Archives for December 2010

‘Vikings 31, Bills 23.’

‘”I didn’t expect it to be how it was,” Johnson said of all the negative attention he received for the tweet. “It’s still on my page, I’m not going to delete it. I didn’t mean it how they put it, I was simply asking why and it blew up. I’ll move forward from it and take it in stride. We’re an Internet generation and maybe I shouldn’t have done it. But I don’t regret that I did it.”‘

‘Johnson was much more focused on the reaction of teammates. Asked about the feedback he received that affected him most, Johnson said: "Simply put, the Buffalo Bills family. The guys now and the guys of the past, and even other teams. They said they have my back, they have my support. They just showed they still roll with me."’

‘It’s not likely any one player will fill Torbor’s shoes. Rookie Antonio Coleman is expected to see increased playing time with Torbor out. Coleman has worked at the strong-side linebacker spot. Safety Bryan Scott could see an expanded role in the nickel defense. The Bills could use Paul Posluszny and Chris Kelsay as outside linebackers with Akin Ayodele as the middle linebacker on occasion.’

Favre claims this year is it … again (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Frazier settles into new role (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Vikings O-line looks to be in rough shape (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Hutchinson, Peterson and Edwards all sit out practice (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Brett Favre’s ‘I’m done’ remark has a basis to it (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Cornerback Lito Sheppard still trying to find his place with Vikings (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Adrian Peterson’s ankle better, Ray Edwards’ worse (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

10,000 Vikings fans to be disguised as empty seats (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Questions with Bob Sansevere: Vikings offensive lineman Ryan Cook (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Three Things with Bob Sansevere: Vikings defensive lineman Brian Robison (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Bob Sansevere’s On and On with Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Two Things with Bob Sansevere: Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Favre says no word on NFL investigation (AP)

Peterson, Hutchinson miss practice for Vikings (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Bills-Vikings Preview (Vikings.com)

Peterson, Hutchinson Both Dealing With Injuries (Vikings.com)

Vikings Quotes – Frazier and Favre – December 1 (Vikings.com)

‘”Just keep throwing him the ball,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think the best way to get somebody’s spirits up is to continue to give them a chance to make plays. I have 100-percent confidence in him. I think everybody else on this team has 100-percent confidence in him. It’s happened to all of us. I’ve thrown plenty of bad interceptions at the end of the game and didn’t make plays that I thought I should have. So, it happens to all of us. You just have to move on. It’s part of the game and you just have to know that everybody has your back in the locker room.”‘

‘The tenacious Bills would like nothing better than to make it an AFC East sweep over the Vikings, who have lost to the Dolphins, Jets and Patriots already. Minnesota has been beaten up physically and mentally but eked out a 17-13 win over Washington last week for interim coach Leslie Frazier, who replaced the fired Brad Childress. There is still chatter about making the playoffs and it starts with a three-game home stand starting with Buffalo. With QB Brett Favre struggling with 10 TDs vs. 17 interceptions, stopping Minnesota’s No. 10 running game and forcing Favre to beat them isn’t a bad strategy for the Bills, who are expecting Adrian Peterson (sprained ankle) to play. Minnesota remains very stout defensively, ranking fifth against the run and ninth in total yardage. The team needs a big game out of RB Fred Jackson. If Buffalo can establish a ground game, it would take pressure off QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in what figures to be a very challenging — and loud — road contest. Buffalo would catch a break if DE Ray Edwards (5.5 sacks, bad ankle) can’t go.’

”’CB Antoine Winfield and DT Pat Williams, two popular former Bills who left after the 2003 season to join the Vikings, are still enjoying productive seasons. WR Lee Evans has a healthy dose of respect for Winfield, one of the NFL’s most tenacious tacklers. He’s third on the Vikings with 62 tackles this season to go with one interception. Getting a helmet on Winfield every play will be important if Buffalo hopes to run the ball vs. the NFL’s No. 5 run defense. “He’s been playing at a high level for a long time and he not only plays well in the passing game but also in the running game,” Evans said. “You really have to play a full game playing against him because he’ll come up and beat your backs up. He’s not afraid to come up and make hits, so you really have to try and keep a body on him and keep him off your backs when you run the ball.”‘

‘Hopefully Johnson did learn a lot. I hope he learned that God is good even when He doesn’t cause you to be a hero. I hope he also learned to have his conversations with God in private and not on Twitter.’

‘”It’s already happened,” said Johnson. “I’ve talked to my teammates. I’ve talked to my friends and family. I don’t have to watch any football, just being around these guys and in this locker room and being around my family and talking with my friends and stuff from back home, it’s already started. The positive things have already started.”‘

‘”I guess I look at it a little like golf if you got to re-tee it after the first shot,” said Lindell. “I would think the second shot would probably be better. You get to see how the ball travels if the wind is blowing and if it’s carrying well. And there’s enough time there to go to the sideline and then come back on."’

‘Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 265 yards with a touchdown and an interception versus Pittsburgh, says he’ll continue to target Johnson. “I have 100 percent confidence in him,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s the biggest thing. And I think that’s the most important thing is for him to know that.”‘

‘Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Reggie Torbor has an injured shoulder that will keep him sidelined indefinitely.’

‘”Yeah I’ve been able to put it behind me,” Johnson said. “I haven’t forgotten about it, but I’m ready to move on from it.”‘

‘The lack of success of QB Trent Edwards and RB Marshawn Lynch since they were dumped by Gailey is another plus in his ledger. Retaining Aaron Maybin and John McCargo could be a clue that he’s more confident in evaluating offensive players than defensive players.’