By Michael Thomas
Well, it’s finally here! The 2012 Buffalo Bills training camp officially began on Thursday afternoon. After a long offseason, and some new additions, the team came together at St. John Fisher for their first practice on the grass fields. Unlike last year, the team now has a full 100-yard field to work with, on the Polisseni track and field complex. They also have a brand new grass field that they will be using for some individual drills. The players wore light shoulder pads and shorts as it was the first day, so there wasn’t much contact made. On the field, the Buffalo Bills team worked on their usual individual drills, 7-on-7, 11-on-11 and some special teams work, including kickoff coverage.
To start the day off, the players separated into individual units. The offense worked on the main field, while the defense practiced away from the stands on the new grass field. Ryan Fitzpatrick showed some good chemistry with Stevie Johnson in the receiver drills. They connected several times and it’s obvious who the favorite target is. Fitzpatrick also connected with David Nelson for a couple and TJ Graham, who made a sweet catch as he fell down on his back after Justin Rogers tipped the ball.
Following the individual drills, the team went right to work on 7-on-7 passing drills. Ryan Fitzpatrick started it off with a 13-yard pass to Stevie Johnson. He then found Derek Hagan, but Stephon Gilmore broke it up. Fitzpatrick then connected with Scott Chandler for 8-yards and followed it with a pass to Marcus Easley for 6-yards. Tyler Thigpen came on the field next and started out with a pass intended for Dorin Dickerson, but Arthur Moats and Jairus Byrd covered him like a blanket. He then found TJ Graham for 10-yards. Thigpen followed that with a pass to Fendi Onobun for 6-yards. On his last play, Thigpen overthrew Ruvell Martin. Vince Young came onto the field next and had his pass deflected by Tank Carder and intercepted by Ron Brooks. He then found David Clowney for 5-yards. On the next play, Vince Young was intercepted again, this time by Carder, who made a great play on a poorly thrown ball and he would have ran it back for a touchdown. Young finished the series off with a pass to Naaman Roosevelt. Ryan Fitzpatrick came back onto the field with the starters and found Donald Jones for 9-yards. He then spotted Stevie Johnson, but Stephon Gilmore broke it up. Fitzpatrick then went back to Jones for 8-yards. On the next play, Fitzpatrick threw a 6-yard pass to Stevie Johnson. He then found Lee Smith for 12-yards. On the final play of the drill, Ryan Fitzpatrick dumped it off to CJ Spiller. But Nick Barnett was ready for Spiller and stopped him for no gain.
The horn sounded and the linemen came back to go to work on the full team 11-on-11 drills. Ryan Fitpatrick started it off with a 7-yard pass to Derek Hagan. He then found Stevie Johnson lined up against Stephon Gilmore and connected with him for 35-yards, but it could have gone for more. Fred Jackson got the ball next and learned how much harder it’s going to be to run on our defense, he only gained a couple yards. Fitzpatrick then threw a screen to CJ Spiller for a short gain. Spiller then carried the ball up the middle and found a hole where he squeezed through and gained 12-yards. Fitzpatrick finished the series off with a pass to David Nelson for 12-yards. Tyler Thigpen got his chance and found Kevin Brock, but he dropped the pass. He then found David Clowney for 11-yards. Tashard Choice got the ball next and ran up the middle for 6-yards. Johnny White then ran up the middle for 10-yards. Thigpen then tried to connect with Ruvell Martin, but Justin Rogers made a nice defensive play to break it up. On the final play of the series, there was a miscommunication and the ball from Thigpen to Graham ended up incomplete.
Vince Young got his chance to show what he can do and hit Naaman Roosevelt for 3-yards. Tashard Choice then carried the ball and ran up the middle for 5-yards. Young then found Fendi Onobun for 6-yards. On the next play, Johnny White showed good speed up the middle for a 10-yard gain. Chris Douglas then ran around the left tackle for a big gain of 15-yards. Brad Smith was at Quarterback and connected with Ruvell Martin for 7-yards. The starters then came back on the field and Fred Jackson slipped on the field and was immediately engulfed by Marcell Dareus for no gain. Ryan Fitzpatrick then hit Stevie Johnson for 8-yards. He followed that with a 12-yard pass to Dorin Dickerson. On the next play, Fitzpatrick overthrew Donald Jones. He then found Lee Smith, who dropped it. On the final play of the drill, Fitzpatrick was almost intercepted by Leodis McKelvin, but he couldn’t hold on.
The team then went to work on some special teams drills. First they practiced kickoffs and kickoff coverage. The kick returners were Brad Smith, CJ Spiller, Donald Jones and Justin Rogers. I was impressed with Brad Smith’s speed on his returns. He could have easily taken it back for a touchdown on one return. Spiller also showed some good speed, as did Justin Rogers. Rogers looked very comfortable out there and hopefully will be our starting kick returner for the season. The team also worked on field goals and Rian Lindell was his usual solid self. He looked good on all of the field goals, including one that would have been a 52-yard field goal to finish the drill.
Following the special teams work, the team came back together for one final 11-on-11 drill to end the day. Fred Jackson started it out and was immediately stuffed at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Corey McIntyre then got a carry and ran for 4-yards around the right tackle. Ryan Fitzpatrick then overthrew Stevie Johnson. CJ Spiller got the ball next and ran up the middle for 3-yards. Fitzpatrick then connected with Stevie Johnson for 7-yards. On the next play, Fitzpatrick threw a 16-yard pass to David Nelson. Tashard Choice then ran around the right tackle for 10-yards. Tyler Thigpen then ran a QB keeper for 8-yards. He followed that up with another keeper for 6-yards. Choice got the ball again and ran around the left tackle for 5-yards. Johnny White then ran up the middle for 4-yards. Thigpen finished the series up by overthrowing Ruvell Martin.
Fred Jackson came back with the starters and ran up the middle for 8-yards, but then was stuffed at the line on the next play. Fitzpatrick then hit Stevie Johnson, who made a nice catch for 25-yards. Spiller then ran up the middle for 6-yards. Fitzpatrick then threw two consecutive passes to Stevie Johnson, one for 12-yards and the other was for 15-yards. Stevie made a sweet tiptoe catch at the sideline for his second catch. Tashard Choice then carried the ball up the middle for 3-yards and followed that by getting tackled for a short gain by Tank Carder on his second carry. Vince Young then connected with David Clowney for 14-yards. Johnny White got the ball next and tried to get to the outside, but only gained about 2-yards. Young then found Kevin Brock for 4-yards. Chris Douglas got the ball next and ran around the right tackle for 9-yards. On the final play of the series, Young connected with Dorin Dickerson for 6-yards. Fred Jackson came back for a final time with the starters and had a nice 12-yard run up the middle. He followed that with a 15-yard run around the left tackle. Ryan Fitzpatrick then tried to connect with Scott Chandler, but it was broken up by Kirk Morrison and Da’Norris Searcy. Fitzpatrick then hit Marcus Easley for 7-yards. On the final play of the day, Fitzpatrick had his pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and it fell incomplete.
Extra Points:
1. Tank Carder was the star of the day! I was very impressed with what I saw from him. He was tipping passes, intercepting passes and making tackles. I noticed him several times in the backfield. He’s definitely a player I will be keeping an eye on.
2. The offensive star of the day has to go to Stevie Johnson. He looks to be in perfect sync with Ryan Fitzpatrick and was catching everything thrown his way. And there was a lot thrown his way, as Fitzpatrick really likes him.
3. The other player that really stood out to me was Mark Anderson. He was harassing Fitzpatrick and the other quarterbacks several times and did a great job getting into the backfield. I have a feeling we’ll hear his name quite a bit in camp when the pads go on.
4. I definitely can’t see a Quarterback controversy brewing, unless Vince Young really steps up. He looked horrible in the 7-on-7 passing drills and didn’t look much better in the 11-on-11 drills. I will be interested in seeing how he does as camp progresses and he learns the plays more and gets used to his receivers. Plus Fitzpatrick is loved by the coaching staff.
5. The Bills are not rushing Eric Wood into any team drills and I’m fine with that. Kraig Urbik took his spot at center in the team drills and did a pretty good job. He opened a few holes in the running game and wasn’t pushed back at all. I have a feeling even when Wood is back, we’ll still see Urbik out there at center, giving Wood some rest. Afterall, he is coming off a torn ACL. It’s best not to overdo it.
6. Props to Ryan Fitzpatrick, Vince Young, Brad Smith, Fred Jackson, CJ Spiller, David Nelson, Corey McIntyre, Tashard Choice, Johnny White, and of course George Wilson for signing autographs after practice. Several of them, including David Nelson, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson signed autographs and took photos with fans for a good half hour and stayed around to get as many people as they could.
Overall, it was a good day at St. John Fisher. There was a solid turnout from the fans, the stands were pretty full and the weather cooperated. Even though it looked like it was going to, the rain didn’t start until after the practice was long over. The practice itself was very slow paced, but I’m sure when they put the pads on next week, it will definitely pick up a bit.