Archives for October 4, 2006

‘Villarrial, who suffered an ankle injury last week against Minnesota, is officially listed as doubtful on the injury report, but the veteran may be sidelined as many as three weeks. Duke Preston, a second-year pro from Illinois, is expected to start in his place.’

‘On Bears defense interfering with route timings – “They have gaps and we have to be able to get there and like you said the timing between quarterback and receiver is going to be at a premium this week, because they do a good job at trying to put their hands on you and re-route you and do different things and just be real physical with you to try to throw the timing off.”‘

‘Villarrial was listed as doubtful on the Bills injury report, and coach Dick Jauron said he will need at least a week of rest. Jauron said tests revealed the injury was to a tendon in Villarrial’s ankle, and not a high ankle sprain as initially feared.’

‘On being able to run and burst – I’m trying. That’s the frustrating part. I can get out here and do certain things, certain drills, but my game totally depends on bursting. If I can’t do that then it’s hard and it sticks out on film like a sore thumb. I don’t want to risk myself as far as more injuries. I am getting better though.’

‘On his blocking – I have to step it up every week to tell you the truth. I have to give JP that confidence that no one is coming from the backside when I’m in there. I have to step my game up all around. We have to chip real good and let them know we’re there.’

‘On Ruben Brown – “Ruben is playing like he has in the past, same old Ruben.”‘

‘On him appreciating his five years in Chicago – I loved it. I’ve been in the NFL for 31 or 32 years now and I’ve loved every one of them, as a player, as a coach, wherever I was. It’s a great opportunity and you have to be awfully lucky to be around it. To be a head coach in any franchise, Chicago with the charter franchise, is special. Just to be in the league is really a fortunate deal.’

‘"You never want to rush the type of injuries that you have especially when you’re dealing with soft tissue," said Spikes. "Hamstrings can’t be rushed. That’s the frustrating part because I can get out here and do certain drills, but my game totally depends on bursting and being explosive in certain situations. If I can’t do that it’s hard. It sticks out on film like a sore thumb. I don’t want to put that out there and I don’t want to risk myself as far as any more injuries. I am getting better though, that’s the big thing."’

‘On helping the offense understand Chicago’s defense better – “I don’t know the offense very well, but I think that the players speak for themselves, they put their work on tape and I can support what they see on tape.”‘

‘”He did an outstanding job picking up some of those big defensive linemen in the pass protections,” said center Melvin Fowler. “Even though those weren’t his responsibilities some of the time, he did an outstanding job. To see a running back who weighs all of 225 pounds lay out a defensive tackle weighing 310 pounds that’s a big morale booster. It’s nice to see.”‘

‘The two Jills will compete against teams from the Vikings, Eagles and Texans in tomorrow’s taped show at 9:30 p.m. on the NFL Network.’

‘Bears 17, Bills 9.’

‘The Bills love Ellison’s quick feet and good instincts in pass coverage, but his biggest strength is the ability to pick up schemes quickly.’