Two Bills Drive

‘Hearst’s comeback is remarkable. Since spending two years rehabilitating from four ankle surgeries, he has not just returned to the NFL but to elite status.’

Jeb (Tallahassee): Mort, pleased to meet you. What do you think of Alex Van Pelt?

Chris Mortensen: (9:16 PM ET ) I think if Alex Van Pelt decided to get real serious about his conditioning and being a starter in the NFL, he would have a chance. The opportunity obviously is right there in Buffalo. He’s got a little Jim Kelly in him, froma leadership standpoint. He’s extremely popular in the locker room.’

‘"It’s great to have him," defensive end Marcellus Wiley said. "That’s ‘Clutch’ Christie."’

‘"I just don’t think it [my release] was handled properly," he said. "They sort of bumbled a few other guys, too. It’s certainly not the way the Bills used to handle things. I’ll leave it at that."’

‘One league source told The Chronicle and an NFL columnist later warned that coach Steve Mariucci could be pushed out by the end of the season in favor of general manager Terry Donahue. When the notion surfaced at 49ers headquarters, Donahue and Mariucci immediately met. "We laughed about it," Mariucci said. Donahue concurred that there’s nothing to the rumors.’

‘Hearst, named the NFC offensive player of the week Wednesday, will become a free agent after this season because of a clause that voids the final two years of his contract.’

‘With their rights to the 3Com Park name set to expire at the end of the current football season, officials with the Santa Clara-based networking company said Wednesday that they remain open to extending their agreement with the 49ers but suggested it would have to be on different terms.’

‘Injured wide receiver Terrell Owens was a spectator at Wednesday’s practice and he may be watching from the sideline Sunday night, when the 49ers play the Buffalo Bills.’

‘"But first things first. Buffalo is the next round."’

‘Rookie reserve Jamie Winborn found himself on the field for nearly 50 percent of the snaps last Sunday as part of an increased rotation among the 49ers’ linebacking corps in a 40-21 win at Indianapolis.’

‘”The best thing about [my firing],” DeHaven said Wednesday, “was I had a year left in my contract. The worst thing that could have happened was I was going to spend another winter in Buffalo, but at least I’d get paid to do it.”‘

‘"At this point, I’m not sure," Owens said when asked whether he expects to be able to play against the Bills. "We have six games left. I know what’s at stake for the team. I have to be smart about it."’

‘Former first-round draft pick Erik Flowers says his benching by the Buffalo Bills comes down to two factors: weight and strength. He doesn’t have enough of either.’

‘Graham starred at Virginia Tech and joined Donovan McNabb as the only players ever to earn All-Big East honors four straight seasons. But he was cut by New Orleans in preseason two years ago and by Seattle this summer.’

‘Despite being voted the Big East Conference’s best kicker for four years straight, setting the conference record with 371 points, and also playing under the spotlight of a national championship contender with Virginia Tech, Shayne Graham had to work hard over the past two years to keep his dream of being an NFL kicker alive.’