Game Day Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 1/2

Several coaches enter the offseason on the hot seat. - The Buffalo News
"I was just operated on [on] the 10th of December," Gilchrist said. "The doctors felt good about how it went. I feel very good about it. We'll see what happens. I want to wish all the Buffalo Bills fans a happy new year."

Inside The Bills | Fitz at stadium early
"Ryan Fitzpatrick is heading to the stadium early this morning. The Bills starting QB has said he’s made an effort to do whatever he can to be healthy enough for today’s game, and going to the stadium early presumably for one last treatment before testing it out on the field is the latest example."

Two years, $10.5 million for Merriman, with chance to make a lot more | ProFootballTalk
"The obvious question is, given the value of the deal, why didn’t Merriman wait for a shot at the open market? As we pointed out earlier today, Merriman’s agent undoubtedly made enough off-the-record calls to get a feel for the player’s value as a free agent. The fact that he didn’t wait suggests that the Bills made the best offer."

Merriman
Bills re-sign Merriman - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills put in a waiver claim on Shawne Merriman at midseason hoping to jumpstart their pass rush with a Pro Bowl talent. Though an Achilles injury prevented that from happening in 2010, the Bills ensured they’ll have the outside linebacker for 2011 and beyond. Buffalo signed Merriman to a new contract Saturday."

Inside The Bills | Merriman provides options
"Prior to the Merriman signing most believed a premier pass rusher would be Buffalo’s top pick if Luck was not an option. Now with Merriman in the fold however, the Bills would appear to have more options instead of perhaps being locked in to a position or two."

Nix is wishing on a fading star - Jerry Sullivan - The Buffalo News
"My initial reaction was why. Why would Merriman sign with the Bills when he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, with the right to peddle his services to all 32 teams? Why rush into this deal and eliminate a precious opportunity to test the waters for the highest bidder? The answer is the same as it was when Terrell Owens came to our town. It was the best offer he could get."

Bills ink Merriman to contract extension - Bills & NFL - The Buffalo News
"We feel he should make a full recovery and be healthy," Nix said. "There's risk involved in anything. Drafting a 21-year-old has risk involved."

Buffalo Bills sign Shawne Merriman to two-year contract | Democrat and Chronicle
"We believe he should make a full recovery and be healthy," said general manager Buddy Nix, who was with the Chargers when they drafted Merriman in the first round in 2005. "We had been working on it and we agreed on it and got everything signed this morning. I know he's a leader. He's been a Pro Bowler. He's only 26-years old and if he's healthy he'll make plays for us and help us win games."

Bills extend Shawne Merriman gamble - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Merriman's extension would have been met with notably more fanfare two months ago, but his profile has nosedived even more since the Bills picked him up off waivers from the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 3."

Twitter / @Andrew Brandt
"Yesterday was deadline for NFL teams to extend players and apply $ towards 2010. Appears only Bills (Merriman) did so, sign of uncertainty."

Bills-Jets
Bills-Jets Preview - BuffaloBills.com
The AP's look at today's game.

Gameday Tipsheet - Week 17 - BuffaloBills.com
The last tip sheet of the year features some great stuff from Chris Brown.

Bills Focus: Jets Preview with Chan Gailey (3:22) - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills Head Coach talks about stopping the Jets running game, who might fill in at wide receiver this week, and if he feels Brian Brohm is ready to start if needed."

Bils vs. Jets Preview (2:10) - BuffaloBills.com
NFL Network previews the Bills-Jets.

Inside The Bills | Lineup changes change things
"Knowing that the Jets are likely to pull Mark Sanchez from the game early and some other starters may not even play like Antonio Cromartie or Darrelle Revis, it makes coordinators adjust on the fly and change things as the opponent’s personnel changes.""

Inside The Bills | Focus for ‘D’ is Jets run
"What we have to do is make sure that we stop the run," said Gailey. "That’s the one thing I’ve told (defensive coordinator) George (Edwards) this week is let’s stop the run. We’ll worry about getting a hold of those (receivers) down the field at whatever point in time we need to do that."

Matchup with Jets presents a delicate balance for Bills - The Buffalo News
You really need to check out the graphic on this Buffalo News article. The article itself is about balancing the high draft pick with winning the game.

Jets may treat this one like a preseason game - Bills & NFL - The Buffalo News
Allen Wilson predicts a Bills victory today as the Jets will be looking to the playoffs.

Buffalo Bills out to impress in season finale | Democrat and Chronicle
"Every week," coach Chan Gailey replied when asked if players are playing for their jobs. "All of us, everybody, that's the way it is in our business. What have you done for me lately?"

5 Things To Watch For During Bills - Jets - WGR 550 SportsRadio
Joe Buscaglia's five important things to watch today.

Jets' goals vs. Bills: Keep Sanchez sharp — and everyone healthy - NYPOST.com
"This is how today’s Jets-Bills game at the Meadowlands is going to go: Most of the Jets starters will play, but few will play the entire game — much the way NFL teams play their third preseason game each year."

Rex Ryan won't risk vs. Buffalo Bills as bigger prize awaits in playoffs - NY Daily News
"You definitely want to end on a good note," said Tomlinson, who admitted that he doesn't care that he's 86 yards shy of his ninth 1,000-yard season. "You want to be playing your best football at this time, so you want the momentum of winning the game. (But) it's also a dress rehearsal to make sure you're covering everything you need to do at this time to be ready to go for next week."

Bills, Jets looking to win for different reasons - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
The Associated Press looks forward to today's game.

More Bills Links
Sports, Ink - Blogs - The Buffalo News
On this date in 1999, the Buffalo Bills lost their Wild Card playoff game to the Miami Dolphins.

QB depth in draft may not give Bills options - Larry Felser - The Buffalo News
Larry Felser still thinks the Bills need to draft a QB, Rob Gronkowski should have been the pick over Torell Troup, and Chan Gailey is doing a good job in the second half of the year.