Archives for November 2008

‘The Bills have slipped to 16th in yards allowed, 19th in points, 20th in rush defense, 16th in pass defense and are 24th in sacks per pass attempt. Outside of the sack number, which has been lousy all year, the Bills were much higher in the rankings until the past three games, in which they gave up 13 big runs and 10 big passes in addition to 80 points against New England, Cleveland and Kansas City.’

‘It is not going to happen, of course. The stadium is not designed for open-air events when the thermometers plunge.’

‘”I don’t have any idea what we’ll get because it can change in a matter of minutes,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “We’ve played games where literally from the start of the game to 10 minutes later it’s totally different. It just changes. It’s past Thanksgiving, so you can get about anything.”‘

‘”I met with him probably a handful of times,” Edwards said. “I would see him on campus or at the facility on campus. I sat down in his office maybe once or twice, and I’d pick his brain a little bit.”‘

49ers to face Bills, cold weather (San Francisco Chronicle)

Coach wants 49ers to follow his keys to success (San Jose Mercury News)

Buffalo QB remembers Walsh’s advice (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

49ers’ Davis waits for more opportunities (Sacramento Bee)

Team weighs options for returner (Sacramento Bee)

49ers QB earns Turkey of Year honors (Oakland Tribune)

Thanksgiving Day Plans, and More (49ers.com)

Nothing Deep, Nothing Cheap (49ers.com)

Clements’ Coverage: Buffalo (49ers.com)

Points of the Game: Buffalo (49ers.com)

‘But again, it isn’t about the stats. Lynch has become better at blitz pickups, and is more than willing to take on the bigger defensive ends and linebackers he’s sometimes matched up against. He gives full effort, all the time, and yet has an infectious enthusiasm that makes him a leader by example.’

‘The foundation of my professional career started in Buffalo, and it was an excellent opportunity for me. It might have been one of the best things that happened to me in my career, in terms of starting off with a great organization with a lot of tradition. The fans there were very supportive and the atmosphere is like a collegiate atmosphere. They’re die-hard fans when it comes to football. So, like I said, I’m looking forward to going back and playing them.’

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‘Coach Dick Jauron said Ellison was feeling better, which was good news for an already depleted linebacking corps that could be without top reserve Teddy Lehman, who missed a second straight day of practice with a hamstring injury.’

‘Edwards’ big day also needs a healthy dose of perspective. He read the defense more efficiently, spread his throws around to seven different receivers and made bold choices when necessary, particularly on the two touchdown runs. He did not absorb a sack, throw an interception, or lose a fumble against a defense that came in ranked second in the NFL in takeaways.’

‘Hill’s Midwest roots also might give him an advantage in bad weather games over his Los Gatos-raised counterpart, Trent Edwards. The former Stanford quarterback recalled a particularly rainy game in Corvallis, Ore., in 2003, but he said he mostly escaped adverse conditions playing in the Pacific-10 Conference.’

‘”We have no choice,” said Lee Evans. “I think this is really the time where you have to take advantage of all the opportunities that you are given. I think our (offensive) line really knows that.”‘

‘”We’ve matched him up on the top guys and he’s responded well,” Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. “He had a poor performance against Miami [on Oct. 26] but he’s come back strong after that. I thought he was outstanding in New England. He was outstanding against Cleveland. He had another strong game this week.”‘

‘Ellison played against Kansas City but has been bothered by a sore ankle. His potential backup, Teddy Lehman, also did not practice due to a sore hamstring. So the Bills may wind up flexing Bryan Scott to linebacker for at least part of the game if Ellison can’t play.’

‘By the end of the 1962 season, it appeared the Raiders would either relocate, probably to New Orleans, or close down operations. Instead Wayne Valley, the managing partner, convinced his board of directors to give it another year, mainly because the team had received a $400,000 infusion of cash from Ralph Wilson, owner of the Bills, in exchange for 25 percent of the team. Wilson later said, “I knew it was against the constitution, but the league would have folded. I did it for the sake of the league.”‘