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Bills Pull Off The Major Upset On Opening Day
Bills Win: The Bills began with an offensive series that went 3-and-out, then allowed a 4 play, 66-yard scoring drive to find themselves down 7-0 at hostile Soldier Field. The tide changed quickly thanks to two Chicago turnovers which lead directly to 10 Bills points. Corey Graham, filling in for an injured Stephon Gilmore mad a huge interception to setup a 7-yard C.J. Spiller touchdown one play later. The Bills went to the locker room 17-7 at the half. The second half belonged to Chicago and they tied the game at 17 in the third quarter before Dan Carpenter hit a 33-yard field goal to go ahead 20-17. On the final drive of the fourth quarter the Bears drove 61 yards to make a 37-yard tying field goal with seconds left. The drive was aided by several Bills penalties as well as an offensive holding flag on the Bears that was inexplicably picked up. Chicago won the overtime coin toss, elected to receive ball but could only advance to their own 36-yard line. The Bills took possession and took 5 plays to drive to the Chicago 1-yard line, keyed by a 38 yard run by Fred Jackson. 2 plays later Dan Cerpenter booted his third field goal of the game from 27 yards out to win the game. The win marked the first time the Bills have ever won at Soldier field, the only NFL city where they had never won. This was a huge win for a young Bills team who has struggled on the road in recent years. It was also a huge game for EJ Manuel who has been under the microscope for his poor play in the preseason. Hopefully this win will set the tone for the year early and give the Bills the confidence they need to continue their winning ways.
Saturday September 6, 2014
Coach Denies Report of Tension: Head coach Doug Marrone denied a report earlier in the week that he had engaged on a shouting match with Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos, General Manager Dough Whaley and team President Russ Brandon. Jason La Canfora of CBS reported that tension between Marrone and front office officials boiled over on the sideline at practice this week with Marrone reportedly telling Whaley he should go ahead and fire him. Marrone says the incident never happened and said the report was just not true. La Canfora was the only reporter to report the incident.
Pregame Notes: It appears that rookie receiver Sammy Watkins will play tomorrow as he is listed as probable and is dealing with sore ribs. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is more of a question mark as he deals with a sore groin. Despite the Bills being the AFC visiting team to an NFC home opponent, Sunday's television broadcast will be on Fox rather than CBS. Earlier in the week the NFL moved the game so that each network will have 6 games on Sunday. Prior to the move Fox had just two 1pm games while CBS had 6.
Friday September 5, 2014
Bills Daily Headed To Chicago: Bills Daily is on our way to Chicago so there won't be our normal Bills Blitz and gameday grades following the opener. Tony Bogyo will have his usual column about the opener and our gameday grades and Bills Blitz will return next week for the home opener against Miami.
 follow us on twitter for updated throughout the weekend from Chicago!
Thursday September 4, 2014
Kelly Cancer Free: The results of the biopsies taken by Jim Kelly are negative and he is now cancer free. Kelly said, “This is some of the greatest news I’ve ever gotten. It’s been a long road, and I’m still not back to one hundred percent, but I have a lot to be thankful for. I am so thankful for the support and prayers of my family, my friends near and far, and everyone in Western New York and throughout the country through my illness. I also want to thank the medical specialists who have done such amazing work. Most of all, I want to thank God. Without my faith and God’s constant presence, there would be no such thing as ‘Kelly Tough’."
Spikes, Dixon Banged Up In Practice: Two players were limited in practice today after suffering injuries. Brandon Spikes left practice during individual drills after suffering a knee injury. He quickly returned during the team drills. Boobie Dixon did not return after suffering a hamstring injury. Sammy Watkins fully participated for a second straight day and he was joined by Randell Johnson and Stephon Gilmore as full participants. Jonathan Meeks remained limited and Lee Smith remains sidelined. Injury Page.
Bears Preview: Our gameday homepage is back for the 2015 season and it has our first preview of the season on it right now as the Bills get ready to open the season in a tough place to play, Soldier Field in Chicago. The Bills match up fairly well on paper with the Bears but they are a tough team to start the season again and the Bills offense is a work in progress making an upset very tough to come by. Game Preview.
Wednesday September 3, 2014
Watkins Practices Fully: Sammy Watkins practiced fully on Wednesday increasing the likelihood that he will play against Chicago on Sunday although Doug Marrone would not commit yet. Lee Smith was the only player who did not practice today. Stephon Gilmore, Jonathan Meeks, and Randell Johnson were all limited. Gilmore is expected to play. The Bears have three players who were limited in practice and have a backup QB who is out. Injury Report.
Media Day: The team is now in their regular season routine as preparations for the season opener against the Bears begin in earnest today which is also media day as the players meet the media from their own team and the opposition. We will get the first injury report of the week and get a better idea of the availability of Sammy Watkins who returned to the field on Monday but Doug Marrone declined to say how much he actually did. Randell Johnson and Lee Smith were the only two players sidelined on Monday.
Three Bidders Remain: The Associated Press reports that sources tell them there will be at least three final binding bids for the Bills and they will come from the Pegulas, Donald Trump, and the Bon Jovi Toronto group. An earlier report that the Bon Jovi was out of the group appears to not be true. The final binding bids are due on Monday. It now appears like Tom Golisano will not submit a final bid and it is unclear if he ever submitted a peliminary bid or not.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
Bills Fill Out Practice Squad: The Bills filled out their practice squad on Tuesday by adding TE D.J. Tialavea, he was an undrafted free agent who spent time with Jacksonville this summer. The team also announced they reached an injury settlement with Bobby Felder and released him from the reserved/injured list. The team is now in their regular season routine and have Tuesday off before preparations for the season opener against the Bears begin in earnest on Wednesday. Front Office Page.
Monday September 1, 2014
Watkins Practices: The Bills held their first practice of the regular season today and were pretty healthy as Sammy Watkins returned to the field but Doug Marrone declined to say how much he actually did. Chris Williams, Scott Chandler, and Stephon Gilmore all returned to practice. Randell Johnson was doing work on the side with trainers but remained sidelined. Lee Smith is still sidelined with his toe injury. Marrone said Leodis McKelvin is very close to being 100% healthy and will start against Chicago and will likely serve as the primary punt returner. Injury Page.
Bills Add 2 To Practice Squad: The Bills now have 9 players on their practice squad after adding Guard D.J. Morrell and FB Lonnie Pryor to the unit. They have one open space left. The team also released Tony Moeaki from the reserved/injured list after reaching an injury settlement with him. Morrell was signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent this summer before joining the Rams. Pryor was with the Buccaneers last year. Front Office Page.
Players Elect Captains: Six players were elected to be captains by the teammates including two first year Bills. Corey Graham, Brandon Spikes, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Eric Wood, and Fred Jackson are the new captains. Jackson, Kyle, and Wood were captains last season.
Sunday August 31, 2014
Bills Add 7 To Practice Squad: The Bills filled seven of 10 spots on their practice squad today. All seven member were recent cuts by the team led by QB Jeff Tuel who will likely be activated immediately in case of an injury. Also added to the unit were Jimmy Gaines, Deon Broomfield, Caleb Holley, Kenny Ladler, Ike Igbinosun, and Bryan Johnson. T.J. Graham was claimed off of waivers by the Tennessee Titans. Front Office Page.
Bills Get Roster Down: The Bills got the roster down to 53 men while officially adding Kyle Orton and punter Colton Schmidt. The team released Jeff Tuel so it looks like they will be just carrying two quarterbacks to start the season. Schmidt had a net average of 46.1 yards on his preseason punts with the 49ers. He had two stints with the 49ers since signing with them last offseason as an undrafted free agent and had a week with the Browns but never punted in an NFL game. The big name released was not a surprise as T.J. Graham was let go. The Bills reportedly were trying to trade him all offseason. Doug Legursky was released which means Kraig Urbik made the team as a backup interior lineman and the number two center. Also released were Ike Igbinosun, Kenny Ladler, Antoine McClain, Bryan Johnson, Jimmy Gaines, Deon Broomfield, and Caleb Holley. Jordan Gay makes the team as the kickoff specialist and gives them a backup punter. All the draft picks made the team but no undrafted free agents survived the final cuts. The moves leaves the roster at 54 but they have a one week exemption for Nigel Bradham who is suspended for the opener. Front Office Page.
Bills Agree With Orton: The backup QB carousel has landed on a veteran with some real playing experience as the team has reportedly agreed to terms with Kyle Orton on a one year deal with a player option for a second season. He brings some credibility to the backup spot for the first time in a few years and he is a player fans may be calling for to replace EJ Manuel if he continues to struggle into the regular season. Depth Chart.
Bon Jovi Out? The New York Post reports that Jon Bon Jovi has parted ways with his Toronto partners in a bid for the Bills. Final bids are due next week and the report says the group feels they are in better position to get the team without Bon Jovi as the majority owner since he limits how much they can bid. The report also says that the Rogers family is very serious on getting the team. Other reports say it is unlikely Bon Jovi was thrown out but may have left on his own. Morgan Stanley reportedly is trying to find another partner for Bon Jovi. He just wants an NFL team and with another partner I'm sure he would have no problem keeping the team in Western New York he was just with the wrong partners.
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