Two Bills Drive

Mike Shepherd is probably going to be replaced as Buffalo’s OC after this year. It will be interesting to see if GM Tom Donahoe, who in the past has been a Kevin Gilbride fan, brings Gilbride in as the OC there.

‘Lately, the Bills have done very well on Sunday nights, going 10-4 on the late Sunday games since the series started in 1990 on TNT, and winning their last four, with their last loss coming five years ago. Buffalo has also managed that solid record despite the fact that only five of those games were played in Orchard Park, with the Bills holding a respectable 5-4 mark on Sunday night road games.’

WR Eric Moulds is coming off his best game of the season and one of his finest as a pro. Against Miami’s third-ranked pass defense, Moulds caught six passes for a career-high tying 196 yards and two TDs. The scores came on an 80-yard catch and run in the first quarter and a one-handed grab for a 54-yard TD in the third. The 196 receiving yards represent the NFL’s highest single-game total (regulation) this season and tie for fifth most in team history. The last Bill with more was James Lofton’s 220 on 10/21/91 vs. Cincy. The two TDs moved him into sole possession of fifth place on the team’s receiving TD list with 27 (Pete Metzelaars, 25).

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Flowers just doesn’t seem to possess the drive that an Aaron Schobel or a Bryce Fisher has. When asked about Flowers lack of attitude Williams tried to defend his player, “You can be one way off the field and be one way on the field. Being physical, that’s part of being a great defensive lineman and a great, dominant defensive line in general as a whole. He’s played physical.”

‘Sunday night, the 49ers will host a Buffalo Bills team (1-9) that has struggled after unloading a wealth of veteran defensive talent. Sound familiar, San Francisco fans?’

‘Hearst’s comeback is remarkable. Since spending two years rehabilitating from four ankle surgeries, he has not just returned to the NFL but to elite status.’

Jeb (Tallahassee): Mort, pleased to meet you. What do you think of Alex Van Pelt?

Chris Mortensen: (9:16 PM ET ) I think if Alex Van Pelt decided to get real serious about his conditioning and being a starter in the NFL, he would have a chance. The opportunity obviously is right there in Buffalo. He’s got a little Jim Kelly in him, froma leadership standpoint. He’s extremely popular in the locker room.’

‘"It’s great to have him," defensive end Marcellus Wiley said. "That’s ‘Clutch’ Christie."’

‘"I just don’t think it [my release] was handled properly," he said. "They sort of bumbled a few other guys, too. It’s certainly not the way the Bills used to handle things. I’ll leave it at that."’

‘One league source told The Chronicle and an NFL columnist later warned that coach Steve Mariucci could be pushed out by the end of the season in favor of general manager Terry Donahue. When the notion surfaced at 49ers headquarters, Donahue and Mariucci immediately met. "We laughed about it," Mariucci said. Donahue concurred that there’s nothing to the rumors.’

‘Hearst, named the NFC offensive player of the week Wednesday, will become a free agent after this season because of a clause that voids the final two years of his contract.’

‘With their rights to the 3Com Park name set to expire at the end of the current football season, officials with the Santa Clara-based networking company said Wednesday that they remain open to extending their agreement with the 49ers but suggested it would have to be on different terms.’

‘Injured wide receiver Terrell Owens was a spectator at Wednesday’s practice and he may be watching from the sideline Sunday night, when the 49ers play the Buffalo Bills.’

‘"But first things first. Buffalo is the next round."’