Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 6/16

Bills Roundup: Smith to WR, Friday Highlights - BuffaloBills.com
"The final OTA of 2012 saw Brad Smith practice at wide receiver, and several nice plays made on the field to conclude the week."

WRs Jones, Easley look sharp at OTA - The Buffalo News
Mark Gaughan's recap of the day at OTAs.

Chan Gailey: Wildcat coming, Brad Smith 3rd QB - The Buffalo News
"We still plan to use it," Gailey said of the Wildcat. "We had to get out of it when Brad had to go play wide receiver full-time" last year because of myriad injuries and the Bills didn't have enough practice time to get him reps at both spots."

Chan Gailey Friday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills Head Coach Chan Gailey talks about the value of OTA's, plans for Brad Smith, and his impressions of Shawne Merriman."

Transcript: Chan Gailey, Shawne Merriman, Brad Smith - BuffaloBills.com
The Bills head coach, pass rusher, and versatile offensive weapon chat with reporters following OTAs.

OTA Report - Day 10 - Offense in sync - BuffaloBills.com
The Bills closed out their OTA practices Friday and their head coach was generally pleased with what he and his coaching staff were able to accomplish with the players over the 10 days of workouts. "We’ve learned a ton about individual players over the last few weeks," said Chan Gailey. "We’ve been able to install a lot of our offense, defense, special teams. So we’ve gotten a ton out of this."

Byrd's 'Legacy Experience' a father-son effort - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills safety Jairus Byrd knew he was fortunate to have a strong relationship with his father at the age of 11. With his dad, Gill Byrd, a former Pro Bowl cornerback for the San Diego Chargers coaching his Pop Warner football team, Jairus saw the value of his father’s presence at every practice and every game. A decade later Jairus achieved Pro Bowl status in the NFL just like his dad. Now they want to help foster the father-son bond in others through their 'Legacy Experience' program."

Inside The Bills | Stevie’s return to help young CBs
"Stevie really has his own style in terms of running routes," said Ryan Fitzpatrick. "His game will help those young corners because his unpredictable game is a challenge."

Inside The Bills | Brad Smith back at WR
"It’s different," Smith told Buffalobills.com. "It’s a whole other skill set and a whole other way of thinking. But like I said I come out and do the best I can with the opportunities that I have. It’s different though, but it’s cool."

Inside The Bills | Non-participants
"The list of non-participants was headlined by Marcell Dareus Friday. Here’s the full list."

Inside The Bills | Wildcat to be installed soon
"We still plan to use it," he said. "We had to get out of it last year when Brad had to go play wide receiver for a time. You don’t have time to work on that all the time. But when we had it we thought it was a viable option for us during the course of a ball game. So we’re going to keep it. We’re going to keep working with it and the better Brad gets at quarterback, now he’s a threat to throw it and run it and that helps your Wildcat."

Inside The Bills | Backup QB a two horse race
"He’ll go into the season, unless something major changes which I don’t foresee, he’ll be the third quarterback so he’s got to have enough quarterback knowledge to get you out of a game," said Gailey of Smith.

Inside The Bills | Why OTAs valuable for D-line
"I think we’re jelling a lot more," said Merriman. "Guys understanding more of their responsibilities, where we have to be and where we have to get to. And that’s happening a lot faster for us now."

Inside The Bills | Fan Friday 6-15
Chris Brown goes over competition at special teams gunner, Shawne Merriman and Dorin Dickerson's respective roles, what will happen at receiver, and how many receivers the team will keep on their final roster.

Gailey 'excited' by Shawne Merriman's offseason - The Buffalo News
"He works hard. He looks quick. He looks healthy," Gailey continued. "That part of it has been refreshing for us, to see some what of I think we're going to see is the old Shawne Merriman this year."

Metzelaars puts in time to mold TEs - The Buffalo News
"Pete Metzelaars was one of the best blocking tight ends in the game during his 15-year NFL career, 10 of which came with the Bills from 1985 to 1994. Now Metzelaars is passing on his knowledge as the team's new tight ends coach." Really great insight in this article.

This Moorman book weaves dark, harrowing tale - The Buffalo News
"Let's just say we don't speak that way around the house," Moorman said with a laugh Thursday. "And, to be honest, the first time I read it I was, like, 'Whoa!' It scared me a little. I said 'I'm married to you?' "

WGR 550 - Bills' Nelson Enlisting Help From Retired WR Tim Brown
" Seeing all of that attention from defenses, Nelson made it a point to prepare himself both mentally and physically with his additional responsibilities as the main receiver in the slot for the Bills. This off-season, he aimed at getting stronger and was also able to sharpen up by working with long-time Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown."

WGR 550 - The Bills Complete OTA's
As far as what these three weeks have been like Gailey said, "I don’t know if we even have time to talk about it, we’ve learned a ton about individual players, we’ve been able to install a lot of our offense, defense and special teams, so we’ve gotten a ton out of this."

Buffalo Bills making progress in lease and renovation negotiations | Democrat and Chronicle
"Poloncarz confirmed the renovation price tag at being between $200 million and $220 million, which is more than double what former Erie County Executive Chris Collins projected it would be in October before talks began."

Jaworski ranks Moore behind Fitz, Sanchez - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Next up on Jaws' list is Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore at No. 26. The interesting part is not so much Moore's ranking, but the fact that Jaworski has yet to rate Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Jaworski obviously didn't keep track of last season's 'Sanchez-Fitz-Moore Watch,' in which Moore came out as the second-best quarterback in the AFC East. Moore (87.1) had a higher passer rating last season than Fitzpatrick (79.1) and Sanchez (78.2)."

On AFC East's major shift to 4-3 defenses - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Buffalo and Miami have new defensive coordinators who believe in the 4-3 scheme. So it’s no surprise Dave Wannstedt for the Bills and Kevin Coyle for the Dolphins are implementing a 4-3 scheme with their respective teams this offseason. Buffalo, particularly, has great personnel to run a 4-3 thanks to their strong defensive line led by $100 million free-agent pickup Mario Williams."

Tyler Thigpen Competing With Vince Young For NFL Career - SB Nation Kansas City
"Thigpen and Young have both earned the journeyman tag honestly, so it's an honest question to ask whether or not this is the last stop for either in the NFL. Young has bounced around to several teams and can't seem to stick despite obvious talent. Thigpen seems to be a favorite of Gailey, so if he's cut from the Bills, what will that mean for him?"

Packers, Patriots and Eagles top board; Giants at No. 6 - NFL.com
The Bills are fifth in the AFC and 13th in the NFL. High expectations, indeed.

Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen battle for Bills backup role - NFL.com
"This is Young's last, best chance to make an impact as a pro. We like his chances."

Mario Williams is 'freaking Hercules,' says Bills WR - NFL.com
"A beast, man. He's huge," Johnson said, adding that "the dude's like freaking Hercules out there. He just leans on you and gets a sack. He's looking real strong out there. Our whole defense is looking dominant."

Mario Williams on Buffalo Bills football - CBSSports.com Video
"Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams joins Jim Rome to discuss joining the Bills, their goals for this season and more on 'Rome' - Weeknights 6 ET on CBS Sports Network."

Legends: Thurman Thomas still embraces football | The Argus Leader
"Thomas worked the Legends Sports Clinic on Friday at Augustana’s Kirkeby-Over Stadium, speaking to about 300 youngsters and gamely working with them on the scorching hot turf."

Van-demonium - Dunkirk | The Observer
"I'm behind him 100 percent," Kelly said of Fitzpatrick. "You don't want to try and tell too many people too many things, but I have confidence that he can do it. He knows, he's got to play better, but so does everybody else. Ryan has become the leader I think the Bills needed. Just listening to him and how he talks to players, you can tell they respect him. And that is a key. As long as the players respect whoever is the leader, then you're half way there."

Bills Happy with Progress Made at OTA's | wgrz.com
Bills head coach Chan Gailey is happy with the progress his players have made during the past three weeks. "We've learned a ton about individual players over the last few weeks. We've been able to install a lot of our offense, defense and special team so we've gotten a ton out of this. It's certainly a lot better than last year's offseason work."

Ten Buffalo Bills To Decide 2012, No. 1: Ryan Fitzpatrick - Buffalo Rumblings
Brian Galliford finishes his series the only place he could - at quarterback.

Buffalo Bills' Brad Smith Back Practicing At Wide Receiver - Buffalo Rumblings
It would appear that Brad Smith's exclusive work at wide receiver is over. For how long, is the question.