Archives for November 2010

‘However, there was a reason why the Chargers released Merriman – he has been injury-prone and unproductive the last few years, and that still may be the case.’

‘Merriman injured his lower right leg, which has been hampered by a sore Achilles tendon this season. Bills coach Chan Gailey didn’t disclose the exact nature of the injury, but said it was a minor one.’

‘Suffice it to say, there won’t be much talk about lovable losers if the Bills lose Sunday. Displaced Buffalo fans will be laughed out of sports bars from coast to coast. The more industrious and humiliated fans will put two paper bags over their heads, in case the first one breaks.’

‘"Part of being active for him will be whether or not he’s a contributor on special teams, and he had worked well in practice," coach Chan Gailey said. "Paul had done a really good job of catching balls when he got the opportunities and working hard and hustling. He just looked like size and speed-wise, [like] he was a good fit for us right now. If we needed somebody else outside, Stevie [Johnson] can always move inside. We’d rather not [shift Johnson] right now, but he could always move inside if we needed him to."’

”’My goal is to crack the 53-man roster this season,” he said. ”That’s still a goal within reach.”’

‘Gailey said it’s unfair to think Merriman will make an immediate impact on the Bills’ 26th ranked defence. “What happens is everyone gets their expectations so high,” Gailey said. “You gotta realize he hasn’t played a lot of football.”‘

Matthew Stafford’s status? ‘You figure it out’ (Detroit News)

Lions WR Calvin Johnson set to face former college coach Chan Gailey (Detroit News)

Lions offense ready for Shaun Hill’s return (Detroit Free Press)

Lions in neutral until QB Matthew Stafford finds way forward (Detroit Free Press)

Bills coach Chan Gailey knows Calvin Johnson’s ability (Detroit Free Press)

Lions’ Stephen Peterman fined $10,000 for chop-blocks (Detroit Free Press)

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz calls media reports on Matthew Stafford’s injury ‘irresponsible’ (Grand Rapids Press)

Detroit Lions’ Stephen Peterman fined $10,000, Julian Peterson docked $7,500 (Grand Rapids Press)

Hill to start Sunday; Stafford could be back this season (Oakland Press)

Lions have so much to lose at Buffalo that winning is imperative (Oakland Press)

Hanson says Suh was best option (Oakland Press)

Hill stepping in for Stafford again in Detroit (AP)

Hill likely to start for Lions (The Sports Network)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

‘Gailey said whatever happened to Merriman Wednesday hurts his chances of playing this week, mainly because he has now missed some much needed practice and conditioning time. “It hurts him,” Gailey said. “His chances go down tremendously, they do.”‘

‘The Bills return home for the first time since Oct. 10 and should be feeling energized despite their 0-8 record. The Lions (2-6) will be motivated to keep the Bills winless and on course to match their 0-16 record set two years ago. Detroit, whose roster is stocked with high picks, threw a scare into the Jets last week before losing 23-20 in overtime but will be without starting QB Matt Stafford (shoulder). Buffalo’s game plan should be simple: Harass backup Shaun Hill, who should be rusty coming off a broken forearm, into mistakes.’

‘”I don’t think we should be favorites. We’re 0-8 and they have wins under their belt. I feel like they should be the favorites. But we expect to win this football game.” — SS Donte Whitner giving the perfect politically correct response when asked about the Bills being favored by three points over the two-win Lions.’

‘This could be a bad sign for Merriman and the Bills, as the linebacker was limited to three games this season in San Diego with calf and Achilles problems.’

‘”Shawne put 10 pounds on his body and went out there and had a little strain and we didn’t want to chance anything,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “So we’re getting it checked out completely and we’ll see what happens from there, but it wasn’t anything major.”‘

‘Hubbard (6’2" 225) originally joined the Bills on Sept. 6 when he was signed to the team’s practice squad. A former sixth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2008, Hubbard has yet to play in an NFL game.’

‘Caulcrick (6’0" 250), a Clymer, NY native, was just released from the San Francisco 49ers practice squad Monday. A former undrafted rookie signing of the New York Jets in 2008, he spent most of his rookie season on their practice squad. Caulcrick has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.’

‘Taking part in an individual drill in the middle of the field, the former San Diego Chargers star pass-rusher took a few steps back and then hopped in the air in pain after he took a pivot step to his left. Merriman pulled down his right sock and limped to the sideline where a trainer spent a few minutes checking the player’s ankle.’