Two Bills Drive

‘Even when the San Francisco 49ers were struggling to escape the salary-cap jail in which the Buffalo Bills landed last spring, their offense could cause problems for anybody. But San Francisco is 8-2 and on top of the NFC West two years after crashing to 4-12 in 1999 because the 49ers defense is finally catching up. That can only be bad news for the hapless Buffalo Bills, who head into Sunday night’s nationally televised game still reeling from their collapse last week against Miami. None of San Francisco’s first seven wins were by more than a 10-point margin, with five coming by six or less — three in overtime. But last week, playing on the road, the 49ers harassed Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning into throwing four interceptions. San Francisco’s 40-21 win sent Colts coach Jim Mora into one of his post-game tirades and likely ended Indy’s realistic playoff hopes. Buffalo, of course, said goodbye to such hopes well before Halloween. While plenty of numbers hint at reasons for the Bills’ 1-9 record, the most significant is minus-12. That’s Buffalo’s giveaway/takeaway ratio, and it ties the Bills with Indy, Miami and Minnesota at the bottom of the National Football League.’

‘”This is a very good situation and will be a great one when we get the team going,” Donahoe said. “We have a tremendous owner who’s willing to go out and pay for players. We have a great situation with our stadium and facilities. Now, all we have to do is start winning. And we will.”‘

‘The presence of longtime offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick is felt around the 49ers’ practice facility every day. He coached in San Francisco for 21 years before he died in spring 2000 of bile duct cancer. The team kept his locker intact under a glass encasing inside the coaches’ locker room. Every year, the top offensive lineman earns an award named in his honor. The 49ers even have two running plays named after him.’

‘Garcia threw for 12 touchdowns in November and led the 49ers to a 4-0 record, including two fourth-quarter comebacks. He did it all while wearing a brace on his left knee following a knee sprain in Chicago on Oct. 28.’

‘"There are some people in the organization I’m looking forward to seeing," said DeHaven, a Livermore resident. "I can honestly say there’s not one person in that entire organization I hold any ill will to at all."’

‘Garcia completed 95 of 145 passes — a 65.5 percentage — for 1,032 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions this month while leading the 49ers to a 4-0 record, including two fourth-quarter comeback wins. Not bad for a guy who’s been battling elbow pain all season and wrenched his knee Oct. 28 in Chicago.’

‘Yeah, if they want me here, I want to be here. If they don’t, I don’t want to be here. I want to be where I’m wanted.’

‘The Bills would have John Fina at left tackle, Ruben Brown at left guard, Bill Conaty at center and Jerry Ostroski at right guard. They played three plays together in the preseason before Ostroski broke his leg.’

So what if Jeff Garcia takes his dog to a spa. This guy is an absolute killer. Rookie running back Kevan Barlow is listed as questionable. The best case would be to list him as OUT and do as the Skins. Simplify. Center the offense around Garrison Hearst. Terrell Owens will always be open. 49ERS

Graham came close to grabbing the Seahawks kicking job this past summer, but Lindell’s incumbency was more attractive for Seattle than taking the chance on an unproven quantity.

Despite playing in his first NFL game Sunday, he knows this will be an opportunity for him to build a career and get a chance at something he’s worked for for two years.

Bills head coach Gregg Williams will be at the Galyan’s Sport and Outdoor Adventure store at Walden Galleria Mall this Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. Be sure to stop by the store’s mall entrance to see the coach!

The Buffalo Bills head to a prime time showdown on the West Coast for a Sunday night game with the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park, with the Bills having a good experience the last time they were featured on ESPN.

Buffalo’s passing attack has been performing well in two games since Rob Johnson left the Nov. 11th game against New England with a broken collarbone, as Van Pelt has thrown for 625 yards and 5 touchdowns, and also sports a 106.5 rating as the team’s starter.

Despite the downpour of rain Mother Nature had in store for Western New York, the celebration continued as the Buffalo Bills and Waters of New York announced their contribution to the American Red Cross. A new, 15-passenger van to be used for a recently developed program called the LIFE project was unveiled Tuesday afternoon during a press-conference at the Concerned Ecumenical Ministry on Lafayette Avenue in Buffalo.

Former Buffalo Bills special teams coach Ronnie Jones has been hired as head coach at West Texas A&M University. Jones replaces Stan McGarvey at the Division II school. The Buffaloes went 2-9 this year, and McGarvey was reassigned.

Despite his Thursday assessment on a local radio station that his season is over, Buffalo Bills physicians still want to re-examine the fractured collarbone of Johnson, and then will make a determination on his availability for the balance of this year.

GM Donahoe acknowledged it is possible Johnson will not play again in 2001, but told ESPN.com on Thursday night that such a determination is premature. He suggested that Johnson, who said the injury is healing slowly, might have spoken in part out of frustration.