The Buffalo Bills resumed practice today at St. John Fisher, looking to move forward after a tight preseason loss to Indianapolis on Saturday. Some notable names returned, another was seen on campus, and some remained out for one reason or another. Overall, it seemed to be a fairly tame day at camp. Here’s what the majority of the reporters at camp were writing:
- Incognito remains out: Although Richie Incognito did participate in stretching, he did so sans pads and helmet, and he did not participate after stretching. After practice, Rex Ryan said Incognito was still working through his sore ribs. Other nonparticipants in today’s practice included Cordy Glenn (ankle), Greg Salas (hamstring), Dez Lewis (shoulder contusion), A. Williams (concussion protocol), and IK Enemkpali (torn ACL). Reggie Bush was excused from practice for personal reasons. Nickell Robey-Coleman tweaked his ankle late, but it was taped, and he never left the field.
- Screen game install a major focus: After the Colts gashed the Bills on a long screen pass in the second quarter of Saturday’s match-up, the coaching staff was working on all positions and their responsibilities during a screen play. Sal Capaccio noted that the team worked in a “half-line” so that both sides could gain more reps. He also noted that the majority of the sets on offense were single-back sets, which differed from last week’s prep involving more two-back sets.
- Week one prep has begun: The starters worked at length versus the scout team, which indicates that preparations for the opening tilt at Baltimore kicked off today. Although, if Jim Irsay is to be believed, the scout team could be preparing for the Giants this weekend.
- Lineup notes: Lorenzo Alexander began the day starting at OLB in place of IK Enemkpali. Duke Williams started opposite Corey Graham at safety. This was Duke’s first notable run with the first team, and Rex heaped praise on him after practice during his press conference. The battle for the 3rd and 4th safety jobs is really starting to heat up, with Robert Blanton and Jonathon Meeks running with the twos today.
- If you have an extra fifteen minutes...: Mike Catalana was on “Orange Nation” today, and he gave some pretty solid insights regarding the Bills thus far. The whole interview is worth a listen, but if your boss will be mad if he or she sees you with ear buds in at your desk, here’s a quick summary:
—EJ and Cardale looked “competent” and “flashy,” respectively. EJ has been in contact with longtime friend Chase Daniel, seeking advice on how to be a better backup in the league. While Cardale was solid in his first effort, he’s nowhere near ready from a consistency or mechanical standpoint to play every day in the NFL.
—The receivers on the bubble had better catch the ball. Leonard Hankerson (who Rex Ryan said had a “horrible” game”), Greg Little, et al have done “little to separate themselves.” He referred to Buffalo’s receiver situation as “Watkins, Woods, and what.”
—The LB injuries will be a season-long issue. He called Reggie Ragland’s replacements in the middle “piecemeal” veterans, and said the situation is unique in the sense that it’s usually a veteran who is hurt with young, unheralded replacements. In Buffalo’s case, they were counting on the rookie and have many veteran question marks with whom they can replace him. He did not mention Kroy Biermann, who is either a soon-to-be Bill or not, depending on your source.
—The RB pecking order, without Karlos Williams for the first month, seems to be McCoy, then Mike Gillislee, followed by Reggie Bush and Jonathan Williams. He mentioned that James Wilder, Jr. is not long for the roster, and he did not mention either Dan or Boom Herron (yes, I know they’re the same person).
—He described Tyrod’s new contract as both a “win-win” and a “marriage with a pre-nup.” It’s a funny way to say it, but it certainly makes sense. He also said that “people in the building” put a bit of the blame on Tyrod for Charles Clay’s lack of involvement in the offense last year. He notes that Clay and Taylor will need to be on the same page in order to take a greater step forward this season.