Archives for October 2009

‘”I really like Chris Draft,” coach Dick Jauron said the other day after watching Draft start against Carolina despite being in the Bills’ system less than two weeks. “He’s a very smart veteran. He brings additional leadership and is a very savvy player. There’s a great comfort with him on the field.”‘

‘”It’s the same as any other injury for me, really,” said Edwards, who also suffered a concussion last year at Arizona. “It’s an injury and once you get past it there’s not any looking back. Any time you look back that’s not going to help you out.”‘

‘”His yelling has been up today even more just because we’re going up to play Buffalo,” Cody said on Wednesday, smiling. “As soon as we got on the practice field, I could tell he was pumped up.”‘

‘(on QB Ryan Fitzpatrick) “He came into a very difficult situation, obviously, two weeks ago in New York, entering the game relatively early in the football game and down 10 points in an away game in our division, and he rallied us. He did a really nice job. He’s a very football smart guy, understands the game, very into the game, has a good feel on Sunday on the field when we’re talking to him about what’s happening. He can explain it, he understands when you give him information and he relays information well. So really happy that we were able to get him in the offseason in free agency, and he’s done an outstanding job for us.”‘

‘The left defensive tackle in the Bills’ 4-3 defense is no stranger to Texans’ fans, in Marcus Stroud. The former Jaguar is third on Buffalo’s defense with 32 tackles, and he also has four tackles for loss and pair of sacks as well. Stroud spent his first seven years in the NFL in Jacksonville, before switching to the Bills in 2008.’

Texans WR Johnson expected to play against Bills (Houston Chronicle)

Texans notes (Houston Chronicle)

Scouting the Bills: keeping an eye on the special teams (Houston Examiner)

TE Daniels key in Houston’s offense (AP)

Texans LB Cushing, WR Johnson miss practice (The Sports Network)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Practice notes: Wednesday (HoustonTexans.com)

Kollar going back to Buffalo (HoustonTexans.com)

Week 7 fantasy recap (HoustonTexans.com)

Conference calls: Buffalo Bills (HoustonTexans.com)

Practice report (HoustonTexans.com)

Johnson held out of practice Wednesday (HoustonTexans.com)

‘Byrd also is the first rookie in the NFL to snare five picks in one month since Chicago’s Mark Carrier in December 1990, and he’s the first rookie with two interceptions in consecutive games since Dallas’ Everson Walls in 1981.’

‘Houston enters the game averaging 23.9 points for but 22.6 against. The Bills shut down quarterbacks Derek Anderson, Mark Sanchez and Jake Delhomme but Matt Schaub is playing at a very high level and has just five interceptions to go with an NFL-leading 16 scoring passes. He isn’t easily rattled (114.5 rating on the road this year) but the Bills have to try. The Bills would get a break if WR Andre Johnson (16.7 yards per catch) can’t play or is slowed by a chest injury and for once an opponent doesn’t have an overpowering run game.’

‘”Stats can give you an idea but at the end of the day, you’ve got to line up across from the man in front of you and whup him,” SS George Wilson said. “We’re not worried about the stats. We have an opportunity to play Houston at home and even our record to 4-4 after a 1-4 start. It’s a great opportunity that we can’t allow to pass up.”‘

‘”I was kind of getting accustomed to it,” Neill said. “After I was released from Buffalo in the preseason, I had a work out with Tennessee, San Diego and Cincinnati and now down here in St. Louis. I was getting used to that three- or four-guy type of thing.”‘

‘Fitzpatrick has helped Buffalo win two in a row, the most recent a 20-9 victory over Carolina last Sunday, and coach Dick Jauron has refused to commit to who will start once Edwards is healthy. Fitzpatrick doesn’t have gaudy passing numbers, but has mostly avoided turnovers while still taking occasional shots down the field.’

‘When asked if he was concerned about being the starter for that game against the Titans, Edwards said, " It’s not at the top of my mind right now. I have a lot to think about in terms of getting healthy and being able to help the team win. I know we have a big game on Sunday and I’m going to do everything I can this week to help Ryan out just like he did for me."’

‘Also limited in practice was safety Bryan Scott (ankle) and cornerback Terrence McGee (knee).’

‘”I’m frustrated, but I mean, what can I do? I just continue to try to work hard, continue to try to do the best I can.”‘

‘”That’s not on the top of my mind right now,” he said, noting he’ll assist Fitzpatrick in preparing to make his second start. “I have a lot to think about in terms of just getting healthy and helping the team win.”‘