, Indy. It looks a little forced. And put down the meat cleaver while you're at it. Colts owner Jim Irsay and his superstar quarterback, Peyton Manning, have been spatting for the last week or so. Irsay has"
Fitz suggests Bills weren't ready for success
January 26
Buffalo News
 
"In an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio on Wednesday, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick suggested that the team faltered because it couldn't handle the success of a 5-2 start. "I guess we weren't ready for it yet," Fitzpatrick said. "We weren't ready to be able to accept the fact that we were playing well and playing as the team that was on the top (of the AFC East).""
Sabres on road to nowhere
January 23
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Sabres returned home late Saturday night but it was only a pit stop. After practice today, they'll head for New Jersey and play their final game before the All-Star break Tuesday in the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., against the Devils. The Sabres' season is officially a train wreck, with observers simply waiting for any move, any sign that the organization plans to engineer a turnaround. The status of General Manager Darcy Regier and coach Lindy Ruff has never been shakier since they arrived on the scene in 1997. A sell-off of players leading up to the trade deadline -- at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 -- seems inevitable."
First down was time to shine for Bills running backs
January 22
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills' ability to run the ball well on first down should be the foundation of a successful offense for the team next season. The Bills led the NFL in yards per carry on first-and-10 situations in 2011. The Bills averaged 5.46 yards on 192 carries, not counting quarterback scrambles. That was well ahead of most of the league. Only four other teams averaged better than 5 yards a carry on first and 10. They were Oakland (5.29), New Orleans (5.19), Carolina (5.09) and Pittsburgh (5.07). Not surprisingly, all those teams moved the ball well. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense. Carolina was seventh, Oakland ninth, Pittsburgh 12th and Buffalo 14th. Such good running ability is a"
QBs pave the road to rings
January 22
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"It's become an annual rite. Bills fans watch the NFL playoffs and relate them to their own team, searching for signs of hope. Last week, I'm sure, people watched the quarterbacks in the divisional round and said, Ryan Fitzpatrick could do that, couldn't he? Sure, Fitz could get to a playoff game and win one with the right supporting cast. If Joe Flacco can get the Ravens to two AFC championship games, why not? Alex Smith was written off as a failure after six seasons in San Francisco. Now he's one game away from the Super Bowl. There are a lot of ways to win football games. Average quarterbacks can take you a long way. But they rarely win the big game, or even carry you there. That's why"
Blackout rules for NFL games studied by FCC
January 21
Buffalo News
 
"Fans of the Buffalo Bills and other teams frequently subjected to television blackout rules soon may get a reprieve -- and critics of the rules are encouraging fans to make their voices heard in support of changes in a longtime federal policy that prevents satellite and cable broadcasters from airing games that are not sold out. Doing so could make a difference as the Federal Communications Commission considers altering or eliminating its four-decade-old blackout rules, said Brian Frederick, executive director of the Sports Fans Coalition. "For the next month, fans will have the opportunity to speak up about blackouts and actually be heard," Frederick said on his organization's website"
Williams grows into Bills' role
January 21
Buffalo News
 
"Aaron Williams' "welcome to the NFL moment" came in the first preseason game of the summer in Chicago. "I was going against a screen to the tight end," Williams recalled. "It was me and him mano-a-mano. He was 6-6, 265 pounds. You're a rookie, and you know the vets are looking, so you can't miss that tackle. I tried with all my heart to go with my full body. I hit him and I got him down. But I was shaken up. I couldn't get up for awhile." Williams showed a physical style early and often enough throughout his rookie season to make him a favorite for a starting position next season. Size and athleticism are the reasons the Bills took him with their second pick in the 2011 NFL draft. At"
Eagles eying Trent Edwards as Young's replacement
January 19
CSN Philly
 
"The Eagles are eying former Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards as a possible replacement for Vince Young as Michael Vick's backup. The Eagles worked out Edwards this week, a team source said, and with Young due to become a free agent this offseason, Edwards could very well wind up replacing Young as the Eagles' No. 2 quarterback."
Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials
January 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees. Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls. They then would be spread out among the crews at games."
Free market economy
January 15
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills are not in danger of deep cuts into their talent base in free agency in 2012 -- with one notable exception, of course. The future of receiver Stevie Johnson has been the subject of speculation for months, and his status may well be in doubt for two months more -- until the start of the NFL's free agency season on March 13. Aside from Johnson, however, the Bills have only one other uncontested starter on offense or defense set to hit free agency. That is tight end Scott Chandler. The contract of veteran place-kicker Rian Lindell is up. So is that of left tackle Demetrius Bell, who started six games in 2011. After that, all the Bills' unsigned players set to become"
Wood works to be ready for Bills camp
January 14
Buffalo News
 
"Eric Wood isn't back to his old self just yet, but if anything is clear it's that the Buffalo Bills' center remains upbeat in the face of a laborious rehab after reconstructive knee surgery. In that way, the story remains the same for Wood. Things are going according to plan, he's persevering and, yes, there's a timetable for a return. "I'm walking around fine," Wood said. "Rehab is progressing well. I met with the doctors and they said it looks great for six or seven weeks. I've got a lot of rehab ahead of me but I obviously won't be back for OTA's or anything but I'll be around town. I just hope to be back for training camp." His priority remains getting as healthy as possible -- Wood"
Wildcat guru Lee named Bills' QB coach
January 13
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills' search for a replacement for quarterbacks coach George Cortez has come to a quick conclusion. The Bills reached an agreement with 36-year coaching veteran David Lee to become the team's new QB coach, ESPN reported. Cortez left the Bills last week to become head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Lee, 58, was offensive coordinator for the University of Mississippi in 2011. He left Ole Miss at the end of the season after head coach Houston Nutt resigned."
Bills hire UB's Inge as defensive line assistant coach
January 12
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills have tabbed University at Buffalo defensive coordinator William Inge as their new assistant defensive line coach. Inge was the defensive coordinator under Jeff Quinn the last two seasons. The Bulls ranked 63rd nationally in total defense in 2011 and 32nd in 2010. Inge and Bulls associate head coach Ernest Jones participated in the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship program with the Bills last summer, when Inge assisted Dave Wannstedt, now the team's defensive coordinator, in coaching the inside linebackers. General Manager Buddy Nix said there would likely be changes on the defensive staff under Wannstedt and the first move is hiring Inge."
Spiller closes season with a flourish
January 12
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills only hope there are many more weekends like the ones C.J. Spiller enjoyed the last half of the season. He ran free and easy, slashing off tackle, sprinting past slower defenders and even lowering the boom at times over larger ones. Spiller reminded a lot of people of his enormous gifts and promise. The Bills have said again and again the past two years that he can be one of the NFL's best running backs. He has Chris Johnson's size and Reggie Bush's speed, and there's no reason he can't be the kind of impact player that scores touchdowns and wins games. Asked if his play in place of the injured Fred Jackson was surprising, Spiller nonchalantly said: "I think the coaches"
Bills hire UB's Inge
January 11
Buffalo News
 
"University at Buffalo defensive coordinator William Inge has been named assistant defensive line coach with the Buffalo Bills. Inge has spent the past two seasons as the UB's defensive coordinator/linebackers coach. Prior to joining the UB, Inge coached linebackers for two seasons at the University of Cincinnati where he helped the school win back-to-back Big East titles in 2008 and 2009."
Surgery puts Bills' Troup on wait list
January 11
Buffalo News
 
"It's going to be a long winter for Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Torell Troup. He's a weight-room fanatic, but because of back surgery last month he can't touch a weight until spring. "I like to work out, so 12 weeks is a long time," Troup said last week as the Bills packed up for the offseason. "I think last year I only took off two weeks before I got to work." While he doesn't like the layoff, Troup is optimistic about his long-term prognosis. He had surgery Dec. 16 to repair a small spinal fracture in his lower back and to clean up a disk problem in the same area. That's a big deal for a 335-pound NFL defensive tackle."
Whitner: Gailey routinely assigned blame
January 10
Buffalo News
 
"Former Bills safety Donte Whitner voiced his displeasure once again with his former team and coach Chan Gailey. Whitner, pictured above, said playing for San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh is a welcome change after playing for Gailey last year. Gailey, he said, routinely assigned blame to the Bills during their 4-12 season. Jets coach Rex Ryan, Whitner said, "will never throw his players under the bus, and he puts all the pressure on himself. Coach Harbaugh does the same thing.""
Time to stop pretending, Buffalo's still a hard sell
January 10
Buffalo News
 columnist Bucky Gleason
"Buddy Nix initially tried dancing around the question during his post-mortem Monday after he was asked if his organization had a recruiting problem. The Bills' general manager said all the right things about how incoming players, once they get a taste of Buffalo, want to stick around. Right when it sounded as if he would get on a roll and position himself for a new gig with the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, he stopped short. He mentioned the usual shortcomings before eventually reaching the truth. "A small market and everybody thinks about the weather when they think about Buffalo," Nix said, "but once we get them here, well, let me answer your question. Yeah, it probably"
Bills expect to make a leap forward in '12
January 10
Buffalo News
 
"Buddy Nix thinks the Buffalo Bills are a few good offseason moves away from having a playoff-caliber roster. "My expectations are that we'll take a big step," the Bills' general manager said Monday. "If we get these guys back, which we think we will, that are injured, and we add some to this mix, that we should take a big step next year." The other highlights of Nix's news conference in the wake of the Bills' 6-10 season were: - He wants receiver Stevie Johnson back and talks like it's going to happen."
Giants lead charge of ex-Bills coaches in playoffs
January 9
Buffalo News
 
"After a dozen years, Buffalo fans are accustomed to the grim January ritual. Another season has concluded without the Bills reaching the playoffs. You sit back, grit your teeth, and watch Ralph Wilson's former employees shine in the NFL postseason. It was a veritable showcase of former Bills coaches on the opening weekend. Gregg Williams had a big day as New Orleans' defensive coordinator as the Saints beat the Lions on Saturday (with Jabari Greer picking off two passes). Wade Phillips, who has recovered nicely from gall bladder surgery, led Houston's dominant defense against the Bengals."
Johnson's status is Bills' top offseason topic
January 8
Buffalo News
 columnist Larry Felser
"For all but the NFL playoff teams, the fields are now barren and the only song to be sung is "Give us some men, some stout-hearted men." Basically, that's the name of the game from now until after the draft, because stoking up on talent is essential for scouts who wish to keep their jobs. Legendary player appraisers such as Bill Polian of Indianapolis and Jerry Angelo of the Chicago Bears already lost theirs. Meanwhile, A.J. Smith of San Diego and Andy Reid, who ran the entire 2011 talent and coaching circus for Philadelphia and not very well, barely fit into another working year. That's life in the NFL. It happens every year. What happens in Buffalo, at least since the postseason of 2000,"
Bills' QBs coach Cortez leaving
January 8
Buffalo News
 
"The Buffalo Bills are searching for a new quarterbacks coach. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday announced the hiring of Bills QB coach George Cortez as their new head coach and director of football operations. Cortez, 60, served on Chan Gailey's staff the last two seasons and has extensive CFL experience, most recently as offensive coordinator and associate head coach of Calgary from 2007-09. Cortez has been a part of four Grey Cup-winning organizations."
Reed is Hall finalist again
January 8
Buffalo News
 
"Buffalo Bills great Andre Reed made the list of 15 modern-era finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a sixth straight year on Saturday. Reed, the Bills' all-time greatest receiver, advanced in voting from 15 down to the final 10 during the selection meeting the past two years. He was eliminated both years in the cutdown from 10 to five finalists. The selection meeting for the Hall's Class of 2012 will take place in Indianapolis on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl. The 15 modern-era finalists will be joined by two seniors candidates (Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel) in consideration for induction. A maximum of five modern-era candidates can be elected. Reed is one"
Peaks and valleys
January 8
Buffalo News
 
"Progress came slowly for the Buffalo Bills in 2011. They won two more games than the year before. Their offense improved from 25th to 14th in yards gained. Their first three home wins -- over Oakland, New England and Philadelphia -- each were more exciting than any Bills games since the 2003 opener. They also lost seven straight games. They saw their rebuilt defense actually get worse -- dropping from 24th to 26th in yards allowed and yielding 27.1 points, second worst in team history. They finished last again in the AFC East. Here's a capsule review of the 6-10 campaign: Top 3 Developments 1. Running back duo was great. In Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, the Bills have what might be the"
Jackson no stranger to adversity
January 7
Buffalo News
 
"Fred Jackson's NFL career has always been about clearing hurdles and this offseason is no different. The Buffalo Bills' veteran running back is coming off a season-ending fractured fibula injury that limited him to 10 games, which came at a time when he was trying to renegotiate his contract. There's also the challenge of fighting off C.J. Spiller, who proved his worth in Jackson's absence. Overcoming adversity is old hat for Jackson, a one-time nondescript high school backup tailback who clawed his way into the league and became an MVP candidate. Time to get back to work. "It's not the way I wanted this season to end and I felt like there were a lot more plays for me to make and a lot"
Dareus ready to tackle any role
January 6
Buffalo News
 
"As Marcell Dareus heads toward his first NFL offseason, he was asked what he needs to work on to become more dominant. How can he blossom into a premier run stuffer, a double-digit-a-season sack contributor with annual appearances in the Pro Bowl? Dareus chuckled loudly: "You think I can make the Pro Bowl every year? A run stuffer with double digit sacks? Man, you have high expectations." No one expects Dareus to be Bruce Smith and Warren Sapp rolled into one but, yes, there are high hopes for the No. 3 pick overall of last year's draft. Even the 6-foot-3, 330-pounder has a high opinion of himself. He did not hesitate at the end of the season when asked to rank his play. "On a scale from"
Time right for firing fiery Polian
January 5
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"A month ago, I would have bet the other way. There's no way I could have imagined that Bill Polian would be on the street today, and that his former Bills protege, A.J. Smith, would still be on the job in San Diego. Good thing I'm not a betting man. Colts owner Jim Irsay shocked the NFL on Monday by firing Bill and Chris Polian, his vice chairman and general manager. A day later, Chargers owner Dean Spanos bucked public opinion by retaining Smith as GM and keeping embattled coach Norv Turner on board as well. But once I had a few days to mull it over, Polian's firing began to make sense. We lived through this in Buffalo, remember. Early in 1993, a few days after the Bills' third Super"
Gailey says Bills need 'to finish'
January 5
Buffalo News
 
"Chan Gailey closed out his 17th season as an NFL coach Sunday when his Buffalo Bills lost what was essentially an inconsequential game in New England. Though he has seen it all in professional football -- Gailey was once fired by Dallas after two seasons despite leading the Cowboys to a pair of postseason berths -- he has never faced the kind of circumstances he does with the Bills. Gailey has experienced back-to-back sub-.500 seasons for the first time in his NFL career and only for the second time since he began coaching at Florida as a graduate assistant in 1974. The last time that happened was in 1981 and '82, when he was a defensive assistant at Air Force. For the Bills, who haven't"
Fitz needs to cut down on the picks
January 4
Buffalo News
 
"Too many interceptions marred an otherwise productive season for Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2011. Fitzpatrick ranked sixth among all NFL quarterbacks in completions, ninth in completion percentage, 11th in passing yards and 10th in touchdown passes. His yardage total of 3,832 was third best in Bills history. All of that would have made him a sure-fire Pro Bowler if it were not for the fact he led all NFL quarterbacks in interceptions with 23."
Bell, Chandler injuries aren't too serious
January 3
Buffalo News
 
"There was some good news on the Buffalo Bills' medical front out of One Bills Drive as the players cleaned out their lockers on Monday. Neither offensive tackle Demetrius Bell or tight end Scott Chandler have significant injuries. Bell said the knee injury he suffered against Denver was not as serious as feared, and he will be healthy heading into free agency. Bell suffered a torn meniscus (cartilage) and had surgery last Wednesday to repair it. He said he should be close to fully recovered in two or three weeks. Chandler, meanwhile, went out in the second quarter of Sunday's loss at New England with a knee injury. Both he and coach Chan Gailey said it will not require surgery. Chandler"
Wannstedt takes over the Bills' defense
January 3
Buffalo News
 
"Chan Gailey didn't wrestle long with the idea of retaining embattled defensive coordinator George Edwards and took even less time naming his successor. Edwards was fired Monday afternoon by the Buffalo Bills coach, who cited a lack of production by the players under Edwards' control. Less than an hour later Gailey offered the position to assistant head coach Dave Wannstedt, who accepted the job immediately. "We're in the production business, that's the bottom line," Gailey said. "We need to get better production. George is an extremely smart guy but it's not all him, as it never is. We lost some good players and that's tough on anybody. But when you think you need to head in a different"
Fitz campaigns for Johnson to return
January 3
Buffalo News
 
"Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made an impassioned plea Monday to have receiver Stevie Johnson back next season. Coach Chan Gailey also said he wants Johnson back — but he was far less definitive on the matter. "If you look at what Steve has done with the two 1,000-yard seasons in a row, it's really the first two years Steve has played," Fitzpatrick said. "I feel like a lot of what I've done and a lot of the success I've had since I've been here has been because of him. And the success that he's had, a lot of it's been because of me. We have that relationship. "I don't know what's going to happen and obviously I'm not a decision maker. I'm not going to be involved in that"
Why so serious? Because Stevie is so childish
January 2
Buffalo News
 columnist Jerry Sullivan
"Today is "locker cleanout day" at One Bills Drive. Here's hoping that Stevie Johnson spends as much time clearing out his locker as he does dreaming up his touchdown celebrations. Front office types should show up in the locker room with empty cardboard boxes, in case Johnson needs help gathering all his things. They could hand him a bag lunch and a bus ticket, in honor of former coach Gregg Williams, and form a reception line as he leaves the premises. Forever. That's it. I'm done with the guy. OK, I gave Johnson a pass after the Jets debacle (which he probably dropped). I said the Bills should try to sign him to a contract extension, because he was their best receiver and they need to"
Heard has sound performance in Bills' loss
January 2
Buffalo News
 
"As a few reporters walked by Kellen Heard, the Buffalo Bills' defensive tackle asked to see some statistics and wondered why no one wanted to interview him. He certainly had something to talk about after recording two of the Bills four sacks on the day -- the first of his career -- while adding a fumble recovery that was also a career first. "It was bittersweet because I got two sacks but we lost," said Heard following the Bills 49-21 loss to New England on Sunday. "I don't like blowing leads because it's mental and a big psychological block you have to get passed. I want to win. It's frustrating. It's nice to get the sacks because it was the Patriots but I wanted to go to the playoffs. I"
After benching, Johnson sorry his antics hurt team
January 2
Buffalo News
 
"If Stevie Johnson played his final game with the Buffalo Bills, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Johnson's end-zone frolicking got him in trouble once again, only this time it earned him a sideline view of the Bills' 49-21 loss to the New England Patriots. After scoring on an 18-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick, Johnson lifted his jersey to display a T-shirt that read "Happy New Year." He was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsman-like conduct penalty. When Johnson returned to the Bills' sideline, coach Chan Gailey told him he was out for the game. "I didn't know it was going to draw a penalty," Johnson said. "At the end of the day what I did is what I did. I was trying to bring it in"
Bills flame out in finale in New England
January 2
Buffalo News
 
"Start fast, flame out. The Buffalo Bills' season finale in New England went much like their season overall. They jumped out to a 21-0 lead, lost a couple of key players and staggered to the finish, falling, 49-21, to the mighty Patriots. "It definitely was symbolic of how this season went," linebacker Nick Barnett said. "We started out fast and we shot ourselves in the foot late." The Bills closed the season 6-10, last in the AFC East for the fourth straight season. "Starting 5-2 is great, but winning one of our last nine is not good football," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. "There are a lot of things that we need to correct." Just like the last season in which the Bills won the first"