Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 12/29

Johnson closing in on 1K, wants to stay - BuffaloBills.com
"Johnson sits just 36 yards from becoming the first receiver in Bills history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The top two receivers in team history Andre Reed and Eric Moulds came close, but never stacked one 1,000-yard season on top of another. That production would be difficult to replace if Johnson was not re-signed, and hurt Fitzpatrick’s ability to make plays in the passing game in the process."

Stevie's Swan Song With Bills? - WGR 550
Joe Buscaglia goes through Stevie Johnson's rise to prominence with the Bills.

Bills promote OL Jasper; TE Caussin to I-R - BuffaloBills.com
"(offensive line coach) Joe D’Alessandris has been working on my snaps before practice and turning me into a bit of a center so it’s been kind of fun, but I think I’m a guard first and then a probably tackle second knowing I played there when I was at Tennessee-Martin."

Fitz to make it 16 straight starts - BuffaloBills.com
"When Fitzpatrick lines up for the first play from scrimmage on offense against the Patriots, he’ll become the first Bills quarterback to start all 16 games in a regular season in five years."

George Wilson is Bills-Man of the Year - BuffaloBills.com
"For the second time in his career George Wilson has been recognized for his combination of play on the field and contributions to the community off of it. The Buffalo safety was named the Bills/Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2011."

Bills sign K Coutu; Rayner to I-R - BuffaloBills.com
"In 43 games at Georgia, Coutu converted 51-of-64 field goals and all 109 extra point attempts for 262 points – the sixth-best total in school history."

Chan Gailey Wednesday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
Gailey talks about injuries and facing the Patriots.

Ryan Fitzpatrick Wednesday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
The bearded one's press conference from yesterday.

Stevie Johnson on Patriots, Next Season - BuffaloBills.com
He thinks he'll be back.

Bills Roundup: Focusing on New England - BuffaloBills.com
Chris Brown updates the news of the day.

Inside The Bills | Bills add 2 to practice squad
"Buffalo signed WR David Gilreath and OL Jake Vermiglio to the team’s practice squad Tuesday."

Inside The Bills | Rayner the latest to I-R
"In 2009, Buffalo had 20 players on injured reserve by season’s end. This week Buffalo arguably could’ve placed Kraig Urbik and Demetrius Bell on injured reserve after both suffered serious injuries this past weekend, which would bring the total to 19 this season."

Inside The Bills | Byrd, Levitre make PFF Pro Bowl
"Fred Jackson was also mentioned in their Pro Bowl listings, saying that he would’ve been the starter at halfback were it not for his season-ending leg injury."

Inside The Bills | Urbik to be good by mid-Feb.
"Urbik told Buffalobills.com that he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee, which will require a clean up surgery. That procedure will be performed on Friday."

Inside The Bills | Chan on the move at kicker
"He came up sore again Monday and he’s not sure he can be 100 percent," said Gailey of Rayner. "You can’t take a chance when you walk out there if it’s one kick and done on a cold day or something like that you can’t afford to have that so that’s why we had to make the move."

Inside The Bills | Whitner feels George "got robbed"
"Former Bills safety Donte Whitner felt that George Wilson was snubbed for AFC Pro Bowl honors at the strong safety position."

Inside The Bills | Kelsay awarded 3rd sack
"His hit on Tim Tebow that led to the 17-yard interception return for a touchdown was originally ruled a quarterback hit and INT. The league has since changed it to a sack and forced fumble. So Kelsay’s stat line now reads 9 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss."

Inside The Bills | Belichick wary of Stevie
"He’s dangerous down the field and has catch and run plays like he had against the Giants, where he takes a short pass and turns it into a long play. He’s tough on the catch and run plays, he’s tough in the red zone and he can vertically get down the field as we saw, as the Jets saw. He’s gotten a lot of people, he’s had a lot of production."

Rookie year an education for Dareus - Jerry Sullivan
"Of course, there'll be a Pro Bowl in my future," Dareus said with a laugh. "Hopefully, next year. I'm going into the offseason, work my butt off and get better. There's things I lacked this year."

Bills' O-line holds down sack total - The Buffalo News
"Not since Joe Devlin and Ken Jones were blocking for Joe Ferguson have the Buffalo Bills been as effective at avoiding sacks as this season. Barring a disaster in their season finale at New England on Sunday, the Bills will allow their fewest sacks in 30 years, since the 1981 season."

Stevie thinks he'll be back - The Buffalo News
"I don’t think I’ll be somewhere else next year. I’m still pretty sure I’ll be here next year. But if not, it’s a pretty crazy feeling."

Safety Wilson gets Payton Man of Year award - The Buffalo News
"It's a great honor," Wilson said. "As my platform broadens because of football I just try to shine my light onto the communities that have done so much to help me be the man I am today." Mark Gaughan profiles all of Wilson's off-the-field contributions.

Buffalo Bills O-line hanging tough | Democrat and Chronicle
"Despite losing seven of their last eight games, the Bills have continued to get solid play from their offensive line and that group's season-long performance is one of the few positives Buffalo can carry forward into 2012."

Bills sign kicker Brandon Coutu to replace Dave Rayner | Democrat and Chronicle
"For the first time since 1976, a third placekicker will be taking the field for the Bills in a single season when newly signed Brandon Coutu suits up against New England."

Bill Belichick: C.J. Spiller 'impressive' - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"He's done a great job. We know that he’s an explosive player that is capable of big plays. He’s shown that since he came into the league. He had a long kickoff against us last year. He continues to do it now in every phase of the game, whether it’s pass receiving, he can get down the field, he can take short passes like screen passes and check downs and turn them into long runs."

How to fix the AFC East in 2012 - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Step No. 5: Bills need to spend in free agency" - Gross.

Sanchez-Fitz-Moore Watch - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Fitzpatrick had a lot going for him against the Denver Broncos. Bills running back C.J. Spiller recorded his first 100-yard game, the defense forced four turnovers and Leodis McKelvin returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. Fitzpatrick didn't have to do much. His job was not to mess it up. Fitzpatrick threw for a pedestrian 196 yards but didn't have any turnovers, which was key."

NFL Power Rankings: AFC East - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Power Ranking: No. 25 (up one spot)"

AFC East Stock Watch - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"But one area where McKelvin has been as good as advertised is his ability to return kicks, which came in handy during Buffalo's win over the Denver Broncos. McKelvin set a team record with 136 punt return yards, including an 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter that was Buffalo's final lead change."

ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots-Bills matchup of the day: Tuesday
"Here's a key matchup to watch in the Week 17 regular-season finale between the Patriots and Bills: Bills RB C.J. Spiller vs. Patriots' defense"