Archives for August 24, 2008

‘He’s been picking the brain of Lee Evans, the Bills’ speedy veteran receiver. He’s even gone to the players in the secondary, like new best friend Donte Whitner, to find out how to beat coverages. “I came in with the mind frame that you have to learn from people who have been at this level,” Hardy said.’

‘”They have a very effective offense,” said Bills coach Dick Jauron. “They’re very comfortable in their scheme, they’ve run it for a long time, and they put a lot of pressure on you. They put themselves in the right play. . . . It’ll be a good test for our defense in terms of movement and disguise [by the Bills before the snap].”‘

‘That is why J. P.’s good attitude, despite the heartache of losing his job and having to wait a year for his next opportunity to rebuild his career, is so important for the Bills.’

‘Safety Bob Sanders, the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, sat out all of training camp due to offseason shoulder surgery. But he returned to practice this week and is scheduled to start. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, who missed the final eight games of last season after having surgery on his left foot, also is back after missing all of the team’s training camp practices. Both may exit the game earlier than the rest of the Colts’ starters.’

‘The Seahawks will be without their most reliable wide receiver (Bobby Engram) and probably without their most talented wide receiver (Deion Branch). They’ll be breaking in a new feature running back (Julius Jones replaces the departed Shaun Alexander). Engram, coming off his best season (94 catches for 1,147 yards and 6 TDs) has a broken shoulder. Branch is coming off major knee surgery.’

‘”Yeah, I’ll be getting more quality reps, and it’s always good to get those reps, but when you’re out there you have to make the most of it,” said receiver Justin Jenkins. “I’m going to do what I can, if it’s J.P. (Losman) or whoever’s in there. I just have to give the quarterback a good look, and if I’m open, hopefully they hit me with it. I’m just going to make the most of my opportunities.”‘