Archives for November 27, 2008

‘Former Elmhurst and Indiana University standout James Hardy returned to his hometown briefly Monday to help distribute 200 free turkeys to people in the Fort Wayne area.’

‘With Greer out with a knee injury and Youboty on injured reserve, the coaches had few options better than McKelvin against the Chiefs, however. And he responded in a big way.’

‘The Bills (6-5) have little margin left for error if they intend to make the playoffs, and just as they did a week ago in Kansas City, need to be focused and prepared to take care of business against a less-than-formidable opponent in the 49ers (3-8). Buffalo can take its pick in attacking San Francisco weaknesses: Pressure young QB Shaun Hill (team has allowed 40 sacks). Fly to the ball (49ers have 27 turnovers). Have Trent Edwards throw (San Francisco’s 29th-ranked secondary allows 244 yards per game). The running back duel between Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore on what will be a cold, maybe slick weather day will go a long ways toward determining the outcome. Basically, the Bills should have no problem winning at home against a team that has traveled across the country, not with renewed playoff hopes after last week’s 54-point explosion against the Chiefs. They shouldn’t take the 49ers too lightly, though. San Francisco leads the NFL with 52 plays of 20 yards or more (running and passing), so it has the capability of punching back.’

‘”I think we’re getting a little more intense and there’s more of an urgency. Guys are getting more and more in rhythm and we’re kind of finding our identity. And I think that happens to any team naturally at the end of the season and when they’re trying to make a playoff run, and that’s exactly what we’re doing now.” — QB Trent Edwards, on where the team stands moving into December.’

‘While Edwards used the trio just about enough, they could in turn make themselves slightly more useful during upcoming games: The tight ends averaged 9.7 yards per reception last Sunday, and it would help a great deal if they could nudge up that rate a yard or two. Of course, it wasn’t a problem this time since the Bills generally ended up moving the ball as if they were unopposed in Kansas City, and even relatively low gains per reception can’t take away from the fact that this effort served as a good rebound for this offense regardless of the foe’s sad weakness.’

‘A person familiar with the injury told the AP on Wednesday that Schobel is scheduled to begin more intense on-field workouts next week with the possibility he could be cleared to play in Buffalo’s game at the New York Jets on Dec. 14. The timetable fits the one provided to Schobel on Nov. 5 when he visited a specialist in North Carolina and had a cast placed on his foot to protect a sprained ligament to his big toe, the person said.’

‘”They are both very athletic, as we’ve all seen,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “They do run really good routes and they do catch the ball well most of the time. Once they get it in their hands, they are formidable runners once they get down the field. It’s a weapon we planned on using, that we’re using, that we’re learning how to use more and more and more effectively. We feel very fortunate to have the two of them.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills have some swagger back on offense, but now they need to keep it going in order to boost their playoff hopes. That shouldn’t be much of a problem against the lowly San Francisco 49ers.’

‘”I’m very anxious to get back to my old stomping grounds,” Clements said Wednesday before the 49ers practiced in a chilly rain that might be California’s closest approximation to everyday weather in western New York. “That was the foundation of my career, where it started professionally. It was nice to be in an organization that had a lot of tradition.”‘