Two Bills Drive

‘Back in the lineup after two seasons and no less than four surgeries to repair his left ankle, Hearst has emerged as the comeback story of the NFL season. With 776 yards on 147 carries through 10 games, Hearst is giving the Niners offence the versatility it lacked while he sat out recovering from a blood disorder that essentially caused a portion of his ankle bone to die.’

‘"The most wonderful years of my life were in Buffalo," the 53-year-old Kansas native [Bruce DeHaven] said.’

‘The 49ers’ offense has become an explosive one, with Jeff Garcia throwing to Terrell Owens and Garrison Hearst back in game- breaking form, but the 49ers will go as far as their defense takes them.’

‘"Day to day,” Owens said when asked to assess his status.’

‘The entire NFL is different, too. The era of dynasties is dead. Teams can rise from the ashes or go up in flames in an instant.’

‘Hall of Fame tackle Bob St. Clair is bursting with excitement about having his No. 79 jersey retired by the 49ers at halftime of Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills at 3Com Park.’

‘Up to three inches of rain are predicted for Sunday, which means the game may be played in a quagmire.’

‘"The doctor I saw in California said it was a breath away from popping through the skin. It wasn’t very good. Hopefully, it will heal correctly and I won’t have to have surgery."’

‘Hearst is in the midst of writing the NFL’s ultimate comeback story, one whose latest chapter plays out tomorrow night at 3Com Park when the 49ers host the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Looking at the rosters for the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, who meet Sunday, both teams are among the youngest in the NFL. The 49ers have 13 rookies and nine second-year players; the Bills have 11 rookies and nine second-year players. What’s the difference between the two? Confidence.’

‘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."’