Bills Training Camp ends without Peters, Edwards
2008 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College came to a close today, and the Bills were without perhaps their two most valuable offensive players. Jason Peters failed to report for the final day of camp - it's still unclear if (not when) Peters plans to report at all - and quarterback Trent Edwards, nursing a deep thigh bruise, sat out Wednesday's morning practice finale.
Peters missed all 26 days of Bills camp - accumulating nearly $400,000 in fines in the process - and all indications are that his holdout will continue as the Bills return to their headquarters in Orchard Park tomorrow. The Bills still have, and are expected to exercise, their right to fine Peters up to $15,000 per day during his unexcused absence. While some Bills players, including OG Derrick Dockery, are hopeful that Peters will report soon, it's pretty safe to say that the fan base is not.
Edwards, who injured his knee during Tuesday night's practice in a collision with RB Marshawn Lynch on a simple run play, watched the day's practice in sweatpants from the sideline. His injury is not considered serious, but he is day to day at this point, and it's still unclear whether or not Edwards will suit up for Buffalo's third pre-season game in Indianapolis this Sunday. Lynch, meanwhile, experienced only minor swelling and pain in his knee and was able to practice in full on Wednesday.
Besides Edwards, also missing practice Wednesday were WR James Hardy (hamstring), WR Roscoe Parrish (knee), TE Derek Schouman (knee), OT Matt Murphy (shoulder), LB John DiGiorgio (calf) and LB Jon Banks (hamstring).
Rather than going through the usual practice reports (located here and here), we'll instead take a quick look back at training camp as a whole by doing the whole cliched and overdone "Stock Report" thing. Here's who helped themselves and hurt themselves during 2008 Bills Training Camp:
+ Bullish: CB Ashton Youboty Left for dead after the signing of Will James and the drafting of Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner, no cornerback has been more impressive to date than Youboty. He's given up some big plays, but he's also flashed outstanding tackling ability and solid ball skills. He's fought hard for a roster spot, and deserves to make the team's final roster. Time will tell whether his work has paid off.
- Bearish: RB Dwayne Wright He's come down with a serious case of fumble-itis this pre-season (including one in each pre-season game) and it's costing him. Xavier Omon has started to steal reps ahead of him, and the second-year pro is in danger of losing his #3 RB role to the rookie out of Division II NW Missouri State.
+ Bullish: OT Demetrius Bell He only started playing football in 2005, but Bell has been impressive to date. He's very green and shouldn't be much more than a depth player, but Bell has big-time potential. He's gotten a lot of opportunities with Peters holding out and with Murphy and Patrick Estes injured, and he hasn't disappointed.
- Bearish: LB Keith Ellison Routinely out of position on passing downs, Ellison has been responsible (though not the sole LB responsible) for surrendering some large chunks of yardage through the air this pre-season. The Bills are experimenting with John DiGiorgio at outside linebacker, and DiGiorgio could wind up being the primary backup at an outside spot in place of the sliding - but still important - Ellison.
+ Bullish: SS Bryan Scott Donte Whitner has been nicked up a bit, and while the defense has missed him, Scott's play has been excellent. He's continued to show a knack for stopping the run when up in the box, and he hasn't been a liability in coverage. He's involved with nearly every special teams coverage unit as well. You're going to be hearing Scott's name a lot in 2008.
- Bearish: DT John McCargo Once expected to start next to Marcus Stroud at defensive tackle, McCargo started out as the fourth tackle in camp and hasn't earned his way up the depth chart. Currently, Kyle Williams and Spencer Johnson are battling to start next to Stroud, and McCargo doesn't seem to be a large part of the equation. He'll play a lot, but he is decidedly fourth in Buffalo's stellar four-man rotation. That's not great news for the former first-round pick.
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26 comments
Comments
Steven Jackson plans to report to the Rams today. Hopefully, that’ll help pave the way for Parker to get Peters to Buffalo. It better….
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 20, 2008 5:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where’d you hear that? Just curious as I didn’t hear anything on Sirius NFL radio earlier today
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked the stock market, Bear/Bull references. Nice touch.
What are the odds that Ellison gets cut? (open question posed to no one inparticular.)
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Aug 20, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no cut
at least this year… but it’s safe to say that Ellison is a dissapointment. I think they look for an upgrade in the mold of Mitchell (bigger) next off-season (whether through the draft or a reliable vet backup)
John I.
by jri111 on Aug 20, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't call Ellison a disappointment
He’s an undersized, slow 6th round pick. It’s more disappointing that the front office has refused to find someone better than him as our 3rd OLB.
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 20, 2008 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
but for a guy that was full-time starter last year to be talked about getting yet – there is some disappointment there – he should at least be a reliable back-up with experience, but his game has been bad this summer
John I.
by jri111 on Aug 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looks bad
And so DiGorgio in my opinion, at least in pass defense. I am surprised we did anything with these guys last year starting for us. And you guys are hating on Jauron with this LB Corps….you have to play it safe with some of these chumps on defense.
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Bowen may have been there player if not injured, and then next year we will see a higher (3rd-4th rd) pick designated for LB, or best player available. That may also signal the loss of Crowell, or not, even if they take a player in the 1st or 2nd.
Maybe this is early, but I can see, if our season is a winning one with our players staying healthy and taking into account best player available, you might see
1. DE
2. LB
3. C
4. WR/TE – After this, who knows…and again, taking best player available you might see another LB/DE/or Lineman picked here…or, you might even see a Tackle in the first day or early Second depending on you know who…Anyway, a little too early for this
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm, I might switch LB and DE
There has been no news whatsoever that the Bills are looking to keep Crowell this year long term. Now, we might Franchise him (we got more than enough cash for that) to allow Bowen to get back on his feet and push Ellison out while we draft a LB in Rounds 1 or 2. I think if they plan to let Crowell walk, we see a LB in Round 1 and Round 3/4 with a DE sandwhiched in at 2.
The reason being that if we let Angelo go, we might get a 3rd for him in a compensation pick by the league since he is worth more than any person we might bring in at any point this season as Crowell could start for most teams. If Crowell walked and we got say a 3rd for him this is how I would draft:
Rd1- OLB
Rd2- DE
Rd3- C
Rd3- TE
Rd4- OLB
Rd5- T
Rd6- G
Rd7- WR
Rd5- OLB
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Aug 20, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Center! Center! Center!
Looking all the way to the 2009 draft, center is at the top of Buffalo’s list of needs. That doesn’t necessarily mean the team needs to draft a center in the first round but DE and LB play has been better than Fowler’s.
by Ron From NM on Aug 20, 2008 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
But we probably won’t go above 3rd round, and maybe 2nd if there is a phenominal player out there
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it depends on two things; best available player and how Crowell does this year. Mitchell and Poz are locked up for the foreseeable future and depth is needed, but if Crowell plays very well, how much is he worth? Not the Lance Briggs money I don’t think, but we’d have to see. He will playing for a big contract this year,m so for the sake of our 08 Bills I hope he plays probowl worthy, but as for long term, it may signal his departure outside of a franchise tag
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could this be
part of the reason to switch Jon Corto to LB? Is the FO planning to part ways with Ellison?
Get the Bills back to the big game!
by Blitz on Aug 21, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also like the stock market reference as well, because it gives way to the idea of speculation, much as the market. Alot goes on in the offseason and preseason about how a player will be in the regular season, and there are always surprises good or bad
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scott
Wow. I just completely disagree about Scott in passing coverage. The rest I agree with. I saw Scott miss badly on a couple plays in the Skins 2nd drive (one on Portis in the flat), and also saw him out of place on I believe it was a Hines Ward catch in the 2nd quarter of the Steelers game.
If you read any of my previous posts about Peters I have always maintained he will be in camp btw Week 3 & 4 of preseason and I am sticking to it. Again, this holdout has some advantages as the Bills got a chance to prepare in case he gets injured. That could help them down the road more than we realize.
Also, like it or not JP will have a major effect on this season.
by Berg79 on Aug 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Overall, though
Scott’s not bad for a backup SS. Could do worse…
Get the Bills back to the big game!
by Blitz on Aug 21, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like the way we look going into the season
yes were are missing our number one takle and yes Coach D hasn’t had a winnning record since the Bears, but we have some of the best young talent in the AFC. i really want this team to be looked at as underdogs now that we have 3 QBs in the divsion (2 HOFr’s) that all have proven they can play. even Chad, who i hate, has won some games for the Jersey Jets. i truly believe Jauron and Co will make this team play better than there actuall ablities, like last year but we will win in the clutch unlike the previous 10 years. do i have a lot of evidence to prove this, no, but Sh*t this team has been revamped enough times and molded to where the front office really believes in them that i must believe it will work out this year and the forseable future.
BTW just bought my flight home for the Monday nighter and can’t wait section 221 baby!!!
i miss my season tickets, nothing compares to a Bills tailgate.
by pastj12345 on Aug 20, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I got bad news
While driving home, my wife got a call on our cell. My father in law was killed while riding his scooter. I am taking the lead on making arrangements. I will have my hands full for some time, and don’t think I will be posting in the near future. See you all later on down the road.
by Joe P. on Aug 20, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sorry for your loss Joe
My condolences go out to you, your wife and your family.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Aug 20, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Echoed. Thoughts to you and your family.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 21, 2008 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very sorry
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 20, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our thoughts will be with you, Joe
Get the Bills back to the big game!
by Blitz on Aug 21, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your posts will be missed.
Although I know you only through your football posts, my condolences to your family. Come back to the blog when you can. Puts football in proper perspective.
by Defensewinsgames on Aug 22, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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