Bills Training Camp, Day One: Open Thread

by Brian Galliford on Jul 25, 2008 8:33 AM EDT in Events Comment 12 comments

The Buffalo Bills are set to kick off their first practice of 2008 Training Camp in just a few moments, sans OT Jason Peters and top draft pick CB Leodis McKelvin. McKelvin is expected to be signed relatively soon - perhaps even soon enough to get him onto the field for this afternoon's practice, which starts at 2:15 PM - but there will be no such luck for Peters.

If you're headed to training camp today, we'd love to hear from you later on this afternoon if you feel up to it. Be sure to check out the official site's coverage, and if you're traveling today, WGR 550 should have top-notch coverage as well. Use this open thread to report any developments or discuss what you see/hear on the field as the Bills strap on the pads for the first time.

Update #3: BuffaloBills.com has posted its practice report from this morning's inaugural practice. Check it out; we'll break it down in-depth later on this afternoon.

Update #2: It's been revealed that Kyle Williams was excused from today's practice so that he could be present for the birth of his second child. Now that's a good reason to miss camp. I believe that congrats are in order to Kyle and his family. Good news indeed!

Update #1: Peters, McKelvin and DT Kyle Williams are not present for the morning session, according to Chris Brown. No word on why Williams is absent to this point.

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Kyle Williams was excused because his wife just had their second baby. Nothing to worry about there.

by Krenn on Jul 25, 2008 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep, just updated the post to reflect that. :)

by Brian Galliford on Jul 25, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Congrats, Kyle

Having a child is quite a life event. Glad you could be there with your wife to experience it together.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Jul 25, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Waiver of fines

I always hear about fines for missing training camp if you hold out, but isn’t it true that when a star player returns (with or without a new contract), one condition he gets for returning is that the fines are waived? I think that is one concession the team always gives in return for the player ending the hold out (I could be wrong). I don’t think the fines are mandatory, and if that is the case, it really is moot to talk about “fines” as an incentive to return.

by labill on Jul 25, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Leodis should sign soon

Since the10th player drafted, Jarod Mayo and the 12th pick Ryan Clady have signed their deals, Leodis should just be waiting for his contract to come off the printer to sign it!........ just waiting on Mr. Peters now

by LuBAR on Jul 25, 2008 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Per the first report

All seems status quo in Chris Brown’s report. Rookies don’t line up in starting roles, as the Dick Jauron style goes, and Edwards seems to be the best QB on the field. 10 for 10, check down or not, is a good way to start a practice or a game for that matter. I think passing can be like running in the sense, or at least the west coast sense, that you can pick them apart underneath, but as soon as a defense gives a little, you take a mile. Optimism at an all time high in recent years

Protect ya neck!

by killascript on Jul 25, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great to hear

that crossing routes are being worked back into the offensive scheme. Jim Kelly to Andre Reed over the middle on a crossing route used to be a bread-and-butter play in the Bills’ playbook. It’s simple and it works.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Jul 25, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

crossing

I think it would be a great addition to the playbook and I said something to this affect on another thread, that Andre Reed has tp be the best if not on e of the best ever at the crossing route. Unfortunately I think Jerry Rice was a pretty avid receiver of such routes as well. I would also like to see some Reed highlights if anyone has some.

Protect ya neck!

by killascript on Jul 25, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The anatomy of Fines

I was wondering also about what actually happens when a player is fined? What are the administrative details when a player receives a fine? Can a player that holds out have his fines rescinded by his new contract? If not, how long, in terms of days, does the player have to pay the fine? Can he simply use his new signing bonus and wipe them out in all one fell swoop? If so, then it seems that the fines are essentially without force, and would do little do deter a player from violating his contract terms.

To put the question in concrete terms:

has Peters even paid the 8000 + fine he received for skipping mandatory minicamp?

by spavery on Jul 25, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs