Archives for September 11, 2009

‘Sixth-year wide receiver Lee Evans and third-year quarterback Trent Edwards will represent the offense. Seventh-year linebacker Kawika Mitchell and third-year linebacker Paul Posluszny will represent the defense, while the special teams unit will be represented by ninth-year punter Brian Moorman and fourth-year safety George Wilson.’

‘After completing a workout with a third team in the last week, former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan left the Buffalo Bills saying he felt "great" and was ready to join a team and make a contribution immediately.’

‘Fine has been nursing a hamstring injury, while Florence injured his knee in the Bills’ second preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Both players were held out of practice on Friday.’

‘Ten straight years of not making the postseason hasn’t gotten Fox down — in fact, he has a saving account holding travel money for when the Bills make it to another Super Bowl.’

‘But the way I look at it, there’s no better preparation for going up against the likes of Tom Brady and Randy Moss than going head-to-head in practice every day against our own Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.’

‘Jauron says he enjoys coaching Owens rather than coaching against him. “He keeps you up at night, at least he did me as a defensive coach,” he said. “He’s got speed down the field and he’s a competitive guy…Having him with you every day you gain a lot of respect for his work ethic…I’m not sure I’ve seen many players who work as hard. He’s got a presence on the team, anything that has to do with football he’s really into on the field. He’s all business.”‘

‘”You can say the T.O. buzz has worn off,” Evans said, noting that Owens did miss the final four weeks of the preseason nursing a sprained toe that’s now healed. “It has overshadowed him. But it’s bigger than 81. He’ll certainly do some things throughout the season to get it back. And hopefully it ends with a `W,’ because that’s all that really matters.”‘

‘"I always know once we play them it’s got to be your best game of the year," Bills cornerback Terrence McGee said. "They prepare well, they execute well, they bring guys in who do their job and you can’t make a mistake or they’ll capitalize on it. You’ve got to have your best practices throughout the week and definitely your best game as far as technique and detail."’

‘"The good thing about going up against T.O. is, when you play [against someone] like that, you see where you’re at," Springs told the Boston Herald. "You know he’s always going to try to dominate any opponent. He comes and works really hard. You have to be ready playing him. Either you’re going to be the bug or the windshield, one of the two, with him. He’s so competitive. You’ve got to like guys like that."’

‘I see the 3-4 problem last year as two-fold. No. 1 was physical matchups. They weren’t tough enough up the middle, which is why Kris Jenkins and the Jets held them to 30 rush yards on 17 carries in the first meeting. No. 2: The pass game was worse than the run game versus the 3-4 scheme. The Bills had 119 rush yards at Miami, 161 versus Cleveland, 156 versus the 49ers.’

‘”It shows that hard work and determination can get you to where you want to be,” Jackson continued. “It can be a motivational story to tell kids; tell them that guys from little colleges can get to where they want to be.”‘

‘Owens was asked if, after missing substantial time during the preseason, he’s brought a swagger to the Bills locker room, “Well, if I haven’t,” he said, “I’ll bring it Monday.”‘

Monday will be showtime for Patriots secondary (Boston Globe)

Pressure point for Pryor (Boston Globe)

Trade a Giant adjustment for Michael Matthews (Boston Herald)

Ultimatum for Big Sey (Boston Herald)

Rookie on rehab trail (Boston Herald)

New England Patriots elect 5 teams captains, including Tom Brady, for 2009 season (Springfield Republican)

Bodden still has a short memory (Providence Journal)

Raiders send ‘five-day letter’ to Seymour, according to report (Providence Journal)

Taylor-made start to the Patriots’ season? (Brockton Enterprise)

Simmons admits he’s in a catch-up situation (Brockton Enterprise)

Owens has mouth in midseason form (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

Moment of truth almost at hand (Worcester Telegram and Gazette)

RB Taylor geared up to get started (Attleboro Sun Chronicle)

T.O. still firing away (Nashua Telegraph)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Game Advisory: Patriots vs. Bills (Patriots.com)

Patriots-Bills Injury Report (Patriots.com)

Pats offense feeling no pressure; Thu notes (Patriots.com)

Patriots elect five team captains for 2009 season (Patriots.com)

‘It’s not that the moves weren’t warranted after the first-team offense stumbled and bumbled its way through the summer, failing to score one touchdown in five preseason games. But the timing is peculiar, in essence rendering an entire offseason of planning and preparation worthless.’

‘In time, the Bills could have a very good line (Wood and Levitre are first- and second-round picks) and Bell could be another Peters. But it’s a big gamble given QB Trent Edwards’ development is at stake and most observers will argue the Bills have written off the season.’