The Buffalo Bills will hold their first practice with pads later this afternoon at St. John Fisher College. (For those of you interested, Brian and I should be in attendance.) Despite the lack of hitting, several young Bills are experiencing the NFL training room for the first time, and one notable youngster seems to be spending his entire career there.
All three of Buffalo's top draft choices in April found their way to the sidelines yesterday. Marcell Dareus was held out of the remainder of practice after cramping up late in the day. Dareus had a strong showing earlier in practice, knocking guard Kraig Urbik on his backside with the power and explosion that made him a first-round selection.
Second-rounder Aaron Williams was kicked in the back of the head by Paul Hubbard on a passing play when the wide receiver went head over heels. Williams is continuing to impress in his two short practices. After picking off Levi Brown in the first practice, he was step-for-step with receivers on day two and had a pass breakup and interception.
The worst injury of camp was sustained yesterday by third-round linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. In his first team practice, Sheppard pulled a muscle in his leg. Chan Gailey noted it was the worst of the three injuries, and a timetable has not been set for his return.
Updating a previous report, Marcus Easley's surgically repaired knee that kept him out of last season also kept him out of practice yesterday. The wide receiver hyperextended it in practice Friday. Gailey said the knee is still bothering him, and there is no word when he will resume practicing.
In depth chart news, veteran Terrence McGee has been moving into the slot when Williams comes in as the third cornerback. McGee and Leodis McKelvin are getting the first team reps at cornerback with Drayton Florence unable to practice.
A few players were noted to have bad days, as fourth-round pick Chris Hairston was routinely beaten in one-on-one drills. Brown has also continued his lackluster play in training camp. Conversely, Joe Buscaglia noted that Shawne Merriman's explosiveness seems to be back, and was high on the linebacker's play yesterday.
Stay tuned to Buffalo Rumblings for all your training camp coverage.