Buffalo Bills open training camp on a healthy note

[YardRat]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Buffalo-Bills-open-training-camp-on-a-healthy-note-99475712

There's nothing wrong with Shawne Merriman's surgically repaired Achilles tendon, given how easily the defensive end burst past tackle Cordy Glenn shortly after the Buffalo Bills opened training camp Thursday.

Receiver Stevie Johnson's surgically repaired groin wasn't bothering him after making an acrobatic catch on the run. And defensive tackle Kyle Williams was so happy to be back on the field after having foot surgery nine months ago, that it reminded him of how much he missed playing.
''I never felt I needed to be reminded about how lucky we are to play the game,'' Williams said. ''It's great to be back out there, and hopefully it just continues to get better and better and better.''

Limping no longer, the Bills, as a whole, blasted off on the right foot in opening camp in suburban Rochester with a near fully healthy roster. That's quite a turnaround for a team that ended last year with 17 players - nine of them regulars - on injured reserve.

''We had so many people get hurt, so many guys that were team captains, leaders, great players,'' Williams said. ''And now we get those great players back. We've added good players. So we have a lot to be excited about.''

[YardRat]

Re: Buffalo Bills open training camp on a healthy note

Merriman, who also had shoulder surgery, said he feels the healthiest he's been in three years after also missing the final 11 games last year. Merriman was so eagerly awaiting the first day of camp that he was disappointed upon learning the players wouldn't be practicing with pads until this weekend.

''I was like, `Ugh!''' Merriman said.

That didn't stop the player, nicknamed ''Lights Out'' for his pass-rushing prowess, from showing what he could do in a one-on-one drill. Lining up on the right side, Merriman timed the snap perfectly and beat Glenn on the outside before the rookie tackle barely got out of his crouch.

Then there's Johnson, who missed a majority of the Bills' offseason practices after having groin surgery in May to repair an injury that had bothered the starter for much of last year.
On Thursday, Johnson beat rookie first-round pick Stephon Gilmore up the left sideline to make a finger-tip catch before tumbling to the ground and bouncing back up again.
Johnson said he's still feeling a little soreness in his groin, but only because the scar tissue hasn't yet completely dissolved.