Bills QB Edwards knocking the rust off at OTAs
The first two days of the Buffalo Bills OTA practices were highlighted by the highly anticipated arrival of WR Terrell Owens on Monday and a rookie DE Aaron Maybin scuffling with the vets on Tuesday. Over the first two days, one word could be used to describe the play of starting QB Trent Edwards - the one player that bears the most responsibility for whatever successes the Bills can or can't achieve in 2009 - and that word was "inconsistent."
If the unbeatable duo of Chris Brown and Mark Gaughan is to be believed, that changed for the better on Wednesday.
I'm not sure if I need to throw in the obligatory "don't freak out either way because it's still May, guys" warning; when you're talking about the single most important player on the roster, it's hard not to freak out a little bit. But let's just say that while the news that Trent's rust is officially knocked off is welcome, the kid hasn't achieved anything yet. Edwards, who wavered between outstanding and... well, really rusty... through two days turned a corner on Wednesday, as he final found his "rhythm", using Brown's word.
His calls at the line came quicker and his decision making appeared consistent, which enabled him to get into more of a rhythm than he had the first two practices.
Gaughan adds the following about a couple of Edwards' throws on the day:
(WR Lee) Evans caught six passes from quarterback Trent Edwards during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills. His first grab was the best, an intermediate crossing route thrown in perfect stride by Edwards... Overall, Edwards looked pretty good throwing it.
Edwards, for what it's worth, is focusing more on developing his rapport and comfort level with Owens than meaningless OTA performances:
“It’s my job to get the ball to him, and my job over these next 15 practices is to get comfortable with him,” said Edwards. “We still have a long way to go. I was comfortable communicating what I want and I hope he’s comfortable with communicating what he wants, too. We’re moving along that direction. It’s all new to him, he hasn’t really been here and some of this is still new to me, too, so I’m kind of learning and we need to do a good job getting on the same page.”
That's our quarterback, folks.
Maybin continues to impress
We've heard reports that DE Aaron Maybin has been impressive on-field (very) early in his Bills career. The first reward of that impression may have come Wednesday, as Maybin saw his first reps with the top defensive unit:
Aaron Maybin was sprinkled in with the first team defense during the course of practice Wednesday. He was mainly inserted during the run fit portion of practice.
This isn't terribly surprising - it was going to happen at some point, as Maybin is going to play a substantial amount of snaps this season - but to hear it happening this quickly is encouraging. Buffalo's two rookie guards have been getting this treatment, but let's face it - their paths to starting roles are pretty clutter-free. Maybin's road isn't as simple; with three established vets ahead of him, if Maybin is carving himself a niche already, that's nothing but good news.
Attendance
Outside of the usual suspects (WRs C.J. Hawthorne and James Hardy, LB John DiGiorgio and CB Ashton Youboty), CB Cary Harris, WR P.K. Sam, DT Marcus Stroud and OT Jonathan Scott were spectators. WR Roscoe Parrish returned to the practice field after missing Tuesday.
The team will not practice again until next Tuesday. Head coach Dick Jauron, according to Brown's report, was pleased with his team's efforts over the first three days:
“All in all it’s gone well,” said Jauron. “We’ve got almost everybody here or everybody. It depends on the day so the turnout has been terrific and the effort has been great and we’re making advances.”
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Comments
MAybin in the with the starting unit is a VERY good thing on a lot of levels. It pushes Kelsay to live up to his contract, and also shows that Maybin is what the Bills thought he would or could be. McKelvin was buried on the Depth Chart last year and while you could argue that we are deeper at CB, which we are and were then, Maybin is the type of impact player whose potential is immeasurable, and Jauron & Co feel they are going to push him, as well as the rest of the team (rookies and vets alike) to be better, play harder, stronger, faster, and nastier.
From this first set of OTAs, Maybin news is positive, and so it is that not only TO still has the speed to take it to the house, but that our defense is also getting at the football.
I know..almost everything is “positive”, but its better than just talking about growing and learning (although it kind of is guess) but I think everyone feels the “Win-Now” mentality and hopefully it goes from the undrafted rookie free agents right up to the coach and our aging owner….Go Bills
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on May 20, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I picked up on the T.O. thing too
He pulled in the pass from Edwards in stride and likely would have reached the end zone thereafter as he quickly outdistanced the defenders in pursuit.
Speed is usually the first thing to go when you’re a WR. It is very encouraging that T.O. can still kick it into high gear.
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
by Joe P. on May 20, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The guy is an athletic freak. As hard as he works I’m not all that suprised to see that he hasn’t had the huge (think cliff diving) drop off in physical ability common to receivers on the wrong side of 30.
by Ron From NM on May 20, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the interesting thing about good wide receivers is that, as they age, they consistently become better route-runners – quicker off their cuts, better at beating the press, better at finding the holes that josh reed makes his living on already. if TO’s still got his speed as well as those other benefits, there’s a good chance he’ll be really stunning this year.
like most years, really.
by the_prophet on May 20, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he must have some freakish genetics on his side too. Good conditioning helps a lot, but a lot of guys are done in when the cartilage and tendons holding everything together wears out. T O is certainly blessed to not have any of those signs of wear and tear (unless he just pretty much keeps his mouth shut about hurting). I remember he healed up really quickly when he hurt his (foot?) in Philly, that was amazing, he returned weeks before most people could have.
by syrbillsfan on May 21, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i agree.. i am very happy to see maybin doing well in OTA's..
now i know the pads aren’t on, and maybe we should take this in the same way that we have taken what kelsay has done to butler a few times.. butler is a pads on type of guy.. maybin is a speed type and may look even more impressive w/o pads.. but his speed and quickness will translate i’m just trying to have a level head and be realistic.. but i really like maybin and think he is going to be a great player for us..
i’m glad to see trent throwing the ball very well and improving each day… man i can’t wait for this season to start.. at least ota’s and camp give us something to read and watch some clips but then again it makes me wish it was late august even more w/ the season right around the corner..
by Shovel51 on May 21, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rhythm = great word for hangman
By the time they figure out there are no vowels they’re down to one limb left. Fyrd is another great hangman word, just without the relationship to QB performance. Edwards is definitely a rhythm west-coast type QB. Let’s hope he develops a great rhythm whether in or out of the hurry-up and maintains it when Belicheat throws everything (including his now secret video taping equipment) at Edwards.
by Ron From NM on May 20, 2009 9:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i agree.. he needs to get into a rythmn but that's how most qb's are in this league..
and i think being that he is young that it is that much more important to get him into a rythm early in games and it’s turks job to do this by throwing short passes to the running backs/te’s/wr’s to get him in that rythm. I think trent will be fine he’s still young and as long as turk can formulate a game plan to show his strengths and hide his weaknesses he will fine.. we have so many guys that can catch and run the short route and break it for a big one, and if trent isn’t throwing the ball as well we need to stick w/ the running game and definately stay w/ the short passing game.. i don’t see this being an issue.. and the only way that i trent not succeeding is if turk doesn’t do a good job calling plays
by Shovel51 on May 21, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHA
Rhythm = great word for hangman. By the time they figure out there are no vowels they’re down to one limb left.
I thought you were talking about Hangartner for a while. You are the O Line guy after all.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 22, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh, it’s just practice guys!
One thing that will never surprise me about Trent is his inconsistency. He just seems like one of those players that will always be inconsistent. Call him Jake Delhomme-esque if you must. For as good as Trent has looked at times, it was inevitable that he would look just as terrible at other times. It’s no surprising that he’s been inconsistent in these practices thus far. What is a bit more encouraging is the idea that he started developed a rhythm, which he just needs to get into quicker and more often now. If he is able to limit his mistakes and really spread out his inconsistent moments, he’ll be very good for us. I just don’t think he’s ever going to break from the inconsistency we’ve seen, but I do think he can tone it down. Let’s hope.
I don’t really know whether hearing Maybin is getting some first team work is notable or not. Could it be the team wanted to get him some first team reps, regardless of how ready he was or how he had been practicing thus far? MLB teams bring guys up from the minors who are far from ready to play at that level, but want to give them a taste of what it’s like and what they need to do. I wonder if this is along those lines. The coaching staff wants Maybin to get the feel of what it’s like to get first team reps, so he can work his way towards that. Eh?
How Jairus Byrd looking? Oh wait, he’s getting screwed over by some stupid rule. It’s such BS that a handful of rookies lose valuable practice time because of some stupid final exam rule, which doesn’t affect the majority of them anyhow. Byrd left school early, does he really give a crap about some finals?
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on May 21, 2009 12:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
PRACTICE?
“we’re talking about PRACTICE?”
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on May 21, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i take Maybin getting 1st team reps
as some serious news K. Honestly, I never imagined Maybin would be getting 1st team reps in his third practice. That is really amazing especially considering the ‘good news’ about Kelsay we keep hearing. I think this shows that he really is going to be a stud pass rusher. Not saying this year, but soon. I like this development a lot. I really didn’t expect to hear anything like this until the end of the summer, early pre-season.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 21, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but I think we need to remain cautious on this. Is the team throwing Maybin out there with the first team to see if he is capable of handling it, or do they already know he’s capable of handling it and has “earned” those reps? We need to wait and see if this means anything before getting too excited about it. If Maybin is getting first team reps early in preseason camp, then I will start to feel some of that excitement!
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on May 21, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i agree... and it was while they were doing run fits.. so they probably want to see how does w/ the run fits considering his run defense is his supposable weakness
by Shovel51 on May 21, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good point
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 21, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Many professional qb's have said that the toughest thing for a young qb is consistancy.. that's what comes w/ experience and time is consistancy..
so i expect the same thing to happen for trent he is a smart guy and w/ his experience will come that consistancy.. don’t forget lsat year was his first full season as a starter.. i think he hsa what it takes.. a lot more so than any other qb we’ve since kelly… except maybe flutie but he is also much younger than he
by Shovel51 on May 21, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
satire alert
We all talk about how “smart” Trent is. What happens if he’s all book smart and has no common sense?
:)
by syrbillsfan on May 21, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The way he talks doesn't strike me as lacking street smarts...
He has always handled interviews well and to me that translates to common sense and a good head on his shoulders.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 22, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
See – comment title. I was just being goofy.
by syrbillsfan on May 22, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I know.
I wasn’t blasting you… just giving my opinion.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 22, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regarding TO’s speed didn’t Reggie Corner catch him from behind and cause a fumble.
by Berg79 on May 21, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Any good news about the nickel CB is great to me.
Having to cover some of the sick slot WRs we face next year, I think this position will be hurt most from Greer’s departure, with Youboty likely a non-factor, Im happy to see Corner, who looked the part at times, showing signs of distancing himself from Florence and underlings.
by BuffaloChip on May 21, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This might be just me, but this offseason feels a lot more…hopeful than most in recent memory. I mean, with the revamped line, TO and Maybin, we’re either going to finally improve on the 7-9s…or go down in such a spectacular ball of flames that we’ll take our grandkids to the national park that was established around the crater.
In short, I’ve liked nearly everything that’s come out of practice thus far. And yes, it’s May and it’s just practice, but I’m still liking it.
Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on May 21, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hope
is a dangerous thing when it comes to the Bills my friend….it’s May….it’s OTA’s….and until I see the Bills win meaningful games in November and December, it’s all just talk….but yeah it does get the blood flowing a bit
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
by MARVelous on May 21, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I know. From years of staring at a screen in disbelief, whether after a field goal in the Super Bowl or a pass interference call in a Pats game to end the season (quite) a few years ago…hope doesn’t lead to good things. But it keeps me coming back for more.
Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet. -jesse. @ BSD
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on May 21, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last year was pretty hopeful.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 22, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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