It was the day eight of the Buffalo Bills Training Camp and the first full week of practice is now complete. The team continued to practice in full pads and work harder than they have worked in years. This is truly a different camp from what we are used to seeing. There is a lot more work on individual drills, plus more one-on-one teaching by the coaches. The players are also a lot more focused. As always, the team spent time working on the 7-on-7, 9-on-9, and the 11-on-11 drills. The team also worked on special teams drills, including kickoff coverage and line blocking on punts.
The players started out the day right away like they usually do by working on gap assignments and doing a quick walk-thru. Following the walk-thru, the team split into the individual units and worked on their own drills. My focus was the Defensive Backs and the Linebackers vs Running Backs/Tight Ends. The Defensive Backs started out practicing route running and working on footwork drills. Next, the players practiced catching balls from the jugs machine. For the most part, the players caught everything thrown their way. But, Ashton Youboty dropped one and also misjudged one. Ellis Lankster dropped one that was right off his fingertips. Drayton Florence also had one that he misjudged and couldn’t catch the ball. On the positive side, Terrence McGee timed his jumps perfectly and caught everything. Reggie Corner had a couple nice leaping catches. Leodis McKelvin also hauled in a few high ones. After the players were done with this drill, they worked on one-on-ones against eachother.
Continue reading ‘Bills Training Camp Report – August 5, 2010′
It only seemed like forever, but the C.J Spiller/Buffalo Bills saga has come to an end. ESPN’s Tim Graham reports that Spiller and the Buffalo Bills agreed to terms on a five-year, $25 million deal, that could turn into maximum value of a $37.5 million based on escalators and incentives. Of that money, $20.5 million is guaranteed.
John Clayton of ESPN first reported the imminent signing earlier this morning, reports that Spiller is en route to Buffalo to put fresh ink on the contract and could report to camp as early as this afternoon. The Bills next practice is tonight at 7PM, making it very likely Spiller will be on the field at Growney Stadium, which will please a fan base that has been extremely quiet through the first week of camp.
This leaves Seattle’s Russell Okung as the only unsigned player from this April’s NFL draft.
Spiller has missed eight days’ worth of training camp practices. Pat Kirwan wrote yesterday at NFL.com that the Bills have installed 65 percent of their offense to date, so the dynamic rookie out of Clemson has a lot of catching up to do. The team has a practice closed to the public this morning.
Once Spiller’s signing becomes official, the team will need to free up a roster spot to stay at the league’s maximum of 80 players.
(Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings contributed to this report.)
After a week of Buffalo Bills training camp, I’ve put together a list of observations based on what I’ve seen with these critical brown eyes, as well as what I’ve been told by people I trust.
These are in complete random order— and certainly not in any pecking order of importance. I also jotted these down quick and are in no kind of mood for a spell and grammar check— so deal with it.
◊ I could be wrong, but I really think 2008 second round draft pick James Hardy’s roster spot could be in jeopardy. Stevie Johnson has looked good as a number two. Marcus Easley is definitely going to get playing time, even as a rookie. The staff seems determined to do something Dick Jauron and Co. couldn’t do—find smart ways to use Roscoe Parrish. That’s four receivers right there. Chad Jackson is having a solid start to camp, and David Nelson is a serious contender for an opening day roster spot if the team keeps six receivers. That being said, competition at this position definitely will be most heavily based on the preseason. There’s a lot left to be determined of course, but I do not like Hardy’s chances right now. His high draft pedigree means nothing to this staff.
Continue reading ‘Bills Training Camp Observations’
Former Canisius College basketball player Frank Turner (Atlantic City, N.J.) has signed a professional contract to join Eiffel Towers Den Bosch, a professional team that plays in Holland in the Holland-Eredivisie. Turner signed a one-year deal with the team that finished third in the league’s standings last season.
“From an individual standpoint, Frank has accomplished many things in a relatively short amount of time,” Canisius head coach Tom Parrotta said. “He has earned two college degrees, he has his name splashed throughout the program’s record book and he has become the example for every student-athlete that comes to Canisius College from here on out. It is very simple – get a great education, play your heart out on the basketball court and be a solid individual off the court. Frank accomplished all three of these things and then some. I’m extremely proud that Frank has realized his dream of playing professional basketball and I feel he will do very well at the next level. I am very anxious to follow his pro career.”
Continue reading ‘Former Canisius Star Turner Signs Pro Deal in Holland’
