Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 7/27

Bills Roundup: First Practice Highlights - BuffaloBills.com
"Check out the top plays from the first day of training camp, plus hear from Mario Williams on his first impressions and Stevie Johnson on his big first day."

Fitz comes out throwing as Bills open camp - The Buffalo News
"I think I've improved," Fitzpatrick said. "Knowing there is some sort of process and procedure that I need to follow when I'm throwing, that's helpful. That being said, we'll see when we get into the preseason games and especially the regular season games. That's going to be the big test - to be able, when the bullets are flying, to do it, to be able to stick to the fundamentals I've worked on all offseason. ... That's going to help me a lot with my consistency."

WGR 550 - Training Camp Notebook: Day 1
"As the Buffalo Bills finished up their very first official practice of the 2012 NFL season, a few unexpected players got some first team reps while some attempting to come back from injury had to be limited. Here are a few short highlights about the day that was:"

Early start has rookies prepared - BuffaloBills.com
"Buffalo’s coaching staff had their rookies report to One Bills Drive for what essentially was the start of training camp for them on July 9th. For the past two weeks the rookies took part in a lot of physical training with the strength and conditioning staff."

August 14th night practice ticket details - BuffaloBills.com
"Tickets for the Verizon Wireless Training Camp night practice, sponsored by Kumho Tire on Tuesday, August 14th, will be available beginning this Friday, July 27th at the following Dunn Tire locations:"

Transcript: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson - BuffaloBills.com
The offensive duo talks about the opening of training camp and what they've been working on this offseason.

Transcript: Chan Gailey and Mario Williams - BuffaloBills.com
Chan Gailey wraps up the first day of camp while Mario Williams talks about what it's like to go away to camp. Williams stayed in Houston while with the Texans, and doesn't have a TV or a big enough bed.

Practice Notes - Day 1 - Stevie looks strong - BuffaloBills.com
"For a quarterback and his receiver to connect like that is a great feeling," said Johnson after practice. "I can sleep good and not have to worry about what happened on the field even though there were things that maybe the fans couldn’t see that I’ll be thinking about trying to get better on. It was a great day for everybody I feel."

Ryan Fitzpatrick Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills quarterback talks about the start of the 2012 training camp."

Mario Williams Thursday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills defensive end talks about his first practice and experiences at St. John Fisher College."

Chan Gailey Thursday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills head coach talks about the first practice, the progress of Eric Wood, and having Stevie Johnson back."

Inside The Bills | Fewer injuries for rookies?
"By having the rookies report to 1 Bills Drive on July 9th they were able to put them through the physical paces to properly prepare for the rigors of training camp and reduce the likelihood of injury for players that have yet to experience the NFL demands leading up to the regular season."

Inside The Bills | Why Bills set to take highs & lows
"The majority of our team has been through a fast start and a slow start, so I think we are mentally capable for the majority of our team of handling whichever thing happens," said Gailey. "You try to handle the good things when they happen and I think we’ll be better at handling that this year. I think we’ve proven that we can handle the tough times and try to bounce back a little bit. But I don’t want to try to prove that again."

Inside The Bills | The ‘Bills way’
"I think our way of doing things is just leaning on each other," said Fred Jackson. "We had a lot of injuries last year where we had a lot of guys that had to step in. I think that gave us a lot of experience. We have a lot of guys that are willing to step up and make some plays. I think our way of doing things is just whenever you get the opportunity to go out there and make a play for your team, do it."

Inside The Bills | Bills alumni on hand
Gabe Northern is doing a coaching internship, and Ruben Brown is doing some radio work.

Inside The Bills | McGee still shy of 100%
"I’m not 100 percent, but at the same time I’m able to get out there and compete and do some things so I’m happy about that," said McGee.

Inside The Bills | Stevie update
"I am still about the same (as OTAs)," said Johnson on the condition of his groin. "About 90-plus (percent). I never really say a hundred because nobody is perfect here. But I feel good about it. I do not feel anything in my groin so I am pretty good."

Inside The Bills | Wood: no team reps til next week
"I’d say probably after our first off day," said Gailey as to when Wood might see snaps in 11-on-11. "It might be when we shoot for that. We’re trying to be extremely smart. I think it was in the Dallas game last year so we’re what eight months removed from that. You want to be smart with that."

Inside The Bills | Stevie working on endurance
"With my body I can work out all year and then take off for the weekend and come back out of shape," said Johnson jokingly. "With a whole week of running (routes) I’ll be back at it. Today it was cool I got into it. I just need to get another two gears and I’ll be right back at where I was."

Inside The Bills | Fitz long on confidence
"I have a lot of belief in myself and I think that if I did not believe in myself I probably would have quit playing football after I was done at Harvard," he said. "I do not think many people believed I’d be where I am today. Maybe at times it seemed like a dream for me, but if I could look back now on where I was then, I have a ton of belief in myself. The self confidence is something that is huge at the quarterback position. I am ready to go out there and play. I have proved it. I have showed it. I have played well in stretches. Although, I think consistency is the big thing, and I know I can do it."

Inside The Bills | Troup taking day-by-day approach
"It is going to be a day by day thing," Troup told Buffalobills.com Contributing Correspondent Jared Kracker. "Today I just did individual to see how I feel and tomorrow I am going to come out here and do the same thing. If I feel any better I will do more and if not I will just stay away from it. The main goal when I talk to Chan (Gailey) and I talk to Buddy (Nix) is to be ready for the season opener."

Inside The Bills | First two night practices sold out
"The first two camp night practices, July 29th and Ausust 1st sponsored by Verizon Wireless are sold out."

Bills open with walkthrough; live practice in afternoon - The Buffalo News
"As scheduled, the Bills had a walkthrough session that was open only to the media. Every player was accounted for. Even tight end Mike Caussin, the only player on the physically unable-to-perform list, watched."

McGee still feeling his way back - The Buffalo News
"McGee, 31, went through conditioning testing with no problem on Wednesday. He's eight months removed from surgery, so it's no surprise he's still working his way back to full health. But McGee acknowledges he was getting concerned in May about the slow pace of rehabilitation."

CB McGee ready to go on knee - The Buffalo News
"Even in May I was up in the air. I’m definitely more encouraged," he said. "I’d be lying if I threw a number or a guess out there (on how close he is to 100 percent). I can’t really tell. Some days feel better than others. But I have progressed these last couple months, and I’m happy about that."

Audio: Bills chatter with 'Shredd and Ragan' - The Buffalo News
"On the "Shredd and Ragan Show" today, I had the chance to speak with the guys about the chief storylines heading into training camp:"

A look at AFC East top 25 player omissions - The Buffalo News
"Bills guard Andy Levitre almost made the cut. He has proven himself to be a versatile and highly reliable offensive lineman, but those 25 spots filled up quickly."

Fitz to Stevie among highlights of Day One - The Buffalo News
Mark Gaughan's complete recap of Day 1.

Mario Williams doesn't have a bed fit for a king - The Buffalo News
"When I got here guys were, like, 'Did you call Rent-A-Center?' and I said 'No, I didn't call Rent-A-Center.' Nobody even told me about it until I got here. I am sleeping on twin-size beds and no TV."

WGR 550 - Bills GM Nix Provides Levitre And Byrd Update
"Nothing's going on, except I've told them we want 'em, and we do. We'll get in to that after we get in to the season or in to camp good, we will broach that subject. Hopefully we can keep them."

WGR 550 - Fred Jackson Says Injury Last Year Was Overblown
"I don't really consider my injury last year as serious as a lot of people say. It was just a dumb bone that I fractured. I was walking around on it two weeks later without a problem. It's a non-big weight-bearing bone, so I'm fine. One-hundred percent ready to go. I'm excited to be back out here. Yeah, it took me off the field last year, but it's not a catastrophic injury that I suffered last year."

WGR 550 - Important Camp For Troup & Carrington Says Gailey
"Anybody that's going in to their third year, it's time for them to step up -- and I think they will. I think they'll give their very best effort," he started. "There's a lot of great competition there. That's going to be a very difficult decision when it comes down to it because I think we've got some good players in that area and whoever produces and plays the best are the guys we're going to keep."

WGR 550 - The Bills Are Off And Running
As far as the first day goes Gailey said, "It was typical, I mean other than not having pads on. In years past we’ve put pads on the first day, but it’s almost still like OTA’s and Mini Camp than it is real Training Camp. When we get the pads on, that’s when the real football will start."

WGR 550 - Russ Brandon:"Time To Take A Meaningful Step"
"Brandon stopped by the WGR Morning Show on Thursday and covered a number of topics with Jeremy White and Howard Simon including the high expectations."

WGR 550 - SIMON: Sheppard Ready For Challenge
Sheppard has no plans to let the new Defensive Coordinator down. "With a guy like Dave Wannstedt, he’s putting it on the line" Sheppard told WGR. "Saying I could be the nucleus of a defense with Kyle Williams, Mario Williams and guys who have proven themselves on this level. Now its my turn to go on the field and do it in actual competition."

Buffalo Bills' Mario Williams adjusts to new 'home' | Democrat and Chronicle
"Mario Williams was caught off guard by the living situation at Fisher, but as for football, he was excited about his first training camp practice with the Bills."

Buffalo Bills' Marcus Easley eager to show what he can do | Democrat and Chronicle
"Marcus Easley had already gone through the Buffalo Bills’ spring workouts and then mini camp in June, but Thursday’s opening of training camp was the real milestone. When he ran routes at St. John Fisher College and caught passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Vince Young, he knew he was back."

3 key Bills position battles to watch - CBSSports.com
"With their deepest roster in years, the Bills head to training camp with only a few key position battles. Here are the top three competitions to watch at camp:" P.S. - Mark Ludwiczak does a great job for CBS Sports Rapid Reports and they've overhauled that website. Check it out.

Training camp storylines - Peter King - SI.com
"4. Buffalo, with new hope. I'll see, briefly I'm sure, Mario Williams chasing Robert Griffin III in the first games for both, Aug. 9 in Orchard Park. Looking forward to seeing that strong Buffalo defensive line and how it's meshing -- though I probably won't see them for longer than a couple of series."

Buffalo Bills fans eager to get NFL season started | Democrat and Chronicle
"I’m serious, I cried. And screamed pretty loud. When free agency started I barely went to class for three days and followed all of the news on TV, the radio and message boards," said Bromley, who lives in Pittsford and will be a junior a Buffalo State College. "It was kind of unreal when we got him because it’s not really a Buffalo-like move but one of those things where you can tell the culture is changing."

Bills kick off camp - MPNnow
"The players weren’t in pads. The drills were ones similar to the ones run by teams all over Section 5. Still, there was an air of excitement on Thursday at St. John Fisher College. For many fans, football was back."

Fans excited about Bills’ chances in 2012 - MPNnow
"I think a lot of it has to do with the way we competed last year in the first seven or eight weeks of the season," Nelson said. "When we were all healthy and firing on all cylinders we were competing with the best teams in the league. Fans understand that we have pieces in place and we added key components."

Excitement Builds as Training Camp Starts - Rochester Homepage
See what some fans are spending to come to free practices at St. John Fisher.

Bills Training Camp: Day 1 | www.WHEC.com
Johnson said, "Just for the fact I want to get back in the swing of things; to get back used to running routes, consistently catching, being around the guys so it's a good feeling we're going to have the fans out here so it's going to be exciting, I'm trying to stay even keel its tough."

Bills Open Training Camp - WIVB
"It is a lot of the same install we went through in OTAs," said Fitzpatrick. "The biggest difference for me is (WR Stevie Johnson) is going to be on the field. He was not on the field for some of that stuff. Get him going a little bit. Maybe not on the first or the second day because of the coverages they are running and what we are throwing, bust to get that chemistry back on the field."

Buffalo Bills Lease Update | wgrz.com
"Poloncarz would not discuss which issues must still be resolved or where there are areas of agreement. But he says he does take fan concerns about potential team relocation protection , the TV blackout rule, lower ticket prices, and even the Toronto games into account when he has discussions with the Bills. Poloncarz says the only area of agreement he can share is that they won't discuss the exact status of the negotiations. "

Higgins’ Blackout Proposal Is Another Loser - Still Talkin' TV
TV critic Alan Pergament think Brian Higgins' latest proposal is still not good enough for the Bills to accept.