Archives for November 10, 2010

‘This could be a bad sign for Merriman and the Bills, as the linebacker was limited to three games this season in San Diego with calf and Achilles problems.’

‘”Shawne put 10 pounds on his body and went out there and had a little strain and we didn’t want to chance anything,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “So we’re getting it checked out completely and we’ll see what happens from there, but it wasn’t anything major.”‘

‘Hubbard (6’2" 225) originally joined the Bills on Sept. 6 when he was signed to the team’s practice squad. A former sixth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2008, Hubbard has yet to play in an NFL game.’

‘Caulcrick (6’0" 250), a Clymer, NY native, was just released from the San Francisco 49ers practice squad Monday. A former undrafted rookie signing of the New York Jets in 2008, he spent most of his rookie season on their practice squad. Caulcrick has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.’

‘Taking part in an individual drill in the middle of the field, the former San Diego Chargers star pass-rusher took a few steps back and then hopped in the air in pain after he took a pivot step to his left. Merriman pulled down his right sock and limped to the sideline where a trainer spent a few minutes checking the player’s ankle.’

‘Balogun has yet to play an NFL game after being signed by San Francisco in April as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oklahoma. He’s since spent time on Washington and Tampa Bay’s practice squads.’

‘The NFL’s Outstanding Midseason Defensive player probably is Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and the NFL’s most talented running back probably is Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans. How good would they look in Buffalo Bills uniforms today?’

‘"Unfortunately, with young talented guys like this we all want them to be unbelievably great right off the bat and that’s not fair to them. Give the guy a chance to learn," Gailey said. "As I’ve said 100 times, I think he’s going to be a dynamic player for us before it’s over with. We’ve just got to keep getting him in the right spots."’

‘Caulcrick was the Class D player of the year while at Clymer and was a three-time all-state selection. At Michigan State, Caulcrick amassed 2,395 rushing yards, the 10th most in the program’s history, and was an honorable mention all-Big Ten.’

‘Something’s got to give, because the Lions have lost 24 games in a row on the road.’

‘Cortez’s name has been speculated as a possible coaching replacement in Canada, given his long years in the CFL and past associations with Buono and Edmonton GM Eric Tillman. Cortez can’t comment, of course. For now, the “detail-oriented, meticulous” coach, as Buono describes him, is just worried about looking after details in Buffalo, doing his job and improving his team through its quarterbacking.’

Johnson currently has been targeted 65 times this season, as compared to Evans’ 55 times. He hasn’t recorded less than 3 catches or less than 31 yards in a game. Now, three catches for 31 yards as a statistical floor aren’t spectacular numbers by any means, but it’s certainly not bad for a No. 2 wide receiver on the 26th ranked offense in the league. Heck, his 11 catches this past Sunday against Chicago is one shy of his career total (12) entering this season.