Archives for December 13, 2012

‘Veteran defensive end Chris Kelsay said many fans at Toronto games cheer for the Bills’ opponents. “In Buffalo,” said Kelsay, “we’ve got our true fans who show up, rain, winter or snow to support us. . . . It’s definitely different.”‘

‘We’re beginning to suspect the Bills don’t like us any more. We’d be hurt if we hadn’t forgotten all about them three or four years ago. They’re the cousins who show up 10 minutes before Thanksgiving dinner and force us to start unfolding card tables to make space at dinner. Don’t they have their own house to go to?’

‘Does it feel good to play with better health? “Yeah it does in a sense, but at the end of the day the most important thing for us is winning the game,” he said.’

‘Jackson said this has been the most frustrating season of his career. The Bills are paying him $1.75 million this season to be the third-string QB, to carry a clipboard. This Sunday in Toronto, he’ll almost surely be inactive against his former team, the Seahawks.’

‘Scott also runs his own foundation, called Pick Your Passion for the Arts. He coordinates an “ARTventure” program to take students from Buffalo’s Falk School on monthly field trips to different art and music venues throughout the area. The foundation runs a scholarship and provides students in the Atlanta area financial assistance for arts education. Scott is an accomplished musician, who sings and plays piano, drums and saxophone.’

‘He’s already had a busier week as the Buffalo coaching staff has been picking his brain for information about the Seahawks. “We’ve talked to him a lot about personnel,” said coach Chan Gailey. “Not so much scheme, but what he feels about their guys’ strengths and weaknesses, we’ve talked to him a lot.”‘

‘Gailey admitted Wednesday that Lynch was the odd man out at that time because the Bills had Jackson and Spiller on the roster. “I guess we liked those other two guys better at that point,” said Gailey. “You have to make decisions that are good for the football team based on the talent you have and the talent you have accumulated. We were loaded up there and we took advantage of the opportunity to get value.”‘

‘He’s uncomfortable talking about his own goals, or own accomplishments, especially when they are in contrast to the team’s success. Such as when he was asked Wednesday if he now wishes he’d had his wrist surgery much earlier in the season. “No,” he said without hesitation, “because I would have missed a game then, for sure. Regardless of what happened, you don’t want to miss a game in your first year in a new place. You’ve got to suck it up … I’m glad I did it during the bye week.”‘

‘After allowing an average of 177 rushing yards through the first seven games, the Bills have allowed only 85 per game since — nearly a 100-yard per-game difference. That’s a stunning turnaround.’

‘According to the team’s website, jersey sales have increased by 274% at the two team retail locations and online since since the Seahawks’ new uniforms were unveiled in April.’

‘The Seahawks have been more than happy with their end of the bargain. In 21/2 seasons and 40 games with Seattle, Lynch has rushed for over 3,000 yards (3,043) yards and 27 touchdowns, giving Carroll the workhorse running back he desired.’

‘”We went after him for a long time,” Carroll said. “I just kept bugging John and bugging John. I mean, it was eight or nine weeks. We had been on it through the offseason and all that. John probably called them back 10 times to get this done.”‘

Sidney Rice in walking boot, availability for Bills game in doubt (Seattle Times)

Lynch doesn’t want to talk about Buffalo in rearview (Tacoma News Tribune)

Tight end Zach Miller the offensive line’s captain of crunch (Tacoma News Tribune)

Best of times for Seahawks’ Lynch (Everett Herald)

Lynch’s past, present meet as Seattle faces Bills (AP)

Seattle WR Sidney Rice has bruised foot (AP)

WR Sidney Rice could miss Bills game (CBS Sports)

Matt Flynn Finally Sees The Field For The Seahawks (KSTW-TV)

Lynch’s production speaks for itself, and him (Seahawks.com)

Seahawks to Wear Alternate Wolf Grey Uniforms in Toronto Matchup vs. Buffalo (Seahawks.com)

‘Spiller takes over as the unquestioned starter, giving him the opportunity to build on what’s already been a breakout season.’

‘When Lynch was traded from Buffalo early in the 2010 season, he needed the change. Lynch had been seeking a fresh start after his reputation in Buffalo took a hit following his off-field troubles that included a June 2008 traffic violation where he struck a female pedestrian with his car and a guilty plea on a March 2009 misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. Police discovered a semiautomatic handgun in a backpack in the trunk of a parked car Lynch was sitting in. The gun charge resulted in a three-game league suspension.’