Archives for December 2004

‘In fact, this can be a "trap game" for the Bills, who might also have to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on the final Sunday of the regular season to make the playoffs. The Steelers, of course, are 13-1 and will clinch home-field advantage with a victory today against Baltimore. Therefore, it is possible that the Bills will overlook a team that boasts its only two victories against the Arizona Cardinals.’

‘”If you had a lot of success throughout the year, you might feel that way,” he said. “But the way we started gave us a taste of being at the bottom of the barrel. When you’re at the bottom of the barrel and you start winning, you don’t want to go back there. . . . We’re playing scared. That’s exactly how you want to do it. You want to play scared and take care of business. We plan to go out and do that.”‘

‘”He’s a tremendous motivator,” Bills defensive back Troy Vincent said. “I can appreciate a coach who understands what’s going on through your mind after a play happens, instead of everything being so textbook because this is not a textbook game.”‘

‘Bills continue to roll with 30-13 win.’

‘”The kids were adamant about me getting back into coaching,” April said. “They told me, “That’s what you are.’ “‘

‘The reason McGahee deserves the award is this: Brees almost lost his job with the Chargers; McGahee almost lost his career to the catastrophic knee injury he suffered in January 2003. Brees had a bad year in 2003. McGahee couldn’t even play in 2003.’

‘Blitz Bledsoe: Drew Bledsoe is only 32 and yet it seems as if he’s been playing since the AFL-NFL merger. Maybe it’s because he’s not all that spry. In fact, the Bills quarterback has been likened to a cigar-store Indian in terms of mobility.’

‘Buffalo runs an offensive scheme similar to the 49ers’, with the two-tight end formations and commitment to the run. The Bills then like to throw over the top when the linebackers and safeties sneak up to stop the run. Pressure on quarterback Drew Bledsoe will be a key, and the improving secondary can step forward if it can stay with receivers Lee Evans and Eric Moulds.’

‘The Bills’ first-round draft pick, wide receiver Lee Evans, has 38 receptions for 588 yards and seven touchdowns. The 49ers’ first-round pick, wide receiver Rashaun Woods, has three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.’

‘Mularkey has overcome bad starts before. After the 49ers cut him, he spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers. But he never forgot his few weeks with Walsh. “I wouldn’t say I run his West Coast offense,” Mularkey said, “but I would say I use his philosophy of trying to get the ball in the right guy’s hands. I believe in that and I always have even since I was a coordinator. Obviously, the success has proven that it was a pretty good idea.”’

Tight-fisted 49ers last in league in spending (San Francisco Chronicle)

Hope for 49ers? (San Francisco Chronicle)

Bills (8-6) vs. 49ers (2-12) (San Francisco Chronicle)

A primer to explain ‘dead money’ (San Francisco Chronicle)

Niners spend not, win not under Yorks (San Francisco Chronicle)

Bills recover from their poor start, unlike the 49ers (Contra Costa Times)

Help could be on the way for 49ers, Raiders (Contra Costa Times)

49ers of ’80s helping Bills of today (San Jose Mercury News)

Seifert was perfect fit (San Jose Mercury News)

Keys to the game (San Jose Mercury News)

49ers vs. Bills (Sacramento Bee)

Scout’s honor: 49ers are doing their homework (Sacramento Bee)

Commentator sees hope for 49ers organization (Sacramento Bee)

Bills looking for playoff berth; SF simply looking for motivation (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Peterson has been on target for 49ers (Oakland Tribune)

‘There is little doubt the 49ers are the worst team in football. Their only two wins have come against Arizona and it took overtime to win both, they have scored the fourth-fewest points in the league and have given up the second-most points.’

‘Growing up in Texas, you were a baseball star as well as a football star, and the Atlanta Braves offered you $150,000 to play in their minor league system. Why did you decline and play college football instead?

"I didn’t want to go that far away. I was 18 at the time. I turned it down because I told them I wanted to go to college and play football. It was a pretty nice bonus and after I told them I wasn’t going to sign they asked me what would it take for me to sign, but I still turned it down because I wanted to play college football. I have no regrets whatsoever."’

‘”The thought (of starting) never crossed my mind,” Williams said. “I figured things would work out the way they were supposed. I’m excited.”‘

‘Williams, Burns, and Brown will most likely split the carries and develop a running back by committee philosophy. If one gets hot during the course of the game, Head Coach Mike Mularkey will most likely stick with that runner to build some momentum for the offense.’