Time to clear out the notebook after giving the DVR a serious workout on Saturday’s Bills-Bears game.
• I’m one of those radicals who thought the Bills should’ve canned Dick Jauron and slid special teams coach Bobby April into the top slot. April’s units are always among the league’s best and more important, he seems in command and forward-thinking. But this year, we’ll find out what he’s really made of. The special teams were dreadful on Saturday, at least early on when those who are likely to play were in the game. The Bears came clean on the Bills first punt and should have blocked it. Later, the same unit had a high snap that could have been deadly in a regular-season game. Add in Dominic Rhodes’ muffed punt — which gave the Bears the ball in Buffalo territory — and you’ve got plenty to work on this week in practice. And with the Bills proving in the past their margin of error is already slim, a few special teams goofs could prove too much for Buffalo to overcome.
• Let’s hope Marcus Stroud has another gear he’s waiting to kick into for opening day. Stroud played just two series, hardly crossing the line of scrimmage — even on pass plays. Granted, he’s often the guy opponents choose to double, but he showed absolutely nothing that would imply he’s ready to make an impact this season. Course, opening day probably isn’t the day we should worry about — it was the only time last year when he looked like a Pro Bowler.
• It’s great to see Brad Butler hold his blocks, but if the Bills’ new right tackle takes even one personal foul penalty for hitting a linebacker or safety who’s simply watching the end of a tackle, his chippy attitude will have proven counter-productive.
• The coaching staff must see a flaw that I’m missing in Alvin Bowen. The second-year guy sat out all last season after a devastating knee injury, but has shown size and speed in time with the team’s second linebacking corps. The Bills pull him out on third downs, though, keeping Marcus Buggs and rookie Nic Harris on the field. I realize it’s a positional thing, but with his range, I’m surprised they haven’t found a way to keep him in the action.
• The no-huddle is great, but the Bills had a tendency to put themselves in bad personnel matchups because of it on Saturday. For example, Roscoe Parrish was in the slot on a third down that the Bills converted, then stayed there in the no-huddle for a first-down running play. Watching the 160-pound receiver blocking a 225-pound safety wasn’t pretty.
• As for the rest of the division, sorry if I’m not sold on one-hit wonder Miami. The Dolphins showed little in their preseason opener, and you get the feeling teams will be ready this year, no matter what trick offense the Fins devise.
Our Maxim intern, Tiger and more
Do we know how to pick ‘em here or what? Former Niagara Gazette sports intern Kelly Lovering, who penned a recreation column called “Give it a Go,” made the Buffalo Jills this year and was featured in a photo spread at Maxim.com. It’s not surprising — she was always at least one of the three best-looking members of the sports department, battling Nate Beutel and Bill McGrath for the crown. ... Freddy Garcia got a start in the bigs last night with the White Sox, which is hilarious considering he wasn’t good enough to stick with a really bad team in Buffalo earlier this summer. While with the Bisons, Garcia lost both of his two starts and posted an 8.18 earned run average. ... Plenty has been made about Tiger’s tanking at the PGA, but it’s all overblown. Woods got himself in decent position most of the day, but he uncharacteristically read putts too high all day long. Think he’ll be motivated to play the Masters next spring?
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
Bills
TIM'S TAKE: Bills special teams haven't been special
COMMENTARY
- Bills
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Bills fire defensive coordinator George Edwards
Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey says defensive coordinator George Edwards has been fired and replaced by Dave Wannstedt.
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Brady leads Pats to top seed, beats Bills 49-21
Falling behind means nothing to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. And because no deficit seems too big for them, the Patriots own home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
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Bush rushes for 203 yards in Dolphins’ victory
Reggie Bush spent his first five NFL seasons in New Orleans having difficulty breaking 100 yards and the perception that he was a part-time player.
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Bills' playoff hopes evaporate
The San Diego Chargers kept their faint playoff hopes alive while snuffing out what little chance the Buffalo Bills had of reaching the postseason.
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Tennessee Waltz
A rejuvenated Chris Johnson is giving the Tennessee Titans’ playoff hopes some legs.
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No cigar for Bills
Mark Sanchez threw a career-high four touchdown passes, including the winning 16-yard score to Santonio Holmes with just over a minute remaining, as the New York Jets kept pace in the AFC playoff race with a 28-24 comeback victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
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Kick'em when they're down
A gimpy Fred Jackson said he’ll be fine. As for the rest of the Buffalo Bills, the outlook is more bleak.
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All roads lead to Romo
Facing the best team he’ll see for a month, Tony Romo guided touchdown drives on his first four series, and Terence Newman returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown, sending the Dallas Cowboys cruising past the Buffalo Bills 44-7 on Sunday.
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Jets soar over the Bills
The New York Jets’ back-to-basics formula — smashmouth defense and running the ball — has them firmly back in the AFC East playoff race at midseason.
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Bills finally win in Toronto
Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly made his expensive new contract pay off, and the Buffalo Bills finally gave their adopted — and sometimes indifferent — fans north of the border a little to cheer about.
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