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Buffalo Bills Training Camp Report: 8/5/2013

By Michael J. Thomas

Buffalo Bills Training Camp Gallery – Monday, August 5, 2013

For the first time in years, the Buffalo Bills had a full team scrimmage at St. John Fisher. The stands were packed with people who came to check out the new look Buffalo Bills. The fans were treated to almost an hour of full team scrimmage, along with red zone work, goal line drills and a 2 minute drill to finish the night. Kevin Kolb was out due to injury, so rookie Quarterback EJ Manuel split the reps with fellow rookie Jeff Tuel.

As always the team started out the night by stretching and then went right to work on the individual drills. They spent about 10 minutes working on route running and the other fundamentals to get ready for the scrimmage. Following the individual drills, the team spent another 15 minutes on special teams, focusing on kick returns. The kick returners were Brad Smith, Marquise Goodwin and TJ Graham. Goodwin displayed his blazing speed on a couple of the returns, which drew some loud cheers from the fans.

Following the special teams work, the team spent some time on the 7-on-7 passing drills. EJ Manuel started it off with a 4-yard pass to Tashard Choice. He then connected with Marquise Goodwin for 10-yards. Jeff Tuel then came in and connected with Dorin Dickerson for 15-yards and then 8-yards. On the next play, Tuel threw a pass to Brandon Kaufman who bobbled it and the ball ended up getting intercepted by Jumal Rolle. On the final play of the series, Tuel threw a screen to Terrell Sinkfield who was stopped after a short gain. EJ Manuel came back onto the field and dumped the ball off to Zach Brown for 6-yards. He then found Da’Rick Rogers for 10-yards. On the next play, Manuel hit Marcus Easley for 13-yards. He then connected with Marquise Goodwin for 3-yards. Jeff Tuel came back onto the field and connected with DeMarco Sampson for 8-yards. On the next play, Tuel had no one open so he ran with the ball and gained 3-yards. He then threw a 7-yard pass to TE Nick Provo. On the final play of the drill, Tuel saw Brandon Kaufman and threw his way. However, Dominique Ellis and Keith Pough were both there to break up the play. They crashed into the field as the ball went incomplete and Keith Pough hobbled off the field.

After the 7-on-7 drills, the team went to work on the full team scrimmage. Usually I would write big paragraphs to describe the plays, but I’m going to write them in a different way, listing the down and the play-by-play. The ball is placed on the 30-yard line and the offense has 70-yards to go. I hope you enjoy these.

First Drive:
1st and 10 – CJ Spiller runs up the middle for 3-yards.
2nd and 7 – CJ Spiller runs around the right tackle for 7-yards.
1st and 10 – CJ Spiller is tackled behind the line by Kiko Alonso for a short loss
2nd and 12 – EJ Manuel is intercepted by Leodis McKelvin who jumped in front of the pass and then ran it back for a touchdown. Extra point is good for Rian Lindell.

Second Drive:
1st and 10 – EJ Manuel felt some pressure from Jerry Hughes, and then overthrew Scott Chandler.
2nd and 10 – Fred Jackson runs up the middle for 3-yards.
3rd and 7 – EJ Manuel would have been sacked by Jamie Blatnick
4th and 3 – Shaun Powell had a nice high and far punt for 55-yards. Leodis McKelvin dropped the ball and then fell on it.

Third Drive:
1st and 10 – Tashard Choice runs up the middle for 4-yards.
2nd and 6 – Jeff Tuel to Terrell Sinkfield for 8-yards.
1st and 10 – Jeff Tuel has a beautiful pass to Marquise Goodwin for 41-yards.
1st and 2 – Tashard Choice runs up the middle for 2-yard touchdown. Extra point is good for Dustin Hopkins.

Fourth Drive:
1st and 10 – Zach Brown runs up the middle for 4-yards.
2nd and 6 – Zach Brown runs up the middle for 3-yards.
3rd and 3 – Zach Brown tackled behind the line by Torell Troup and Kourtnei Brown.
4th and 5 – Brian Stahovich with a beautiful 65-yard punt. 15-yard return for Robert Woods.

Fifth Drive:
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins runs around right tackle for 8-yards.
2nd and 2 – Jeff Tuel to Brad Smith, who was tackled at the feet for a short loss by Jordan Dangerfield.
3rd and 3 – Jeff Tuel to Brad Smith for 12-yards.
1st and 10 – Jeff Tuel nice looking pass to a wide open Da’Rick Rogers for 50-yards, just short of the goal line.
1st and 1 – Kendall Gaskins runs up the middle for 1-yard touchdown. Extra point is good for Dustin Hopkins.

Sixth Drive:
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins explodes up the middle for 15-yards.
1st and 10 – Jeff Tuel to Dorin Dickerson for 12-yards.
1st and 10 – Jeff Tuel to Dorin Dickerson for 3-yards.
2nd and 7 – Jeff Tuel throws a screen to Kendall Gaskins, sniffed out by Chris White for a loss of 2-yards. Timeout called by Offense.
3rd and 9 – Jeff Tuel beautiful touch pass to Marcus Easley for 32-yards.
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins up the middle for 2-yards. Aaron Tipoti is helped off the field with an injury.
2nd and 8 – Jeff Tuel has pass tipped at line.
3rd and 8 – Jeff Tuel overthrows Marquise Goodwin.
4th and 8 – Rian Lindell 27-yard field goal is Good. Then the team takes a brief break and the ball is then placed on the 40-yard line

Seventh Drive:
1st and 10 – Zach Brown up the middle for 2-yards. Tackled by Chris White.
2nd and 8 – Zach Brown stuffed at line.
3rd and 8 – Jamie Blatnick and Marcell Dareus would have had a sack on EJ Manuel.
4th and 12 – Brian Stahovich with a nice 47-yard punt to the 15-yard line. Leodis McKelvin returns it for 10-yards.

Eighth Drive:
1st and 10 – EJ Manuel overthrows DeMarco Sampson
2nd and 10 – EJ Manuel with the read option, runs the ball for 5-yard before he slides to avoid Marcus Dowtin who was headed towards him.
3rd and 5 – Zach Brown is tossed like a ragdoll behind the line by Jamie Blatnick.
4th and 8 – Brian Stahovich punts the ball high in the air to the 6-yard line. Leodis McKelvin calls for a fair catch.

Ninth Drive:
1st and 10 – EJ Manuel tosses it to Kendall Gaskins who runs around the right tackle for 6-yards.
2nd and 4 – Kendall Gaskins stuffed for loss of 2-yards by Alex Carrington
3rd and 6 – EJ Manuel pass to Dorin Dickerson, broken up by Ron Brooks.

Tenth Drive:
1st and 10 – EJ Manuel to Lee Smith for 13-yards.
1st and 10 – Robert Woods takes the end around, but is stopped for no gain. Nice tackle by Kourtnei Brown.
2nd and 10 – EJ Manuel pass tipped at line by Torell Troup and then intercepted by Arthur Moats.

Eleventh Drive:
1st and 10 – Fred Jackson is stopped behind the line by Jarron Gilbert for a loss of 4-yards.
2nd and 14 – EJ Manuel scrambles up the middle for 2-yards.
3rd and 12 – EJ Manuel to Robert Woods, just missed him. Good coverage by Crezdon Butler.
4th and 12 – Shawn Powell punts to 20-yard line for 45-yards. Leodis McKelvin returns it for 12-yards.

Twelth Drive:
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins explodes up the middle for 16-yards.
1st and 10 – Jeff Tuel has pass tipped and was almost intercepted by Kip Edwards.
2nd and 10 – Jeff Tuel to Nick Provo for 10-yards.
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins up the middle for 8-yards. Nice shoestring tackle by Kourtnei Brown.
2nd and 2 – Kendall Gaskins up the middle for 5-yards.
1st and 10 – Kendall Gaskins stuffed by Chris White for short loss.
2nd and 11 – Jeff Tuel runs with it and gains 1-yard.
3rd and 9 – Jeff Tuel to Kendall Gaskins for 2-yards
4th and 7 – Dustin Hopkins 25-yard field goal is Good.

Following the regular scrimmage, the team took a brief break and then went to work on red zone drills. The ball was placed on the 30-yard line. Jerry Hughes started it out with a sack on EJ Manuel. Tashard Choice then ran up the middle for 2-yards. On the next play, Manuel saw TJ Graham, but he dropped the ball. Rian Lindell then tried a 52-yard field goal and had the distance, but just shanked it wide. The offense tried again at the 30 and this time Tashard Choice was stuffed by Marcell Dareus after a gain of 2-yards. Choice then ran up the middle for 4-yards. On the next play, EJ Manuel then threw a beautiful 28-yard pass to TJ Graham for a touchdown. The team then moved back to the 30-yard line for another crack at it. Tashard Choice ran up the middle for 2-yards and hobbled off the field. On the next play, no one was open, so EJ Manuel ran with the ball but was stopped by Nigel Bradham for a short loss. Manuel then held onto the ball too long and would have been sacked by Marcell Dareus. Kendall Gaskins then got a chance, but was stopped by Torell Troup for no gain. On the next play, EJ Manuel found Chris Hogan down the field, but Nickell Roby received a pass interference penalty. The ball was then placed at the 3-yard line. Gaskins tried to get in first and was stopped at the 1-yard line. EJ Manuel then faked out the defense with a nice play action fake where the defense plugged the middle to stop Gaskins, but Manuel ran around the left tackle and walked into the end zone for the 1-yard touchdown.

Jeff Tuel then came onto the field with the backups and found Kendall Gaskins for 13-yards. Gaskins then ran up the middle for 2-yards. He followed that with a 1-yard run after getting stopped by Arthur Moats. Tuel then tried to hook up with Da’Rick Rogers but it was broken up by Crezdon Butler. Dustin Hopkins then came in and kicked a 25-yard field goal. EJ Manuel came back in and found Nick Provo for 18-yards. Frank Summers then ran up the middle for a short gain. On the next play, Manuel found Drew Smith for a 12-yard touchdown. Jeff Tuel then came back in with the 3rd stringers. He started out by throwing a pass to Dorin Dickerson, but he was called for offensive pass interference. Tuel was then sacked by Jamie Blatnick. On the next play, Tuel was hit by Chris White and threw it out of bounds. Tuel then overthrew Brad Smith. Dustin Hopkins then got a chance to kick a 52-yard line and nailed it.

After another short break, the team went to work on goal line drills with the ball placed on the 5. Kendall Gaskins started it out and was stuffed by Torell Troup and Marcell Dareus. He then tried it again and was tackled for a short loss by Kiko Alonso. Gaskins got one more chance and this time he was stopped by Alex Carrington who tackled him at the line. On his next try, Gaskins ran up the middle for 4-yards. He then got one more chance and was stopped by Da’Norris Searcy behind the line of scrimmage. Tashard Choice then got his crack at it and ran up the middle for 2-yards. He then ran around the left tackle for another 2-yards. On the next play, Choice powered up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. The ball was then moved back to the 5 and Choice had a nice run around Cordy Glenn who had a good block to spring him into the end zone for the 5-yard touchdown. Tashard Choice then got another shot at it and ran up the middle for 2-yards until Nigel Bradham shoved him to the ground. He then ran around the right side and gained 2 yards until Chris White tackled him. Choice was then stuffed for 2 straight plays.

Following the goal line drills, the team finished the day off with a 2-minute drill. Each team had 1:54 on the clock and needed to go 75-yards. EJ Manuel started it off with a 1-yard pass to Brad Smith. Fred Jackson then ran up the middle for 15-yards. Manuel then threw a pass to Robert Woods who appeared to make a nice leaping grab, but it was ruled incomplete. Manuel then went back to Robert Woods for 20-yards. He made a very nice catch and got himself out of bounds to stop the clock. On the next play, Manuel found Fred Jackson for 13-yards. He then went back to Jackson who had some good run after the catch to gain 26-yards. The team then took a timeout with 29 seconds to go. Tashard Choice finished the drive off with a 1-yard touchdown run. Jeff Tuel and the backup team came onto the field next. Tashard Choice started it out with a 4-yard run up the middle. Jeff Tuel then overthrew Marcus Easley. On the next play, Tuel found Marquise Goodwin who made a spectacular catch right over Leodis McKelvin for 26-yards. Tuel went back to Goodwin on the next play, but he dropped it. Tashard Choice then ran up the middle for 2-yards. Tuel then connected with Da’Rick Rogers for 7-yards and the team took a timeout with 33 seconds to go. On 4th and 1, Tashard Choice ran the ball behind the right guard and powered through for a 1st down. Jeff Tuel then spiked the ball to stop the clock with 16 seconds to go. Jeff Tuel was then about to be crushed by Jamie Blatnick, so he threw the ball away. On the next play, Tuel was sacked by Alex Carrington and Jerry Hughes which ended the drill and the practice.

Extra Points:

1. EJ Manuel looked shaky throughout the scrimmage and you could tell he was a little rattled by all the pressure he was getting. He did rebound later in the day and had a very nice 2-minute drill. Overall, I’m not overly concerned. He had some good moments and bad moments. But the truth is that Jeff Tuel looked like the better quarterback in the main scrimmage and showed a really nice deep ball several different times. If anything, I was more impressed with Tuel than I was disappointed with Manuel.

2. My offensive player of the day has got to be Marquise Goodwin. He showed blazing speed during several deep plays and looked really quick in the special teams drills. I was also impressed with his hands more than I was with Robert Woods who had a few dropped passes. Goodwin made several acrobatic catches and drew a lot of cheers throughout the night.

3. The defensive player of the day is a toss up for me. I love how Alex Carrington was roaming all over the field and was getting in the backfield quite a bit. He looks like he’s finally developing into the player that Buddy Nix loved when he selected him in the 3rd round. On the other hand, I was also noticing Jamie Blatnick almost every single play. He did a nice job pressuring the quarterbacks and making their lives miserable. He also did a very good job containing the running game.

4. I have mentioned Dustin Hopkins a bunch of times and there’s a reason why. It looks like he is going to be given every chance to steal the starting kicker job from Rian Lindell. I see him taking that chance and running with it. He’s already a lot better at kickoffs and now he nailed all his field goals including a 52-yard field goal that was probably good from another 10-yards.

5. Kendall Gaskins is an intriguing name for me. He’s looked very good at camp and was given a majority of carries through the scrimmage. I thought he did a nice job running and showed some good explosiveness as he broke thru the holes. I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye on him.

6. Props go to Coach Doug Marrone for giving us fans our first scrimmage at St. John Fisher since Gregg Williams was in town. It helped pack the stands and it gave us a good show to watch. I loved seeing and hearing the tackling and the players were really getting into it all day long.

Overall, it was a great night at St. John Fisher College. It was perfect football weather and the stands were jammed full. I wouldn’t be surprised if they set a record for the amount of people at camp last night. The action on the field was fun to watch and a good tease before the Bills’ first pre-season game on Sunday.