Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 8/23

Wed. Practice Notes - Coach's to-do list, Rogers returns - BuffaloBills.com
"But there are several things that we have to work on, timing in our passing game, running the football," said Gailey. "We don’t have to cancel any practices."

Bills need to solve their red zone blues - The Buffalo News
"Perhaps bleakest for the Bills was how they played defense in the red zone. The Bills ranked last in the NFL, allowing touchdowns 64.4 percent of the time offenses breached their 20-yard line."

12th annual Kids Day game sells out - BuffaloBills.com
"The Buffalo Bills announced that the 12th annual Kids Day Game, 7:00 PM August 25 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers is sold out and will be seen on local television. WKBW-TV in Buffalo helped secure the game for local television by guaranteeing the purchase of all remaining tickets. For fans who are still interested in attending the game, limited ticket inventory will remain available for purchase at all Buffalo Bills ticket outlets."

Bills waive pair of DBs - BuffaloBills.com
"The Buffalo Bills made a couple of roster moves prior to their afternoon practice Wednesday. Cornerback Cris Hill and safety Josh Nesbitt were waived-injured by the club. The release of the two defensive backs puts Buffalo’s roster total at 86. The Bills must reduce their roster to 75 players by Monday, Aug. 27th by 4 pm."

Transcript: Chan Gailey, QB Fitzpatrick & DE Williams - BuffaloBills.com
The three members of the team talked after practice yesterday,

Mario Williams Wednesday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills defensive end talks about preparing for the Steelers on Saturday, if there's a sense of concern with the defense, and how the team feels about their run defense."

Ryan Fitzpatrick Wednesday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills quarterback talks about what he's looking for from the offense against Pittsburgh, if there's a sense of urgency, and how treating this week like a game week has helped. "

Chan Gailey Wednesday Press Conference - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills head coach talks about the progress of Justin Rogers, what kind of impact he expects from Mario Williams, and what kind of improvements he wants to see from the defense."

Inside The Bills | Wednesday non-participants
It's a pretty short list right now thanks to two releases and some guys coming back.

Inside The Bills | Rogers back practicing
"Justin Rogers hasn’t practiced in three weeks, but he’s back on the practice field today."

Inside The Bills | Wood’s reps to double Saturday
"I don’t think he’ll get quite as many as the starting unit," said Gailey. "We’ll try to double his snaps from last week and push him up to 20 snaps this week. So we’ll try to keep building with him."

Inside The Bills | CB Rogers has chance to play Sat.
"We’re going to look at it," said Gailey. "I think it’s a combination of how he feels, how he moves, talking to him. We want to be smart about it, but he’s got a chance to play this week."

Bills diehard Upchurch a finalist for Hall of Fans - The Buffalo News
"But the reason Upchurch is one of 10 finalists for the Hall of Fans, a joint venture by ESPN and StubHub to honor the people who support sports, is how his love for the Bills helped him recover from a traumatic brain injury."

Pro Football Weekly previews the AFC East - The Buffalo News
"In its AFC East preview, the New England Patriots were the clear choice to win the division. The Buffalo Bills also got some love, but there was a strong sentiment they might not be as good as the New York Jets, let alone the reigning conference champs."

Gailey: Mark Anderson should be back next week - The Buffalo News
"Brad Smith did not wear the red no-contact quarterback jersey for a third straight day and instead worked out with the receivers again. Fans shouldn't read too much into this development. Gailey is running this week's practice schedule as though it's the regular season. The third quarterback generally runs the scout team, simulating the upcoming opponent's offense. Tyler Thigpen has been doing that this week. Smith might as well get some reps with the receivers."

WGR 550 - Bills' Stevie Johnson Says Groin Is A Bit Sore
"The entire training camp I was good," the wideout said in reference to his groin. "[Wednesday], I don't know if this happened [Tuesday] or what not but I guess it just got a little sore. It's no like pop or injury -- just sore that's all it is."

WGR 550 - Bills' Mario Williams Thinks Steelers Will Test Them
"We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, facing the Steelers they’re a smash mouth football team," said Mario Williams. "It’s one of those things, we really don’t get to see it a lot in practice against our offense so we’ve got to prepare amongst ourselves to get the right looks, not just at practice, but whenever home studying film."

Buffalo Bills' Robert Eddins rises on the depth chart | Democrat and Chronicle
"When they brought me back in, it was a blessing," he said. "Stability is something every human being wants. I’m big on family and this is like family. It’s like your second family, or maybe your first during the season because of all the time you spend with them. This is where I want to be."

Hope and concern: Buffalo Bills - AFC East Blog - ESPN
The Bills can hope because their receivers are emerging, but should be concerned about slow starts, says James Walker.

Fitz, Moore better than Sanchez, Tebow? - AFC East Blog - ESPN
Wow. I think this list stinks and I don't have a horse in this race. Fitzpatrick ranks 19th but Garrard and Hoyer in front of Tebow is surprising considering the guy won a playoff game a year ago.

AFC East and Maurice Jones-Drew - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"Analysis: The Bills have two starting-caliber running backs in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Buffalo has enough trouble as it is finding enough carries for these two tailbacks. There's no use for "MJD" in Buffalo's pass-heavy offense. MJD interest meter: 2"

Young seeks court protection regarding loan | National Football Post
"Young maintains he had no knowledge of a loan taken out in his name with Pro Player Funding, and is asking the court to prevent the company from collecting in full the remaining $1.69 million it claims it is owed after Young missed a payment, causing a default and a full payment."

The Truth About Fitz and Picks - Trending Buffalo
Brad Riter assigns blame to each of Ryan Fitzpatrick's 23 interceptions, but points out at the end that you could do it with every quarterback in the league. Fitzpatrick led the NFL in interceptions a year ago.

Bills Young DEs May Be Diamonds in the Rough - YNN
"There's just so many good guys in the room. We just want to compete. We knew there was a lot of competition coming in. Worrying about guys getting released and things like that is not a big talk," Eddins said.

Catching up on Buffalo's 2011 waiver wire acquisitions - Buffalo Rumblings
User "DanRoc" goes through each waiver pick-up from a year ago and projects if they'll make the 2012 roster and how they might contribute.