2008 Bills Training Camp: Day Fourteen Breakdown

by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2008 8:11 AM EDT in News Comment 18 comments

DE Kelsay, starters not expected to play long (Photo Source)

The Buffalo Bills held their final public night practice prior to their first pre-season game of the season Thursday night, and with it came plenty of news about the team's opening game Saturday night.

Five players, including three prominent veterans, are not expected to dress for the Redskins game. Chief among them are SS Donte Whitner (ankle), LB Angelo Crowell (knee) and WR Josh Reed (back), none of whom will make the trip to Washington as they'll stay in Rochester to get treatment. Bryan Scott, Keith Ellison and Roscoe Parrish are expected to start, respectively, in their place.

Also not making the trip is backup DE Copeland Bryan, who is also dealing with a hamstring issue. TE Tim Massaquoi is doubtful with a groin injury.

Rookie wideout James Hardy, after returning to practice Wednesday, will make his NFL debut in Washington. He is not expected to start, but should see a considerable amount of playing time as the Bills look to streamline his learning curve so that he can have an immediate impact.

With the continued absence of Jason Peters, veteran Langston Walker will get the start at left tackle as the Bills continue to experiment with their best active tackle on Trent Edwards' blind side.

Don't expect to see Buffalo's starters much Saturday night. Edwards revealed last night that starters on both sides of the ball are expected to get between 10 and 20 snaps; they are, however, expected to see much lengthier work loads in the second and third pre-season games.

On the Field
Jauron cut Thursday's practice session a bit short in anticipation of the first pre-season game, but there were, of course, still plays to be made. Buffalo's cornerbacks reportedly made out well:

The cornerbacks were getting their hands on passes early as Terrence McGee broke up a throw from Edwards that was intended for Lee Evans in 7-on-7. Leodis McKelvin also broke up a pass play from J.P. Losman to Roscoe Parrish.

For what it's worth, both passes broken up came on telegraphed passes by Edwards and Losman. Ko Simpson also intercepted a late deep throw from Edwards.

Buffalo's defensive line was once again disruptive, as well:

Jason Jefferson got his hands up and batted a pass attempt by Losman. On another play Kyle Williams, Marcus Stroud and Ryan Denney all got in the backfield to put pressure on Edwards who dumped the ball off to Marshawn Lynch before a sack. John McCargo made a nice penetration move to record what would have been a tackle for loss on Xavier Omon.

The Bills have a quick closed practice Friday before traveling to Washington for the opener. We'll have much more on the Bills' first pre-season game of the 2008 season this afternoon and tomorrow. Football is officially back!

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Another milestone nearly passed

Preseason games are almost here!

Go get’em defense!

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 8, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, go get ‘em for 10 plays…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gee, I thought this was a game, not a scrimmage

Tsk, tsk, Brian, you apparently don’t think much of the backup players. Well, it is preseason…

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 8, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not that at all. I just wish the starters would get more playing time offensively (the D I’m not worried about). We’ve got an O-Line that needs to re-gel and some new working parts…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather not play them that much tomorrow

it’s game one, we don’t need to go completely all out. Save it for next week vs the Steelers and then the Colts. I’d rather the OL get more reps in practice before putting in 30-40 plays against real competition. We don’t need injuries yet.

In the end, it won’t matter if Peters doesn’t show up before the Seattle game. We’re not finishing above .500 without him

by Kurupt on Aug 8, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know

I’m going to say Peters is back by mid-week next week. If he’s not, then I’ll start worrying. Like you said, we are not a winning team without him.

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 8, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not expecting him next week

If anything, maybe before the last preseason game, or during the week leading up to Seattle. Unless he starts talking to the FO, I can’t see him showing up anytime soon.

by Kurupt on Aug 8, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, bold prediction

I’m wondering if you’re basing it on the idea that Jauron, Schonert, and Brandon will see what we have to plug the LT hole tomorrow night, not like it one bit, and make a move to get Jason in camp.
Or perhaps you have some inside information…

by Defensewinsgames on Aug 8, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha no inside infor here

I wish. I just think that after Saturday’s game the team will extend an olive branch by paying him a visit or having an extended phone call. At some point during the next week the team will tell Jason that they want to give him a new deal but that he has to show up and hopefully will give him a crash course in understanding that agents don’t always have their players best interest in mind. When has holding out ever worked out for an NFL player? They may get more money sometimes, but it usually ends worse for the individual than the team. Plus, I think after watching his team out there the football player inside him will force him to show up, the call of nature is a powerful thing, and the man is a competitor

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 8, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starters would be nice since they charge fans for the preseason games, too

It’s all about getting out of preseason healthy, which is more important than ever with the salaries these guys get for playing a game.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 8, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What to Look for

Preseason Game #1: I concentrate on the key backups more in preseason than anything but here is what I am looking for.

Offense: Regarding the starters I am interested if they can force feed Evans the ball?
How does Freddy Jackson run behind the 2nd string O-line against the 2nd string D…does he make backups miss one on one? WHo is the first Offensive Tackle in after Langston is removed. When Langston is not in who gets the majority of the snaps at either tackle spot. Which TE starts, which TE looks the most smooth? And Finally for the offense do they start the game with 2 TE or 1 TE 1 FB.

D: WHo starts outside for Crowell? Who is the starting nickle DB if James is not in. How does McKelvin match up on the outside? THinking ahead…does Greer move to the slot on 3rd down to get McKelvin in the game on the outside. Can Scott be effective in pass coverage (Whitner now has a small inj and what if he missed a game)? Does Scott or Wedling start? And Finally can Ellis dominate the Skins 2nd string offensive line in pass situations?

These are the major things I will be looking for…curious what others will be concentrating on.

by Berg79 on Aug 8, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

for me its all eyes on Hardy

I’m not sure if he’s slated to play with his minor injury concerns but I want to see if Hardy gets in the endzone against 2nd string defenses and I want to see him targeted: a lot.

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 8, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL hang on guys. I’m working on a “what to watch for” post right now. Y’all are always one step ahead of me… :)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can answer several of these questions already:

Keith Ellison will start for Angelo Crowell.
Reggie Corner will sub in for Will James in nickel packages, though James is expected to play.
Bryan Scott will start for Donte Whitner.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ellison should start in place of Crowell. I think he has been getting all the reps there in practice.

I will be looking for:

Chambers will start the game at RT. Will he run with the second team offense too? and at LT or RT?

Can Courtney Anderson use his massive frame to run block well? Is he a better blocker than Fine? Are either of them even in the same blocking league as Massaquoi?

I know we will hear Wendling’s name on defense a couple of times, but will it be for a a big hit, or because he gave up a long completion?

Who runs tougher, Wright or Omon? They are both listed at 227 or 228. I doubt I can notice a difference, but who can make a bigger impact covering kick returns?

How much better of an athlete is Teraz McCray than Jefferson?

How good of a tackler is Reggie Corner?

And obviously I will be keeping an eye on the rookies in general.

by kaisertown on Aug 8, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs