Archives for October 24, 2009

‘”It’s frustrating when you’re a No. 1 guy, a starting receiver, to not have a catch in a game or only have one catch and really not feel part of a game,” Bills receiver Lee Evans(notes) said. “Especially for a guy like Steve Smith who’s a very seasoned veteran, who’s been around a lot, made a lot of plays. I can understand the frustration.”‘

‘All of this would simply be the story of another sad season in a long run of them for Bills fans, were it not for the unique five-year deal in which the team is playing a handful of games in Toronto. On Dec. 3, Buffalo will play a resurgent New York Jets team at the Rogers Centre. Tickets range from $99 to $275 a pop, which is a steep price to see an anemic team that could well enter the game sporting a record of 2-8. Will the stands be anywhere near full?’

‘”Old Piggy,” Panthers defensive tackle Damione Lewis said of Hangartner. “He did a good job of catching, didn’t he? He’s a good athlete, man, to be a big guy. The smart thing for him to do was take the knee, but he didn’t do that, he tried to run with it, get his knees blew out. Everybody thinks they can do something with the ball when they get it in their hands.”‘

‘Buffalo’s running back tandem has not been ultra productive of late, but productive enough. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson are now entering their fourth game as a one-two punch and should have success against a run front that’s been struggling all season long surrendering almost 150 yards per game on the ground.’

‘"I think it’s his personality," said Eric Studesville, Bills running game coordinator and backs coach. "He’s an aggressive guy. When you sit and talk to him he’s not a boisterous guy, but his personality on the football field is aggressive. He’s always going forward. And he’s strong. He’s probably, pound for pound, one of the strongest guys on the team."’

‘"He’s progressing like you’re supposed to progress after what he’s had," Carpenter said. "No setbacks – put it that way."’

‘”It’s discouraging for real,” said defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who has a shoulder injury and probably won’t get a chance to make amends Sunday when the Bills play in Carolina. “You see the mistakes that we make and it seems like teams are finding them all the time. Some teams make mistakes and they get covered up by someone else, but teams are finding our mistake and hitting us with some big plays.”‘

‘”(That) is interesting for me because I went from being a younger guy to being the oldest guy on our line pretty quick,” Hangartner said. “So that’s definitely been a transition.”‘

‘It’ll be Reunion Sunday at Bank of America Stadium for Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart and Buffalo free safety Jairus Byrd.’

Bills’ ‘Piggy’ banking on a winning return to Charlotte (Charlotte Observer)

Oregon buddies reunite at game (Charlotte Observer)

Scouting the Bills: Pass defense is a strength (Gaston Gazette)

Offensive coordinator Davidson discusses Jake, Smitty and struggling passing game (Gaston Gazette)

Acquistion of Tyler gives Panthers options at DT (Rock Hill Herald)

Now with Buffalo, ‘Piggy’ Hangartner returns to face former team (Rock Hill Herald)

Panthers aim to get passing game off the ground (Greenville News)

Following the bouncing ball (Panthers.com)