‘Klein’s performance over the Bills’ past three games has been remarkable. Now amid a three-game sack streak, during that span, Klein has recorded 30 tackles, four and a half sacks, five tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He has played over 90 percent of the snaps in each of Buffalo’s past three games, a big reason being the absence of starting linebacker Matt Milano who has been on injured reserve with a pec injury.’
Archives for December 2020
Sunday’s San Francisco Coverage
49ers’ Trent Williams: Bout with COVID-19 was ‘toughest thing’ in his career (San Francisco Chronicle)
Former 49ers tackle Joe Staley is happy and healthier in retirement (San Francisco Chronicle)
Colin Kaepernick’s 49ers rookie jersey sells for record price at auction (San Francisco Chronicle)
Coronavirus was 49ers’ Trent Williams’ toughest opponent in career that included cancer bout (San Jose Mercury News)
49ers notebook: Williams details tough COVID fight; Moseley questionable for Bills game (Sacramento Bee)
Sherman moving on from calf issue, eager for Bills-49ers (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Sherman says return to 49ers in 2021 ‘not looking likely’ (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Williams admits COVID-19 battle was toughest fight of career (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers CB Williams out vs. Bills; Moseley questionable (NBC Sports Bay Area)
MNF analyst Riddick still unsure on 49ers’ QB decision (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers icon Staley interested in returning to NFL as coach (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Deebo or DK? Takeo Spikes debates better young wide receiver (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Richard Sherman: Re-signing with 49ers ‘not looking likely’ (KNBR-AM)
49ers Notebook: ‘Toughest thing’ in Trent Williams’ career, how Kyle Shanahan spends his downtime (KNBR-AM)
Josh Allen takes subtle jab at NFC East when breaking down Buffalo’s chances to win AFC East division
‘”We’re sitting at 8-3, and eight wins doesn’t win the division — unless you’re in the NFC East,” Allen said with a smile. “In all seriousness, coach (Bills head coach Sean) McDermott preaches playoff caliber and our goal is to get into the playoffs. Once you get into the playoffs, anyone has a chance to win it. The easiest way to get into the playoffs is to win your division.”‘
DB’s vs. Deebo: Bills know challenge of facing 49ers receiver
‘“Man it’s tough because he can run routes and catch the ball,” defensive back Tre’Davious White said. “Once he gets the ball behind the line he turns into a running back. He’s a big guy, he can run fast too so he presents a challenge. Also, I think he’s number one or two in the league in YAC yards so once he gets the ball after contact he’s a guy that can break two or three tackles against teams going up the field so we have to gang tackle him he’s a big strong physical guy so if we can get to him before he gets going I think our chances are far better than when he gets going.”’
Bills seek improvement in ground game against top-10 run defenses
‘”The things that we’ve been doing as an offense happen to be working,” Bills running back Zack Moss said. “Now that we get into this stretch … it’s very, very important that we finish out the season on a strong note, for a lot of reasons.”‘
Injury Report | Bills have full practice participation heading into 49ers game
‘All the players on Buffalo’s roster are available to play on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers.’
What Bills fans need to know about the 2020 AFC playoff race | Week 13
‘The Patriots’ chances of climbing back into the division race diminish with each passing week, but their win over the Cardinals kept their hopes alive. They sit three games back from the Bills (and two from the Dolphins) with five weeks remaining.’
Bills Today | ESPN offers some fantasy football advice for every team
‘When the Bills need to move the chains, they turn to Beasley in the slot. As he continues toward a career year in nearly every category, Beasley should be a larger part of the Bills’ passing game this week than he was against the Chargers last week. Expect Diggs to see his usual workload, but Beasley will be relied upon to pick up chunk gains against a tough 49ers defense.’
For Bachas, Bills’ success must be enjoyed at home
‘It isn’t all bad. The Bills happen to be 6-0 when Ron watches from his back porch, and Barry gets to watch the games with his wife. “She tells me I’m yelling too much,” Barry joked. “But she hates Tom Brady more than I do, so she’s definitely a keeper.”’
Bills teammates happy Jordan Poyer finally ‘getting notoriety that he should’
‘”Po has been playing lights out for us,” Hyde told reporters. “He can rush the quarterback, he can tackle, he can cover, he can do it all for us. It’s good to see that he’s finally getting the recognition. He’s been a Pro Bowl player for us the last four years. He’d better get it this year. There’s no way, in my mind, that he cannot get it this year.”‘
X’s and O’s: How 49ers’ run scheme will make Bills’ D react on the fly
‘Just like the Rams, the 49ers try to confuse the defense with misdirection. However, the run scheme of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is more varied and complex than that of the Rams, because the 49ers use a lot of 21 personnel (fullback) and 12 personnel (two tight ends). The Rams used almost all 11 personnel (three wideouts) vs. the Bills.’
Bills’ Matt Milano almost back, impact on A.J. Klein’s role, & Tremaine Edmunds a ‘true MLB’
‘To McDermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s credit, they remained confident in Klein despite some obvious lapses in coverage and as a tackler in some of those first starts. To be fair to Klein, his first start was at middle linebacker for Tremaine Edmunds, who was dealing with an injured shoulder. Once Edmunds returned a week later, Klein was forced to learn a new position despite his deep understanding of McDermott’s scheme from years ago. The patience displayed by everyone involved allowed the Bills defense to find itself. A group that seemed unrecognizable in the first two months of the season because of its inability to get stops and keep teams from running up the score, has re-gained its identity at the perfect time – when the games are going to start to matter more and more.’
Bills’ Josh Allen: ‘8 wins doesn’t win you the division unless you’re… in the NFC East’
‘Everything about the response was perfect including Allen’s pause before delivering the punchline.’
Saturday’s San Francisco Coverage
After long absence, 49ers’ Richard Sherman says he’s overcome his calf issues (San Francisco Chronicle)
Robert Saleh in 2021? Michigan politicians lobby for Lions to hire 49ers coach (San Francisco Chronicle)
49ers’ Robert Saleh being courted to coach Detroit Lions, if Michigan politicians have any say (San Jose Mercury News)
49ers notebook: Sherman says calf issues are behind him as he’s used at safety; Samuel returns to practice (Sacramento Bee)
Deebo returns to full practice in preparation to face Bills (NBC Sports Bay Area)
How 49ers’ Deebo Samuel stacks up with Seahawks’ DK Metcalf (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Shanahan keeping eye on 49ers’ mental health in Arizona move (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Shanahan explains why he wants Sherman to re-sign with 49ers (NBC Sports Bay Area)
How Saleh is learning to gain trust with Kinlaw’s instincts (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers’ Saleh focused on Bills prep, not Lions HC opening (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Michigan legislators urge Lions to hire 49ers DC Saleh (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers GM Lynch quips Kinlaw’s pick-six came due to fatigue (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers Notebook: Jimmie Ward really, really likes to play football, Saleh (sort of) responds to Michigan lawmakers (KNBR-AM)
John Lynch breaks down whiplash of Santa Clara County’s decision to boot 49ers (KNBR-AM)
Michigan lawmakers lobbying Detroit Lions to hire Robert Saleh as next head coach (KNBR-AM)
Despite Rough Season, 49ers DC Robert Saleh Seen As Prime Head Coach Candidate (KPIX-TV)
Morning Report: Fred Warner Named to ESPN’s 25 Under 25, Greg Papa Previews Bills vs. 49ers (49ers.com)
Limiting Turnovers Key for Nick Mullens and 49ers to Remain in the Hunt (49ers.com)
Kyle Shanahan Making a Point of Putting Players’ Well-Being First Amid 49ers Relocation (49ers.com)
Bills active roster very healthy headed into weekend
‘Although there’s still one final day of practice remaining and Friday’s session was a walk-through, not one player on the active roster was even limited in practice due to injury.’