The Buffalo Bills are at 3-6 before Sunday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers after a home loss to the undefeated Chiefs that left both players and coaches frustrated.
However, with the news on Monday that E.J. Manuel was cleared to return to practice, spirits within the organization and the fan base were up. Manuel was a full participant in practice today, and said that he believed that the team could make a playoff run.
“I think we can as a team,” said Manuel. “We go out here and do what we’re supposed to do week-in and week-out and not look too far in the schedule, if we just take it one week at a time I think we can put something together.”
Head coach Doug Marrone addressed the comments by CEO Russ Brandon regarding Manuel. Brandon said on WGR 550 radio Wednesday morning that “unless he (Manuel) has a setback, he should be ready to go on Sunday”.
“Yes, it is a very fair assessment,” said Marrone. “I just want to make sure that in my mind he is doing all the things that we need to do to win. Then you can say, ‘Hey, go ahead and do it.”
Marrone said the team’s goal is to make the postseason until it is a mathematical impossibility, and that the team has “done a lot of things well”.
“What I spoke to the team about today is, I told them this ‘A lot of time when you are not getting results that you want, even the most confident of coaches and players a lot of time they start question and believing what they can and cannot do’, said Marrone. “What happens a lot of times with people that get themselves in trouble is that they forget what they are doing well and really try to wave a magic wand to make complete changes. That is not where we are at.”
That being said, the Bills have also had a minus-three turnover differential in the past two losses, with the offense turning the ball over six times. A defense that had 15 takeaways in the first seven games of the season has recorded none. Those two factors, combined with a red-zone offense that is ranked 31st in efficiency with a touchdown percentage of only 42%, have put hopes of Buffalo ending their 13-year playoff drought in dire straits.
However, the Washington Redskins also stood at 3-6 last year with a rookie quarterback at the helm and a tremendous running game. The Bills possess both with Manuel and the No. 7 ranked rushing attack in the league.
For Manuel to be successful, he will need rookie receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin to produce. Both left Sunday’s game early, with Woods suffering an ankle injury and Goodwin with a hamstring issue. Marrone addressed how both were dealing with their ailments.
“We are going to see where we are with Woods,” said Marrone. “I do not feel that good about Robert Woods being able to play. Goodwin worked with the trainers today and tomorrow he will be limited. I will have more information about him tomorrow. I think that is a good sign, but again it is a hamstring so you are going to have to wait till he goes 100% on it to know if he will be able to play or not.”
Marrone said that if Woods is unable to play, Goodwin being able to perform would help. If not, Marrone said that Marcus Easley and Chris Hogan could play more outside or inside snaps depending on the gameplan. C.J. Spiller was no longer on the injury report, which Marrone said meant in his mind that Spiller is a “full-g0″.
Marrone also expressed his views on the Richie Incognito controversy, stating that his policy is to “treat people with respect”.
If you look at the definition of hazing, it is obviously abuse, humiliation and we use the words respect and accountability,” said Marrone. “Being accountable for your actions.”
Marrone did not want to make a statement about the validity of the concerns of hazing and concussions right now.
“I would not be able to give an opinion on it till I knew all the facts,” said Marrone. “I just know that you hear things and I think when it comes to you start getting asked questions on it then there is obviously something going on. I think I will wait till afterwards, look at it and see how I can help promote the sport after the season is over.”
Manuel said he believes in his team enough to the point that he doesn’t think coaches should be involved.
“I think we have good guys on our team and we have good guys who are veterans on our team, so I don’t think we really have that problem,” said Manuel. “We’ve had some things where obviously every rookie has gone through. But I think the big thing that coach has talked about is having respect amongst your teammates and I think the veterans all respect us as rookies. Obviously we still have to do things that a normal rookie would do. I think we’ll keep that between the team, just leave it at that, but I think the biggest thing is continuing to have respect amongst yourself and the team.”
Photos by Ed Runyon & Derek Zeller for PPI
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