2009 Bills Training Camp: Day 18 Open Thread
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintIt might be difficult to believe, but the Buffalo Bills have just two more practices before 2009 training camp breaks. The Bills will be on the field this afternoon for another steamy practice at St. John Fisher College. Our de facto camp reporter, MattRichWarren, is back on the scene today after roughly a week off. Slacker. His updates will appear after the jump.
2:21 PM: It's hot. Probably going to be an early end to practice today. CB Terrence McGee is really running gingerly as he continues to deal with blisters on his feet. TE Shawn Nelson is on the field stretching after leaving practice last night due to illness.
2:24 PM: QB Matt Baker, LB Pat Thomas and DT Marcus Smith appear to be non-participants today, as none of them are stretching. WR Steve Johnson is on the field again, and today, he's not wearing a red no-contact jersey. WR Terrell Owens is not yet on the field; he missed this morning's walk-through while getting treatment on his toe, according to BuffaloBills.com.
2:31 PM: It's pouring. Probably will be short-lived, but it's really coming down. Thankful for bleachers and the ability to be under them.
2:37 PM: The rain has stopped, but even with dry balls (stop it), Trent Edwards is not sharp early. As mentioned, Steve Johnson isn't wearing the red no-contact jersey today, but he does appear to have some sort of flak jacket on to protect his still-tender ribs.
2:43 PM: SS Bryan Scott is back on the field today after suffering a mild knee sprain in the win over Chicago. The Bills are working on red zone work. Steve Johnson and Shawn Nelson have both brought in nice Edwards touch passes one-handed for scores. More of that, please.
2:53 PM: Still no Owens. Either his sprained toe didn't handle practice last night particularly well, or the Bills are going to keep him off a wet field (rain has been hit-and-miss throughout practice thus far). TE Shawn Nelson is getting some first-team reps. FS Ko Simpson - already on the bubble after the return of rookie Jairus Byrd - just dropped an easy interception of a Ryan Fitzpatrick throw.
3:05 PM: It's probably a bad sign if you're a rookie long-snapper trying to vault past veteran Ryan Neill, and rookie OG Eric Wood is getting some long-snapping in at practice. That's exactly what's happening to Garrison Sanborn right now.
3:10 PM: After hearing several reports from fans e-mailing in that Chris Kelsay has been routinely abusing Brad Butler at practice - yeah, it's totally true. 90 just beat 60 cleanly in blocking drills. Made it look easy. Considering how solid Butler was against Chicago (if highly unspectacular), this is just more good news on the Kelsay front. Perhaps getting booed by fans in a pre-season game is added motivation?
Meanwhile, Andy Levitre and Kyle Williams have battled to several draws. Considering how dominant Williams is in a camp setting, that's nothing but good news for the rookie left guard. Oh - Chris Ellis (and Ataefiok Etukeren) made Derek Fine look silly in this drill as well.
3:16 PM: Blocking drills continue. John McCargo put a sick spin move on Kirk Chambers to beat the converted guard. Demetrius Bell had to tackle Chris Ellis to prevent a sack. The defense in general is dominating this drill. If there's one offensive lineman looking dominant, it's Langston Walker.
3:22 PM: Once again, we've got Kelsay beating Butler with ease. We also can't seem to find Copeland Bryan... weird. Chris Ellis is taking second-team reps, as usual, alongside Ryan Denney.
3:26 PM: For those of you asking about the safety rotation - George Wilson and Ko Simpson remain the second-team safeties. Reggie Corner and Ellis Lankster are the second-team corners outside, with Ashton Youboty working in the slot.
3:32 PM: Trent Edwards got a little miffed at himself when Osi Chris Umenyiora Kelsay knocked down one of his passes at the line. Apparently, Kelsay is going to have a monster season. Ellis Lankster just recorded a nice pass break-up. Rookie FS Jairus Byrd is running with the third team. Practice keeps on keepin' on despite thunder.
3:34 PM: And, just like that, practice is done after some seriously cool lightning strikes. Defense looked excellent today.
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Red Zone
That’s exactly what I like to hear. Please put, Lee, T.O. Johnson and Nelson together as are redzone package. And the only reason I have Lee their is out of curtousy.
Don’t forget the catch Lee made against the Chargers last year, (one handed with the ball against his helmet) He is a good red-zone target.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Evans = Red Zone?
Ok watching that catch Evans made last year it was a great catch but i would not put him on the felid when the bills are inside the 10 because big WR’s Equal TD’S down there
GO BUFFALO
Why not? He’s a very good WR. He’s also highly paid. You put your best players down there to score.
I think the tall WR in the red zone argument is a little overrated. Again, I appreciate size, but I don’t think it’s the sole factor in TD receptions in the red zone. Don’t forget – the red zone starts at the 20. Maybe as you get closer to the goal line, size does become more of a factor. But outside the ten or so, I think you just need your best WRs in the game, regardless of height.
I think Evans can give you things that most receivers can’t. Just because he’s not a giant, doesn’t mean he can’t get seperation on a DB or make them look silly when he puts a move on. Evans is still gonna be in the redzone, Reed/Parrish better not be. I am a big fan of Reed between the 20’s, just not in the red zone.
You’re right, I would take Steve Smith off the field in the red-zone because he is short.
Laverneous Coles is the best WR (not named Larry Fitzgerald) at going up and getting a jump ball, and he is 5’-11". Size doesn’t always equal TDs in the red zone, if that was the case, Hardy would have caught more then 2 TDs last year. Skill, and the ability to get open have a lot to do with it as well, and that is why you leave one of your best WRs on the field in the red zone.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Fitzgerald / Coles / Moss
No joke. I have seen Coles play for quite some time and I am convinced.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
Evans had 24 TDs in his first three seasons in the league. When he has help, he’s a TD machine. I would consider Terrell Owens “help.” Bottom line is that Evans is one of this team’s best players, and you don’t take your best players off the field in critical situations.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
True that, we should most defantily have the most dangerous red zone weapons in the league this year. Can Trent get them the ball, that is the question.
you don’t take your best players off the field in critical situations
You only do that if you’re Mike Ditka in the Super Bowl, although I suppose that wasn’t exactly a critical situation.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember Pete Metzallars
In the back of the endzone. Jay Remersma as well. Big targets can’t cover them from behind for the end line. Evans definately stays on the field, but we have some big targets to mix in there.
I was thinking of heading over,
but not sure they’re going to bus people in still…anyone?
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions
They were sending the busses until practice was canceled.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I was on my way in when the radio stated practice was cancelled. One last shot tomorrow AM.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Tomorrow looks good. I got myself a parking pass so no more shuttle for me. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Nelson with the first team
I have no problem with this at all seeing are tightends right now haven’t been blocking at all anyways. Schouman is awful, but seriously why isn’t Stupar getting more reps.
Brian
Could you pass along to Matt that he needs to booo Ko. And to shout…your not paid millions of dollars to drop balls… :0)
In all seriousness…How does the defense look…where is lankster fitting in today after that showing on Saturday…and what position is Jarius seeing reps at…if any at all.
Byrd was at FS.
The front 7 looked great today. Even the DBs looked OK on the first team.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
come on TO, dont have a year long nagging toe injury.....please....
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
It’s probably a bad sign if you’re a rookie long-snapper trying to vault past veteran Ryan Neill, and rookie OG Eric Wood is getting some long-snapping in at practice. That’s exactly what’s happening to Garrison Sanborn right now.
I imagine the Bills are going to keep Neill or Sanborn so they would need an emergency backup, which looks like it’d be Wood. So I don’t think Wood practicing means anything either way with Sanborn.
Well I thought it was telling that the order went Neill, Wood, then Sanborn.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Edwards looks good
Watching Edwards Practice today he looked really good throwing check down and even a little deep ball here and there. Lynch look good today also but i will expect him to get a lot of game time in the 3rd and 4th preseason game because of his 3 game problem but who know only dick does
GO BUFFALO
When’s the first round of cuts, and how many guys will have to hand in their playbook? And who on staff is the “turk?”
Great question. Would love to see a post about this.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
September 1 is the first cut-down. September 5 is the second. We have a game on the 3rd.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, and first cut-down is to 75, so only 5 guys go. Second is to 53, so 18 more go.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
None would be a surprise. Shaine Smith has been playing well, though. Caught a TD in red zone work from Hamdan.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
They will keep Baker around so that he can lessen the load on the other QBs for a while longer.
No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.
I agree with that.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
But he didn't practice today.
FYI.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
What about Marcus Smith? I don’t remember seeing anything special from him so far; and more playing time for Ellis/Bryan would be good.
Marcus Smith is a DT, and you haven’t heard anything about him b/c he’s missed a ton of practice time due to injury.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
75 – x = 53
+ x + x
75 = 53 + x
-53 -53
22 = x :)
I want to see movies of my dreams. - Built to Spill.
Yeah, I knew it when I posted it. Not sure what I was thinking, but was far too lazy to correct myself. I’ll let y’all have fun once in a while. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you mean Turk Schonert?
And who on staff is the "turk?"
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
No, by “turk,” he means the guys who informs players that they’re cut.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Ahhhh. I see. I watch too much “Major League” I guess where it’s just a red card. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
one of the all-time great sports comedies.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
“The Natural” was always a great sports comedy to me, too, although it wasn’t meant to be a comedy. I just thought it had the cheesiest plot.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Filmed in the Rockpile...
The old AFL stadium of the Bills.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Now that you mention that, I remember that. But I don’t think I would have remembered if you hadn’t mentioned it.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy friggin cow guys. So I was watching practice and then we started hearing thunder. Then a few more. Then I saw a far away bolt of lightning. And my wife called saying she was coming to pick me up. And then I saw another bolt of lightning and began walking back towards the merchandise tent and the exit. Well I was about 100 feet from the door when the sky opened up! Rain in buckets, lightning, wind so hard it knocked the tops of the dumpsters. Serious weather. I got into the tent soaked from head to toe. Standing in the AC was kinda chilly but it was bad outside. So I waited. Then the power went out and the thunder got louder and more frequent. Parents were covering their kids’ ears, team staff and Fischer staff were hurrying onlookers into buildings. It was nuts. Then it let up as fast as it started. There are downed tree limbs and pools of water in the roads. Not as bad as a week and a half ago but not good either. Wowza.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
It felt like it for a minute. I am in the tent thinking about the Cowboys facility. No foolin’. Planning my escape route and thinking about what I would do. No way am I going out by being hesitant. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
The unfortunate things about storms, is you usually can’t out run them, unless… MRW are the bionical man?
Actually, you can if it’s a really bogged down front – and do so on foot, but you’ve gotta REALLY be running.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
“covering kids ears?” from thunder? much banter about how buffalo is a hard scrabble, tuff town and
likes their bills players to be the same. good point.
covering ears from thunder? that is really funny. next, will be covering cups from mice.
steelers would have stood in it and, a la forrest gump….. “you call this is storm?!!!!”
sheesh. pull skirts down.
by LeClaireBill on Aug 18, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Ummm…. LIGHTNING.. I assure you the Steelers would NOT have stayed outside.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
We have like 2 year olds at camp, man. Maybe your kids wouldn;t be scared. But it’s normal to be afraid of stuff that can kill you.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Not only scared, but thunder from a close lightning strike can also blow out your eardrums, and young children have far more sensitive hearing than adults.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
no offense intended, gentlemen. poorly phrased sense of humor on my part.
i live in iowa, so severe thunderstorms, tornados, high winds, unreal loud thunder are as happenstance to me as a lake effect blizzard to you.
no, my kids aren’t afraid of thunder. we sit on the porch and enjoy it. but again, only cause we’re quite used to it. in fact, they sleep better.
i apologize for the poorly phrased post. was meant to be funny, didn’t come off that way.
by LeClaireBill on Aug 19, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish my kids enjoyed thunderstorms. I’m a meteorologist, so I love watching storms. They definitely don’t.
"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987
by thefourwinds on Aug 19, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Things I know about lightning:
My old man saw two guys get hit by lightning in Vietnam. One guy got thrown so badly that when he hit the ground his skull cracked open. Needless to say, he died. The other guy couldn’t walk or feel his legs for six hours.
Thunder is caused by the air around the lightning being super heated(since lightning is hotter than the sun) and causing a shockwave.
The average lightning bolt is the size of your pinkie. It appears bigger because it is so bright.
It takes 1/10 of an amp to kill a person. A lightning bolt is 200 amps.
Thank you dad and Discovery Channel.
I want to see movies of my dreams. - Built to Spill.
Is anybody surprised by Kelsay
Because I’m not. The practices as hard as anyone. He’s the ultimate practice player. He just shuts down when the lights come on.
/Kelsay “compliment”
~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 Aug 18, 2009 4:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I can honestly say I never remember any single instance in which Kelsay was dominant on the practice field. Ever. Care to enlighten me? :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way TO did make a brief appearance today at Bills camp but he’s not practicing
Sal Maiorana of Rochester D%C
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
More from Twitter and the D&C
Bills are off the field. An instant hurricane has hit Fisher. The threat of lightning prompted a halt to practice for the Bills, but then the heavens opened up. Fans drenched. In about 2 seconds.
No foolin… http://twitter.com/kevinoDandC
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
Quite the wind, too. Garbage cans went rolling away. Portable stop sign in parking lot blew down. Tents survived, though.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
How about this???
Bills are finishing off practice by walking thru plays in the Fisher gym which is dark because there’s no power
Sal Maiorana of Rochester D&C
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
Craziness
Ya know MRW I think somebody upstairs wanted to welcome you back to the training camp in a BIG way
uh huh.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
So they can’t practice outside in the cold, but they can practice in the dark?
So easy Marshawn Lynch can do it.
Some would say they consistently practice in the dark.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 18, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
BADUMBOOMP TSCHHHHHH.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Aug 18, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
since this is an open thread
A slight boon to the bills is that the Tampa Bay Bucs are going to lose Tanard Jackson whose a pretty decent safety because he broke the substance abuse policy we get them @ home week 2
Nelson's Reps with the first Team
Passing plays??? Where did he line up, off tackle, wide out. Any Blocking or just route running?
I saw him run block at least once with the first team inside the red zone. It was a pitch left and he was on the left end. He did a decent job allowing Rhodes to get into the end zone but on a live play it’s probably stopped short.
Most of Nelson running with the first team he is go out in routes from the bunch formation (he is in the back and gets an easy release).
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 19, 2009 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions
These training camp updates are great Matt.
Apparently, Kelsay is going to have a monster season
I’ll believe that when I see it.
I don’t think Sanborn should be worried about Wood getting some chances to long snap. The Bills need an emergency snapper in case Neill gets injured mid-game. I’m guessing Wood did some long snapping in college and is an ideal candidate because of that.
Great to hear that Scott is back in action this quickly.
I think that quote in the little blue box up there was someone being ironic. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 19, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Chris Brown says Copeland Bryan was out there at practice but he was not doing the one on one drills I was standing near. I wonder where he went?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
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