Gameday Grades: The passing game couldn't complete one pass downfield while the running game did well giving them mix grades. The defense struggled early but really played well in the second half to bring their grades up. The coaching staff was the huge failure of the day and you don't need to read our grades to know what they got. Gameday Grades.
Report: Jauron Signed Extension: It appears it will cost Ralph Wilson a lot of money if he decides to fire Dick Jauron. League sources confirmed to NFL Network's Adam Schefter that Jauron did indeed sign the much talked about contract extension that would keep him under contract through 2011. It would be hard to think the penny pinching Wilson will eat that deal. The report says their is language which would take the Bills off of the hook for most of the money if Jauron found another coaching job.
Jauron Takes Blame: Dick Jauron said in his post game press conference that he made the play action pass call that turned into the winning defensive score for the Jets. He said he called the play which is unusual since Turk Schonert usually calls the plays. So Jauron is either covering for Schonert or doesn't have the confidence in him to make the call. Jauron called the locker room dismal after the loss and the players were openly questioning the play calling by the coaching staff.
Bills Cough Up Another Game 31-27: Shaun Ellis returned a J.P. Losman fumble 11 yards for a touchdown with less than two minutes to go to give the Bills another heartbreaking defeat 31-27 in the Meadowlands. The Jets gave up a season high 187 yards rushing and Marshawn Lynch had 127 of them and was carving up the middle of the Jets defense. The Bills had a 2nd and 5 on the fateful play all they had to do was keep feeding Lynch the football. They went to the air and the Bills lost the game. Losman threw two picks to go along with that fumble all in the final two minutes of the game. Losman ran and through for touchdowns in the second quarter as the Bills came back from an early deficit. Fred Jackson also scored for the Bills. Game Review.
Hardy Hurt: James Hardy suffered a left knee injury on the Bills opening possession. The cart came out almost immediately and he was carted off as the injury looked serious. Terrence McGee left the game with spasms in the first half but returned in the second half and picked off a pass. Langston Walker got shaken up and missed a couple of plays but returned. Injury Page.
Inactives: Since Aaron Schobel went on injured reserve, the Bills only have two inactives because of injuries. Jabari Greer and Dustin Fox are both out because of their injuries. Trent Edwards is basically out as he has been designated the emergency third quarterback and won't play. Since the Bills did not fill Schobel's roster spot they only have six players inactive along with Edwards being the 3rd QB. The healthy inactive are: Xavier Omon, Jason Whittle, Demetrius Bell, and Jonathan Stupar.
Weather Not A Factor: December in New Jersey can get you some of the same issues that happen in Buffalo this time of year. Not today though as it is a nice day for Football. Temperatures will warm up to 45° at kickoff under partly cloudy skies with virtually no chance at rain. The winds that are usually prevalent at the Meadowlands won't be too bad. They will be out of the south at 11mph.
Saturday December 13, 2008
Saturday Commentary: Who Will Be The Scapegoat? Most of the talk surrounding the Bills has been the future of Dick Jauron recently. It will be interesting to see if he survives the season. The Bills could very easily lose their remaining three games and finish 6-10. Even if they pull out one game they will finish with their third straight 7-9 record under Jauron. Could he possibly survive such an average season for the third year in a row? He said it himself before the season that this team needed to make the playoffs. Russ Brandon said the losing is unacceptable. So Jauron is a goner right? Don't start the coaching search just yet. The only one who will decide whether or not Jauron returns is Ralph Wilson. His comments following the loss in Toronto seemed to lean towards the coach returning. He said the talent is the problem not the coaching. He actually hinted the blame belongs to Tom Donahoe! If Jauron has the mysterious new contract it is almost certain he will return. Wilson will not pay off a new deal without him coaching at all. If he doesn't, then there is a better chance he'll be gone but nothing is definite. Wilson really seems to like Jauron and loathes coaching searches. He is likely to keep him either way. One thing is for sure somebody must go. Turk Schonert is definitely a possibility especially if this team continues to be allergic to the end zone. Other possibilities include Tom Modrak as the Bills have whiffed on more first round picks than I would against a major league pitcher. John Guy, the director of pro player personnel, is also a possible scapegoat as the free agents signed over the past few years haven't made a difference.
Friday December 12, 2008
Greer Out; Edwards Doubtful: Trent Edwards did not practice for a third day today and he is listd as doubtful for this week's game and will likely dress as the emergency QB at best. Dick Jauron said his chances aren't good at seeing the field. Jabari Greer has been ruled out and Dustin Fox is questionable. Everyone else is expected to be ready for the game. Injury Page.
Thursday December 11, 2008
Schobel On IR: The Bills made it official by placing Aaron Schobel on injured reserve. His foot wasn't getting any better and Dick Jauron said yesterday there was a good chance he would shut it down. They have yet to fill the roster spot. He becomes the ninth player and seventh defensive regular on the injured reserve list.
Edwards Still Out: Trent Edwards did some light tossing on the sidelines today and is feeling better but not well enough to practice. That means it is almost a certainty that J.P. Losman will start at quarterback for the Bills on Sunday. Josh Reed, Donte Whitner, and Marcus Stroud all returned to practice while Jabari Greer remains limited. Injury Page.
Bills Face Jets: The Bills began preparing for the Jets game yesterday. New York is battling to remain on top of the division standings after losing their last two games. The Bills are playing out the string and will battle to play for pride. Complete Preview.
Wednesday December 10, 2008
Lynch Speaks: For only the second time this year Marshawn Lynch spoke to the media. He took all the blame for the team's running woes saying he's the feature back and hasn't played like one. He feels on film he saw instances where he could have been more patient or made better decisions. He refused to put in on the offensive line saying everyone works hard. His teammates responded to Lynch's comments saying it isn't all his fault it is the entire offense that is struggling but they like the fact he would take the blame even though he doesn't deserve it.
Schobel May Be Headed To IR: In his media day press conference Dick Jauron admitted the team may be close to shutting down Aaron Schobel for the season. He remains sidelined with his torn ligament in his toe. He practiced last week but it didn't respond like they thought he would and he wasn't even at practice today. Jauron said a decision may be coming soon with very few options available.
Edwards Still Sidelined: Trent Edwards is still not practicing as he watched today's workout from the sidelines. Also not practicing today were Aaron Schobel, Dustin Fox, Josh Reed, Marcus Stroud, and Donte Whitner. On a positive note, Jabari Greer returned to practice on a limited basis. Injury Page.
Bills Fill Practice Squad Spot: The Bills filled their open spot on the practice squad by signing LB Vince Hall. He fills the spot opened up by the promotion of Corey Mace to the active roster last week. He was an undrafted free agent from Virgina Tech and was orignally signed by St. Louis. A torn hamstring cost him a chance of making the team.
Future Of The Bills: Lots of people have talked about the future of this team and where it will end up. It's time to talk about the future of this team on the field. It is time for a change and until change comes many fans will not have a lot of team spirit this holiday season. Tony Bogyo looks at where the team is and where it should go. Complete Story.
Tuesday December 9, 2008
Walker Ok: Dick Jauron did not give much of an injury update during his brief session with the media yesterday. He did confirm that Langston Walker is ok after suffering what appeared to be a lower leg injury on the team's last offensive play. He did walk off the field under his own power and told the media after the game he was ok. Dustin Fox suffered the only big injury in the game as he hurt his groin. There were no updates on the other injured players. Injury Page.
Monday December 8, 2008
Jauron On Hot Seat? There were conflicting comments to read into if you want to speculate if Dick Jauron's job is in serious jeopardy. COO Russ Brandon said the play is unacceptable and that everyone should be under fire in the organization. Ralph Wilson seemed to put the blame on the players saying the coaches don't kick and tackle and they just don't have enough talent to win. Does that mean he'll open up his wallet and get better players next year? Don't count on it.
Mathematically Alive: I wonder if the players will give us the old line that the team is still in this thing. The Bills have not been mathematically eliminated but that is just a technicality. They can't get a wild card but can get a division title if they win out, New England loses out, The Jets and Miami lose their next two and then tie each other on the final day of the season. See, they still have a chance. Oh wait even if all those things happened they would still have to win out and that won't happen.
No Home Field Advantage: The players all said it didn't feel like a home game in the Rogers Centre as the fans weren't rowdy like they are back in Buffalo. Of course it didn't help that the Bills gave them nothing to cheer about. Ronnie Brown said the Dolphins got a boost when they came out and saw many fans wearing their colors. It may have been an even split of Bills and Dolhpins fans but the majority of the people there seemed to be just football fans, not fans of either team.
Loss For Words: In the post game press conferences the team was as down as it has been all year according to reprots. The players were at a loss for words as they genuinely have no idea what they need to do to get on track. Even the even-keeled Dick Jauron was a bit testy in his post game comments especially when being questioned again about deferring the kickoff to the second half.
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