Bills Fantasy News

Sunday, February 5, 2012, 3:58pm

In an interview Friday with NBC Sports, Bills WR David Nelson confirmed long-rumored suspicions that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered cracked ribs in the Redskins game in Toronto on a hit by former Bills linebacker London Fletcher in the first half.

"A lot of people don't know, but Fitz, during the Washington game, actually cracked a couple of ribs," Nelson said. "So after that, he was playing hurt."

Fitzpatrick can insist his performance wasn't affected by the injury, but the numbers suggest otherwise. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions before the injury. He had 11 TD passes and 16 picks after Fletcher drilled him. Sources say he cracked four ribs and injured his sternum.

Saturday, January 28, 2012, 1:05pm

Steve Johnson's agent, C.J. Laboy, says there has been no progress made in contract talks with the Buffalo Bills

"We did speak to them following Buddy’s press conference, but we have had no contract talks," Laboy told WGR on Friday.

Now, this isn't supposed to ignite critical concerns by the fan base. With free agency about a month-and-a-half away, things usually start to heat up right around the time of the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Laboy said as much when asked if Johnson would just test the market with it being so close.

"Far too early for that," Laboy said. "The Bills have options. They can use the franchise tag on him, they can negotiate an extension, or they can let him walk. It is no secret where Stevie’s heart is, but at the same time he has to do what is best for his family."

Monday, January 16, 2012, 1:47pm

Bills HC Chan Gailey on RBs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller: It’s a great situation we have at running back. We have two very good players. Hopefully we’ll end up with a two-headed monster which will be pretty strong.

Saturday, January 14, 2012, 3:29pm

All year, though he’ll never say anything about it, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has fought off a painful toe injury. It has seriously limited him. Yet this week, he is off the injury report. And that 53-yard screen pass he caught against the Bills had him looking as fast as he has all year.

I said that to him. Basically I told him, you look healthy. Is that right or am I crazy?

“You’re about right,” he told me with a nod. “I‘m all right. I feel good.”

That’s about all you get. But for the Law Firm, that’s a lot. He’s healthy again. That’s why, even if Ridley gets carries, the secure, non-fumbling Green-Ellis may be the safer option. He may be primed for a big game.

Jaguars hire Mike Mularkey as head coach
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 1:38pm

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has hired Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as his new head coach, the team announced.

Mularkey, who went 14-18 as coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2004-05, is Khan's first major hiring as new owner.

The 50-year-old has spent the last four seasons with the Falcons, overseeing the development of quarterback Matt Ryan since the Falcons drafted Ryan third overall in 2008, FOX Sports reported.

Mularkey actually interviewed for the position Tuesday, according to the report, after Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Giants on Sunday in a 24-2 loss in the wild-card round.

His first priorities will be assembling a staff and meeting with quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who just finished his rookie season.

Monday, January 9, 2012, 2:35pm

Bills GM Buddy Nix on RB C.J. Spiller: "Everyone's been surprised, I guess, about C.J. [Spiller] except us. We always knew what we had. The opportunity is what he needed and he got it when Fred got hurt. I'm one of the few who thinks C.J. can run inside and be a workhorse kind of back. I think he can run inside the tackles. He's stronger than you think he is."

Monday, January 9, 2012, 2:34pm

Bills GM Buddy Nix on Steve Johnson: "He's not a criminal. He made a mistake. He cost us and he paid the price. We do want him back."

On Johnson's penalties: "We're not happy about that. The things he does at practice. You know, he practices hurt. I think he's a team guy. Yeah we want him back."

Monday, January 9, 2012, 2:34pm

Bills GM Buddy Nix on Fred Jackson: "We want to extend Fred. I'd like for Fred to finish his career as a Bill. We're gonna try and get something done.

No progress on new deal for F-Jax
Thursday, January 5, 2012, 12:56pm

It's been a fairly public request by Bills RB Fred Jackson on his wishes to have a new contract in place before next season. A big part of the offense, and perhaps the most valuable player on the team, Jackson told Howard Simon and Jeremy White that there haven't been any negotiations between the two sides just yet.

"Well, as of right now, nothing," Jackson said. "But I have all the confidence in the world in Buddy [Nix] and I look forward to getting something done sooner rather than later. Hopefully we can get something moving here soon."

Still with a year left on his current contract, the Bills' top running back reiterated that he wanted to get a new deal done that would keep him with the franchise for the rest of his career.

"Without a doubt. I love all the guys in the locker room, the front office is great. The people in Buffalo are awesome. This is where I started my career and this is where I want to end it."

If not for an injury that cut his season six games short, Jackson would be coming off his most-productive season as a professional football player. He had 934 yards, 39 receptions for 442 yards and six touchdowns in just ten games this season. There was even a time during the year when he was on the short-list for MVP candidates in the NFL.

Stevan Ridley impresses in his rookie season
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 2:01pm

It would be easy to overlook the contributions of Stevan Ridley this season in an offense featuring names like Brady, Gronkowski and Welker. After all, 53 running backs had more rushes than Ridley’s 87 carries, and Ridley only scored one touchdown on the season. However, evidence is mounting that the Patriots found a pretty solid player with the 73rd overall pick in last year’s draft. Ridley’s 5.1 yards per rush is 10th among the 56 running backs with at least 85 rushes. Ridley has been among the league’s most powerful runners, averaging 2.6 yards after contact per rush. That trails only Ben Tate, Isaac Redman and Donald Brown among running backs with at least 85 carries. However, Ridley was far more than just a niche power rusher, averaging a 20+ yard run once every 17.4 carries. That was the seventh-best average among backs with at least 85 carries, trailing Darren Sproles, DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden, C.J. Spiller, Matt Forte and Fred Jackson.