‘“I think Gandhi said this, ‘You find yourself when you lose yourself in the generosity toward people,’ ” Norman told reporters Thursday. “It’s one of those things where I know what my purpose is in life. And I know I have to give to people and others. If I went through this life and I had a Hall of Fame career and you think of me just as that, then I’ve failed you. If I haven’t done something to have a Hall of Fame career in my philanthropy, then I don’t want to be known as anything because I’m just a vampire sucking air.”’
Archives for December 4, 2020
Bills notebook: A.J. Klein honored as AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week
‘“Personal accolades are just a testament to what we’ve been doing as a defense, to be honest,” Klein said. “I was lucky enough to be put in position to be able to make plays, but that goes with the defensive scheme of the coaches and with everybody on the defense doing their jobs. In this league, I take everything with a grain of salt. That’s not the tip of the iceberg and personal accolades are not what we play for, not what I play for, so if we can continue to build and play good football as we have been, we’ll reach our ultimate goal.”’
How will the Bills fare in Monday Night Football against San Francisco 49ers?
‘The 49ers’ defense is legit and will pose a difficult challenge. But the Bills are strong enough on both sides of the ball to hold up well and emerge from Arizona with a happier outcome than their previous trip there. Bills, 28-20.’
View from Vegas: Monday nights have not been alright for Bills
‘Then there is Buffalo’s 1-8 straight up and 1-6-2 against the spread record on Monday Nights in non-division games. Which fits like a glove with the clincher: The Niners are 45-21 straight up and 46-19-1 against the spread on Mondays since 1980, including 8-2 straight up and against the spread versus AFC opponents (7-0 straight up and against the spread in the last seven).’
Voice of the Fan: And the outstanding performance in a drama goes to … the Bills
‘For the Bills’ defense, Ed Oliver is clearing taking drama lessons from Jerry Hughes, wreaking havoc all over the field all while drawing infuriating and unforced unnecessary roughness and encroachment penalties. Hughes, for his part, has left most of that part of his game in the past, and had another concrete outing.’
Bills rookie Zack Moss starting to settle in and is taking on a bigger role
‘There are mitigating factors at play, most notably the Bills’ newfound reliance on Allen and the passing game, and the inability of the offensive line to find continuity with a set group which seems to have been more problematic in the run game. Too many times Singletary and Moss have been under siege almost as soon as Allen has handed them the ball.’
A.J. Klein’s AFC player of the week honor is one of several big individual Bills performances
‘“We had an outside linebacker in Matt Milano who has been very, very productive in that role,” said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. “We didn’t know if A.J. could do some of the things that we ask Matt to do, but as we’ve gotten more comfortable with him and he’s gotten more comfortable in our system, we’ve seen him play some much-improved football. That’s a credit to A.J. just sticking with it and making himself available and then when his number is called, making those plays that are there for him to make.”’
49ers HC hoped Bills’ Josh Allen would come out in 2017 NFL Draft
‘“It was him with a number of other guys,” said Shanahan. “Guys I was hoping were going to come out earlier, but they didn’t and so we looked at guys more that year and next year we had Jimmy (Garoppolo).”’
Bills LB A.J. Klein named AFC Defensive Player of the Week
‘Klein was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after he recorded 14 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for a loss, one pass breakup, and 1.5 sacks in the Bills’ 27-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. This is the first time Klein, 29, has received the award in his eight-year career.’
49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner and Bills’ nemesis Josh Allen set for Year 3 showdown
‘“He’s always had that strong arm that everybody’s talked about, but he has continued to progress as a true NFL quarterback,” Warner said via video conference from Glendale, Ariz., where the 49ers have relocated this month amid Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports.’
Warner gives scouting report on ‘amazing’ Bills QB Allen
‘”He’s always had that strong arm that everybody has talked about, but he’s continued to progress as a true NFL quarterback,” Warner told reporters Thursday. “Just with him going through his reads and making the big-time throws, being able to progress in his read throughout a play.”‘
How 49ers, Bills both found successful coach-GM pairings
‘“Everyone has a different philosophy on it, I’m sure,” McDermott said when NBC Sports Bay Area asked him this week about the importance of the coach-GM union. ”My philosophy and our philosophy here is that you got to be aligned and be on the same page. It doesn’t mean that you have to agree on everything. That’s probably not even a heathy approach to agree on everything.’
Friday’s San Francisco Coverage
49ers think their past has prepared them for a long, strange trip (San Francisco Chronicle)
49ers’ Nick Mullens highlights injured teammate Jamar Taylor (San Francisco Chronicle)
Before you ‘boo hoo’ the 49ers, think beyond the millionaires on Arizona ‘island’ (San Francisco Chronicle)
49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner and Bills’ nemesis Josh Allen set for Year 3 showdown (San Jose Mercury News)
Deebo Samuel held out as 49ers begin practicing in Arizona for Bills’ visit (San Jose Mercury News)
Kyle Shanahan scoffs at county official Jeff Smith’s pointed criticism of 49ers’ ‘values’ (San Jose Mercury News)
Camp Glendale: What it’s like for the San Francisco 49ers in new desert environment (Sacramento Bee)
49ers notes: Shanahan hopes continuity can spark offense; Mullens lauds injured teammate (Sacramento Bee)
49ers Head To New Home In Arizona To Host Bills (AP)
George Kittle speaks on potential comeback and shows off his ‘My Cause My Cleats’ (CBS Sports)
Deebo held out of 49ers’ first practice in new Arizona home (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Aiyuk rejoins 49ers’ now-healthy playmakers preparing for Bills (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Shanahan, Mullens focused on 49ers reducing turnovers (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Mullens expresses appreciation for injured 49ers CB Taylor (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Sherman believes Ward deserves more credit as top safety (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Young says ‘connective tissue’ of 49ers’ roster fueled Rams win (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers shade Donald’s Deebo diss with ‘Jeopardy!’ video (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Simms excited by thought of Stafford in the 49ers’ offense (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers will re-sign stars Sherman and Williams, PFF predicts (NBC Sports Bay Area)
How 49ers, Bills both found successful coach-GM pairings (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Warner gives scouting report on ‘amazing’ Bills QB Allen (NBC Sports Bay Area)
NFL Week 13 burning questions: Would healthy 49ers be playoff nightmare? (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers Notebook: Adjusting to life in Arizona, and Mullens’ unsolicited praise of ‘silent leader’ (KNBR-AM)
Frustrated Kyle Shanahan responds to criticism from Santa Clara County executive (KNBR-AM)
Murph: The 49ers’ lousy season has somehow gotten worse (KNBR-AM)
Morning Report: Three 49ers Make PFF’s Updated All-Pro List, My Cause My Cleats (49ers.com)
Is Week 13 a Must-win for the 49ers? 5 Things to Watch For vs. Bills (49ers.com)
Kyle Juszczyk Nominated for 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award (49ers.com)
Bills LB Klein Makes Impact Filling In For Injured Milano
‘“I know how this league works. I understand my role,” Klein said. “Whether or not my role changes, that’s not a concern to me. All I have to do is try to obviously maximize the time that I have on the field.”’
49ers Set To Host Bills In Temporary Arizona Home
‘San Francisco is 1-4 at Levi’s Stadium this season and 4-2 away from home. So playing in Arizona might not be such a negative.’