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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 2, 2009

Bills' Lynch is off suspension


Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Marshawn Lynch stood at his locker speaking mostly in a monotone voice, when the Buffalo Bills running back was finally asked what happened to his confidence-oozing "Beast Mode" — as he likes to call it — personality.

"Still the same old me," Lynch said. "Ain't going to change."

The circumstances, however, may have changed now that Lynch has returned from serving an NFL-imposed three-game suspension as the Bills (1-2) prepare to play at Miami (0-3) this weekend.

In Lynch's absence, the Bills running attack didn't lose a step behind Fred Jackson, who was the offense's most valuable player through September. Jackson has been the workhorse and leads the team with 291 yards rushing and 134 yards receiving to rank second in the NFL with 425 yards from scrimmage.

Lynch, who is close friends with Jackson, is the first to stress that he's impressed and pleased with how Jackson performed. Lynch also said he doesn't care whether he's considered the team's No. 1 running back.

Lynch returned in good shape, but there are questions as to how game-ready he is after spending the past three weeks working on his own.

Coach Dick Jauron said the plan is to ease Lynch back in, though he didn't rule out splitting the playing time evenly between the two.

To make room on the roster for Lynch, the Bills placed starting cornerback Leodis McKelvin on season-ending injured reserve. McKelvin had been ruled out indefinitely after breaking his leg in the first half of a 27-7 loss to New Orleans on Sunday.

EAGLES

NIKE: NO CONTRACT WITH VICK

Nike wanted to make this clear yesterday: The company is supplying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick with shoes and gear and apparel, nothing more.

"Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick," Nike said in a statement yesterday. "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike."

49ERS

COFFEE WILL CARRY THE LOAD

The San Francisco 49ers are putting their offense in the hands of rookie running back Glen Coffee.

The third-round draft pick will carry the load in the team's power rushing attack the next few weeks with regular starter Frank Gore out with an injury to his right ankle.

Coffee had 25 carries for 54 yards during last week's loss in Minnesota after replacing Gore, who was injured on his first carry of the game.

SHORT SNAPS

Browns: Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and kicker Phil Dawson (knee) missed their second straight day of practice and may have to sit out Sunday's game against Cincinnati. Both did not play last week.

Cowboys: Dallas owner Jerry Jones says running back Marion Barber should play Sunday against Denver. Barber missed Monday night's 21-7 victory against Carolina after injuring a thigh the previous week. He was close to ready Monday, but the medical staff decided to hold him out.

Dolphins: Miami linebacker Joey Porter sat out practice for the second day in a row because of a sore hamstring, and could miss a game for only the seventh time in his 11-year career. It's uncertain whether he'll play Sunday against Buffalo.

Jets: New York cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring) and safeties Kerry Rhodes (knee) and Jim Leonhard (knee) fully participated in practice and appear set to play against the New Orleans Saints.

Seahawks: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck missed another practice and is likely to miss a second consecutive game Sunday at Indianapolis. The three-time Pro Bowler broke a rib at San Francisco Sept. 20.

Vikings: Quarterback Brett Favre is on Minnesota's injury report for the first time this season. The 39-year-old quarterback was listed as being limited in practice because of a foot injury, but is expected to play against Green Bay on Monday.

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