Archives for October 5, 2012

‘San Francisco has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in its last 44 games, that being ex-Bill and current Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch on Christmas Eve last season. The Niners led the NFL in run defense in 2011, yielding only 77.3 yards per game. They allowed just three rushing TDs all last season, the fewest since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.’

‘”I’ve started as many games as Kraig, so I don’t view myself as a backup, but unfortunately that’s the spot I’m in,” Rinehart said Thursday. “Going into this game starting, I feel comfortable with all the other guys.”‘

‘”If I wasn’t doing this my dream job would be a famous DJ. Actually, I would kind of like to be a DJ and produce music. So I guess I’d say I would want to be more like Timbaland (the record producer, songwriter and rapper).”‘

‘”My whole deal about being a No. 3 pick, whatever people say, I’m just going to go out there and do my best and give my all, that’s all I can do,” said the former standout at Alabama.’

‘They are angry because they watched the Bills wine and dine you until you inked that six-year $100-million US contract, including $50 million guaranteed. All for a player who is on pace to record just six sacks this season.’

‘Last year, Whitner, who spent 2006-10 with the Bills, said Buffalo coach Chan Gailey often publicly assigned blame to his players. This week, Whitner suggested the Bills’ problems went beyond their personnel when asked about Buffalo’s mind-set on the heels of its 52-28 loss to the Patriots.’

‘Williams has not appeared on the Bills’ injury report all season, and coach Chan Gailey made no mention of Williams’ wrist in Wednesday’s conference call with Bay Area media. “He has ended up drawing two and three blockers quite a bit, so his statistics are not where they need to be,” Gailey said.’

49ers’ offensive line has become a force (San Francisco Chronicle)

Bills aren’t due soon, says Whitner (San Francisco Chronicle)

Jim Harbaugh-led San Francisco 49ers don’t just play better, they scheme better (San Jose Mercury News)

Buffalo Bills’ Mario Williams still formidable despite injury (San Jose Mercury News)

With emergence of Kaepernick, QB controversy will only grow (Sacramento Bee)

Say Hey Kid wows ’em at 49ers practice (Sacramento Bee)

49ers giving other teams new things to think about (AP)

49ers wary of Bills versatility, playmakers on offense (The Sports Xchange)

Play-time issues for Moss, Jacobs and top draft picks (CSN Bay Area)

Roman on thwarted trick play: ‘Next question’ (CSN Bay Area)

49ers-Bills injury report: Three out for Buffalo (CSN Bay Area)

Patrick Willis Named NFC Defensive Player Of The Week (KPIX-TV)

Ray McDonald Works Behind the Scenes (49ers.com)

49ers Offense Mixes It Up (49ers.com)

Willie Mays Visits 49ers Facility (49ers.com)

‘Coach Chan Gailey made the announcement after Johnson missed his second straight practice Thursday. Gailey said Johnson was hurt but continued playing in a 52-28 loss to New England on Sunday.’

‘Johnson missed a second straight day of practice Thursday due to an ankle injury. Bills coach Chan Gailey said the injury became worse on Monday.’

‘It’s funny how Whitner never took responsibility for his failures here and always said he was being used wrong. The problem I have with his current comments is it’s obviously sour grapes because he didn’t even play for Dave Wannstedt.’

‘”It’s interesting to see that and to see that they’ve been very successful at it. That’s another thing with this team. They’re able to possess the ball and sustain long drives. You have to be able to take advantage of when you have the ball. You have to be able to take advantage of putting seven points instead of three on the board. That goes into it too. We have to be able to do a good job of that this week.”‘

‘On Thursday, it was a different story. Byrd was back, working with the defensive backs through the portion of practice the media is allowed to witness. Chan Gailey said, “He was limited, but he moved around pretty well.” As far as playing Sunday goes Gailey said, “Oh yes, all indications are he will, unless there’s a set back between now and then, he’ll be out there.”‘

‘Following a string of three games where Nick Barnett was perhaps the best defender on the field on a three-game average, the linebacker had a game to forget against the Patriots. Whether it was due to the defensive line not being as influential on the game as the Bills would have hoped or something else, Barnett struggled mightily throughout the game. He got caught on a play-action pass where he lost his assignment by biting on the run on three different occasions.’