Training Camp Practice Report: July 30
While the move of Langston Walker from right to left tackle was the big news of the day, the Bills run defense made an early statement that they're going to be better in 2008. The unit was plugging up the middle effectively and strung out several wide running plays as well.
In fact on all but one running play the Bills defensive front did not let the running back get more than a yard beyond the line of scrimmage. Marcus Stroud set the tone when he penetrated and grabbed Marshawn Lynch in the offensive backfield.
Dwayne Wright was surrounded on two straight rushes one in which he was wrapped up by a host of tacklers for a loss. And an off tackle run play for Xavier Omon didn't get very far either as Buffalo's run defense swarmed to the ball.
"I think we've done pretty good the first couple of practices in pads, but it's a long way to go and I definitely don't think we're as good as we're going to be," said Kyle Williams. "We're still developing some chemistry, but playing hard is the main thing and we've got some guys that can play."
Bills head coach Dick Jauron is cautiously optimistic that his run defense will be better in 2008.
"I'm encouraged about everything with our teams and the direction we're taking, but it's still got to have results on game days and we're just not going to know for a while, but I like our guys. I think we've increased our talent level significantly in some spots so we've got a chance, but that's all it is."
Injury update
Angelo Crowell missed practice for a second straight day with an ailing knee. J.P. Losman and Ko Simpson were back taking reps on offense and defense respectively Wednesday. Losman's reps looked to be somewhat limited as the training staff likely did not want is jammed thumb to be overworked.
"With Angelo (head athletic trainer) Bud (Carpenter) doesn't think it'll be a long thing, nor does he think it's very serious," said Jauron.
Also not practicing was rookie receiver Steve Johnson. Johnson had his right knee wrapped while watching practice. Jauron said Johnson should not miss more than a day or two.
Defensive end Shaun Nua left practice early with a left leg ailment, but the specific nature of the injury was undisclosed. Nua did have a support stocking on his left calf during practice before heading to the locker room early.
Depth chart changes
With the Langston Walker switch, Aaron Schobel's absence and some injured players sitting out there were several shuffles to the first and second team lineups.
Kirk Chambers went to the right tackle spot with the first unit as he flip-flopped with Walker.
With Aaron Schobel excused he was replaced by Ryan Denney and Chris Ellis moved up to the second team to replace Denney. Once Nua left practice to help fill the void at defensive end Jason Jefferson took some snaps on the edge much like he did last year when the team was shorthanded.
Angelo Crowell was replaced by Keith Ellison with rookie free agent Marcus Buggs replacing Ellison on the second team defense.
Felton Huggins, Jason Jones and Scott Mayle all got more reps due to the absence of Johnson.
Highlights
During 7-on-7 work rookie tight end Derek Fine had a nice reception down the seam on a well-timed play with Gibran Hamdan. Fine was also mixed in with the first unit for a few reps here and there.
Other than that Lee Evans and Josh Reed dominated the 7-on-7 passing segment catching six of the eight attempts made by Edwards with the first team.
There was some lengthy work in the red zone Wednesday. Felton Huggins made an acrobatic grab at the five-yard line on a ball that was a little high from Losman. On the next play Losman delivered a nice looking fade pass to James Hardy in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Defensively Terrence McGee recorded an interception on an underthrown ball on an attempted fade to Hardy. McGee made the pick four yards deep in the end zone. Ashton Youboty also raked a ball away from Scott Mayle to force an incompletion.
Derek Schouman went up the ladder to make a leaping touchdown reception in the back left corner of the end zone for the score on a pass from Hamdan.
"The red zone is critical to every team," said Jauron. "We haven't performed very well or scored a lot of points the past two years. We need to score points. We'd just as soon score them from outside the red zone, but we need to work on specific plays down there and the sooner the better."
For special teams update:
While the move of Langston Walker from right to left tackle was the big news of the day, the Bills run defense made an early statement that they're going to be better in 2008. The unit was plugging up the middle effectively and strung out several wide running plays as well.
In fact on all but one running play the Bills defensive front did not let the running back get more than a yard beyond the line of scrimmage. Marcus Stroud set the tone when he penetrated and grabbed Marshawn Lynch in the offensive backfield.
Dwayne Wright was surrounded on two straight rushes one in which he was wrapped up by a host of tacklers for a loss. And an off tackle run play for Xavier Omon didn't get very far either as Buffalo's run defense swarmed to the ball.
"I think we've done pretty good the first couple of practices in pads, but it's a long way to go and I definitely don't think we're as good as we're going to be," said Kyle Williams. "We're still developing some chemistry, but playing hard is the main thing and we've got some guys that can play."
Bills head coach Dick Jauron is cautiously optimistic that his run defense will be better in 2008.
"I'm encouraged about everything with our teams and the direction we're taking, but it's still got to have results on game days and we're just not going to know for a while, but I like our guys. I think we've increased our talent level significantly in some spots so we've got a chance, but that's all it is."
Injury update
Angelo Crowell missed practice for a second straight day with an ailing knee. J.P. Losman and Ko Simpson were back taking reps on offense and defense respectively Wednesday. Losman's reps looked to be somewhat limited as the training staff likely did not want is jammed thumb to be overworked.
"With Angelo (head athletic trainer) Bud (Carpenter) doesn't think it'll be a long thing, nor does he think it's very serious," said Jauron.
Also not practicing was rookie receiver Steve Johnson. Johnson had his right knee wrapped while watching practice. Jauron said Johnson should not miss more than a day or two.
Defensive end Shaun Nua left practice early with a left leg ailment, but the specific nature of the injury was undisclosed. Nua did have a support stocking on his left calf during practice before heading to the locker room early.
Depth chart changes
With the Langston Walker switch, Aaron Schobel's absence and some injured players sitting out there were several shuffles to the first and second team lineups.
Kirk Chambers went to the right tackle spot with the first unit as he flip-flopped with Walker.
With Aaron Schobel excused he was replaced by Ryan Denney and Chris Ellis moved up to the second team to replace Denney. Once Nua left practice to help fill the void at defensive end Jason Jefferson took some snaps on the edge much like he did last year when the team was shorthanded.
Angelo Crowell was replaced by Keith Ellison with rookie free agent Marcus Buggs replacing Ellison on the second team defense.
Felton Huggins, Jason Jones and Scott Mayle all got more reps due to the absence of Johnson.
Highlights
During 7-on-7 work rookie tight end Derek Fine had a nice reception down the seam on a well-timed play with Gibran Hamdan. Fine was also mixed in with the first unit for a few reps here and there.
Other than that Lee Evans and Josh Reed dominated the 7-on-7 passing segment catching six of the eight attempts made by Edwards with the first team.
There was some lengthy work in the red zone Wednesday. Felton Huggins made an acrobatic grab at the five-yard line on a ball that was a little high from Losman. On the next play Losman delivered a nice looking fade pass to James Hardy in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
Defensively Terrence McGee recorded an interception on an underthrown ball on an attempted fade to Hardy. McGee made the pick four yards deep in the end zone. Ashton Youboty also raked a ball away from Scott Mayle to force an incompletion.
Derek Schouman went up the ladder to make a leaping touchdown reception in the back left corner of the end zone for the score on a pass from Hamdan.
"The red zone is critical to every team," said Jauron. "We haven't performed very well or scored a lot of points the past two years. We need to score points. We'd just as soon score them from outside the red zone, but we need to work on specific plays down there and the sooner the better."
For special teams update:
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