Archives for November 3, 2011

‘Williams says doctors intend to run tests on his foot on Monday, when the protective boot he’s been wearing for the past two weeks will be removed. Williams says he’ll also attempt to run on the foot to see if it’s feeling better.’

‘The change was made on first quarter play when John Beck scrambled, then recovered his own fumble. It was originally ruled a rushing play but is now a sack shared by Nick Barnett and Danny Batten.’

‘Buffalo is 20th in the league allowing an average of 120.0 yards rushing, but it has countered that with a strong ground game of its own. The Bills rank fifth with 140.6 rushing yards per game led by Fred Jackson, who ran for 120 last week.’

‘”They’re always a tough team to play,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s somebody that we’re familiar with. They’ve been giving us plenty of problems the past few years. They’re going to be in your face. They’re going to think that their guys are better than yours and they’re going to play man-to-man on the outside a lot and come after you and make you beat them. That’s kind of been their M.O. They’re really good at what they do.”‘

‘In losing twice to the Jets last year, Buffalo was manhandled in the trenches, losing the rushing battle 549 yards to 151. The Bills are much better equipped to handle a black-and-blue contest this season, led by Fred Jackson and a much improved line on offense and a defense featuring rookie DT Marcell Dareus and MLB Nick Barnett, who are enjoying terrific seasons. The Bills will have to test New York’s No. 8 pass defense at some point and protecting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick against a confusing, shifting defense that has collected 18 sacks will be paramount. Defensively, Buffalo is coming off a 10-sack explosion against Washington and will look to rattle Mark Sanchez (12 TDs, 6 picks, 16 sacks), using the home crowd to its advantage.’

‘After signing QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a contract extension, the Bills’ front office would like to tie up running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver Stevie Johnson. On Wednesday, Jackson confirmed he has spoken with general manager Buddy Nix. “I had the opportunity to sit down with him and he told me what he felt like and I expressed to him what I felt like,” he said. “I’ll just put my faith in him and see what happens. We got a good understanding of each other and as far as that I’ll just put faith in him and see what happens.” Jackson, 30, is at that age where ball carriers slow down but he’s only been a starter less than three seasons. He currently has 1,074 yards from scrimmage, the second-most in team history through seven games.’

‘”It was probably around three weeks ago,” said Jackson. “I just went in, just to talk to him. He let me know that he was thinking about me, but they just had some other stuff that they had to take care of first. I’ve got a lot of faith in him and that’s what I’ll continue to do. Just put my faith in him and see what happens.”‘

‘Wide receiver Donald Jones, offensive tackle Chris Hairston and cornerback Aaron Williams all made their return to practice from their respective injuries.’

‘”Rex is definitely a little more outspoken,” he said. “He’ll tell you how he feels. Chan has his own way, kind of soft spoken, stays in the background.”‘

‘”There’s more meaning going into this one than our eighth game last year when we were 0-7, that’s for sure,” Ryan Fitzpatrick noted in his weekly press conference. “Anytime you play a division opponent it’s serious. These are the games you have to win to get into the playoffs.”‘

‘”Everything was good,” said Jones following Wednesday’s practice. “I’m definitely sore now after practice, but there’s no shooting pain or anything like that. Hopefully I’ll be okay for Sunday.”‘

‘The Bills will wear their royal blue jerseys during the next two road games at Dallas and Miami. With no Bills throwback uniform game during the 2011 season this Sunday’s game gives the Bills the opportunity to wear their white jersey in front of the home crowd.’