Archives for December 8, 2011

‘Chargers 31, Bills 14.’

‘”I was amazed at how much he had retained of our system,” said Gailey who uses a lot of the same terminology that he had at Tech. “He’s really, really smart and that retention gave him an opportunity sooner rather than later with us.”‘

‘"We know we’re better than what our record shows," Bills receiver David Nelson said. "And it’s our job to go out and prove that, and we want to finish this season on a strong note to propel us to next season. Going 9-7 or 8-8, whatever it may be at the end of the year, would be progress considering what we did last year. For each and every one of us, we have to get better. We have to continue to get better to motivate us for next season."’

‘"There are two trains of thought for going to the West Coast just like there’s two trains of thought going from west to east," coach Chan Gailey said. "I think it is a little different going from here to there in my experience. You can go a day early and try to get acclimated a little bit or go just like your normal schedule and everyone has a comfort level with the schedule. Whereas with this it’s different because you’re doing Saturday walk-through at a different place and you’re staying in a hotel for two nights. That’s different, but your body is getting acclimated to the time and hopefully that helps you."’

‘”He’s certainly capable, he just needs to go compete for the ball when it’s in the air,” coach Chan Gailey said Wednesday. “That’s the bottom line, just go make the play when it’s there. He’s there a lot of times, just make the play. That’s easier said than done, by the way. They pay that guy on the other side of the ball a lot of money that’s trying to catch it.”‘

‘Just lack of execution. We’ve not been able to execute the way we were earlier in the season and it has cost us.’

Six-foot-9, 340 pounds … and invisible (San Diego Union Tribune)

Former Charger Florence returns with Bills (San Diego Union Tribune)

Chargers place Castillo on IR (San Diego Union Tribune)

Win was nice, but Bolts still need a good overhaul (North County Times)

Castillo placed on injured reserve (North County Times)

Bolts place DE Castillo on IR; sign LB Triplett (AP)

Chargers place DE Castillo on injured reserve (The Sports Network)

Conference call: Gailey and Florence (Chargers.com)

Chargers place Castillo on IR, sign Triplett (Chargers.com)

‘The Bills offered Harrell a spot on their 53-man roster, so the Packers had to decide whether to promote him from their practice squad or let him go. In a sign that they view him as a possible No. 2 quarterback next year after Matt Flynn’s presumed departure in free agency, the Packers offered Harrell a spot on their 53, and he chose to stay with them rather than go to Buffalo.’

‘The Buffalo Bills forced the Packers’ hand with the third-string quarterback, offering to sign him to their 53-man roster. With an offer in hand, Harrell’s agent came back to the Packers and told them there was no way he could turn down the Bills’ offer if the Packers wouldn’t promote him from their practice squad.’

‘”Patience is key,” Spiller said, Wednesday. “I never got doubtful. I always knew the man upstairs has great plans for me. I always knew my time was going to come. I just didn’t know when.”‘

‘”It’s very tough to deal with,” said coach Chan Gailey, whose team last dropped six in a row during an 0-8 skid to begin his tenure in 2010. “We’re one game better than we were last year, but it doesn’t feel anywhere near like that.”‘

‘Some of their decisions have panned out. Many others haven’t. But it is only Year 2.’

‘The Bills are in a very difficult place to try to snap their five-game losing skid; they lost 48-10 at San Diego in 2005 in their last visit there. Coach Chan Gailey is taking his team out a day early, a Friday, to get acclimated to the time and weather change. The Chargers are 18-2 all-time in December/November under coach Norv Turner, who needs a big finish to save his job.’

‘The Bills could be doing some juggling at tight end against San Diego if Scott Chandler can’t play or is less than 100 percent. Chandler, who is having one of the best seasons by a Buffalo tight end in years with 35 catches for 360 yards and six TDs, injured his ankle in last week’s loss to Tennessee. He did not practice Wednesday and the team is holding out some hope that he’ll get on the field Thursday. The plan if Chandler can’t play is to use rookie Lee Smith and Mike Caussin in a rotation. Coach Chan Gailey said it would basically take Smith and Caussin to replace what Chandler does.’

‘Safety Jairus Byrd, tight end Scott Chandler and cornerback Aaron Williams all did not participate in practice Wednesday at One Bills Drive. Chandler and Williams were both expected to miss the opening session at least, but there was no indication that Byrd would miss any time.’