Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 8/12

Bills-Bears game preview - BuffaloBills.com
"It’s been a most unusual offseason, but with all of the headlines about negotiations and mediation now in the rearview mirror, the Bills can begin their first and final stages of preparation for the 2011 season as they travel to Chicago to take on the Bears for an 8 pm kickoff at Soldier Field Saturday night."

Bills G.M. Buddy Nix won’t comment on Lee Evans’ availability | ProFootballTalk
"If it was Marcell Dareus or Kyle Williams or even Stevie Johnson, Nix would simply shut the conversation down."

2011 Buffalo Bills Season Preview - NYTimes.com
"But the Bills are not a broken franchise; owner Ralph Wilson’s staff has not brought all these hardships on itself. General manager Buddy Nix and Coach Chan Gailey have a plan. Is it a save-the-day/Cinderella story-in-the-making plan? Probably not. It’s more like a plan an independent film director would have, where limited resources put extra demands on creativity."

Training Camp Notes & Bears previews
Bills Roundup: Final Preparations for Chicago - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills had their final full practice before the first preseason game in Chicago on Saturday, hear from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Shawne Merriman, and check out the top plays of the day."

Chan Gailey Thursday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
The Buffalo Bills head coach talks to the media after yesterday's practice.

Inside The Bills | Easley excited to go Saturday
"I can’t really put it into words," he said. "It’s been long overdue. It’s been over a year now and it’s my first time ever playing in a professional football game so I’m really excited and looking forward to it."

WR Easley looking forward to first preseason game - YNN
"I definitely missed a whole lot of time. I guess it may not be too obvious by the eye but things out there are going at a much faster pace than I anticipated. It just feels good to get thrown in the fire and see how I respond," said Easley.

Merriman Looking Forward to Game Action - 13WHAM.com
"The injury prone linebacker is expected to see his first game action in a Bills uniform in Saturday's preseason opener against Chicago."

What to watch for in Buffalo's first preseason game - Canandaigua, NY
Dan Goldman lists five things to watch for tomorrow night.

Thursday practice goes short - The Buffalo News
"The team held an abbreviated 90-minute afternoon practice on Thursday. With the preseason opener Saturday in Chicago, coach Chan Gailey approached the practice like a Friday workout in preparation for a Sunday game during the regular season."

Easley set to make pro debut - The Buffalo News
"Everyone has a different share in this ball game," Gailey said. "He's going to get a decent number of reps, the thing we don't want to do is overextend him."

Video: Thursday's practice - The Buffalo News
The folks from the Buffalo News break down the abbreviated practice session.

Lee Evans' potential trade
Inside The Bills | Evans rumors persist
"Nothing has changed with Lee (Evans). He’s still a Bill," said Nix. "We expect him to play and do well. We are counting on him. I would think that something would be wrong if teams were not interested in Lee Evans. Everybody can count and see that we have a lot of young receivers and I think they speculate a lot, but as far as I’m concerned and as far as I know a speculation is all it is.

Bills open to trading Evans - The Buffalo News
"The Bills are open to dealing Evans, a first-round pick in 2004, a team source told The Buffalo News. During a radio interview Thursday, Bills General Manager Buddy Nix didn't deny that the veteran wide receiver is on the market. Evans has downplayed the possibility of a trade, but a source close to Evans told The News that he's informed teammates that he believes he's going to be dealt."

More Bills Links
Friendship with Gailey gives Wannstedt new life in NFL - Olean Times Herald
Chuck Pollack examines how the addition of Dave Wannstedt is going to help the Bills defense.

Buffalo Bills covered at cornerback | Democrat and Chronicle
"The Bills have three veteran, starter-worthy players in Drayton Florence, Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin, and regardless of how it shakes out, the Bills should be fine at that position. Behind that trio, there appears to be terrific depth with rookie second-round pick Aaron Williams and holdover veteran Reggie Corner, plus a number of other potential candidates."

Wilson starting with same focus - Niagara Gazette
"But this is the first time Wilson has began the season atop the depth chart. He also has the security of signing a contract extension in March, reportedly worth $7 million over three years. Still, Wilson walks onto the practice field each day with the same mindset he had when he was just trying to prove himself worthy of a spot on the team."

Lang on Merriman: Path to redemption - sportsnet.ca
"However, Merriman is enjoying a rebirth of sorts during Bills camp and is flying around with an intensity that hasn't been seen since his early days in San Diego. Because of what took place last year, he admits it is going to feel extra sweet when he steps onto the field Saturday night."

Bills QB Thigpen knows role as backup - RochesterHomePage.net
"The following is a transcript of comments made after this morning's walk-thru practice:" It includes quotes from Thigpen, Marcus Easley, and Aaron WIlliams.

Unlike preseason last year, Bills offense has identity - YNN
"It's definitely more crisp at this point, and there's still some things we need to work on, some particular throws and just understanding each other, and that comes with more time," says Fitzpatrick. "We've taken a step in the right direction the last few days, just in terms of the timing of the throws and guys out there making plays."

Bills’ George Wilson Nabs Second Presidential Award | Pro Player Insiders
"Strong Safety for the Bills George Wilson is being recognized by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) for his work with kids to promote a healthy lifestyle."