Archives for January 29, 2009

‘Lynch finished fifth in the AFC with 1,036 yards rushing and ninth with eight touchdowns rushing in 15 games last season. Lynch was named a first alternate when the Pro Bowl selections were made last month, and replaces Johnson, who is unable to play because of an ankle injury.’

‘Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is headed to Hawaii for the 2009 Pro Bowl. The second-year back will be replacing Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, who had to pull out of the game due to a high ankle sprain suffered in the Titans playoff loss to Baltimore on Jan. 12.’

‘Even though Reed expectedly has superior numbers in terms of receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in the postseason, he also bests Carter in average yards per reception, speaking to Reed’s yards after the catch prowess.’

‘Meanwhile, Bills supporters have already asked the questions that Chargers supporters now pose. Is this a wise marketing move by their team, or is ownership sinisterly gauging interest in shifting home latitude a little north? Will they look to hold a regular-season game in, say, the Coliseum, and will it be as blandly stifling as the Bills’ alleged home contest at the Rogers Centre last month? And can San Diego’s citizens do anything to change anything?’

‘Sanders has worked with a 4-3 defensive front throughout his career. He worked under respected defensive coordinator Jim Bates in Miami from 2001 to 2004 (as linebackers coach) and in Green Bay in 2005 (as defensive ends coach).’

‘But leaving Buffalo was inevitable. Gandy and the team never engaged in meaningful talks on a new contract. He also wanted to play left tackle, and that wasn’t going to happen with the Bills because of the development of Jason Peters.’

‘The argument over who is the greatest defensive end can rage forever – is it Smith, is it White, or is it Deacon Jones? – but one thing is almost for certain: Saturday afternoon, Smith is going to join White, Jones, Moon, Shell and Munoz as well as his former Buffalo comrades Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, James Lofton and Marv Levy in the Canton, Ohio shrine.’

‘The numbers are undeniably great, but Kelly said Reed’s career is about much more than numbers. He brought up Reed’s longevity in the league, the toughness he displayed going over the middle to catch passes, his nearly unmatched ability to run after the catch, the seven Pro Bowls he was voted to play in and the fact that he was the go-to receiver on a team that won six AFC East division titles and four AFC championships.’

‘Simply put, he made the Bills’ defense noticeably better.’