Ones to watch: AFC East

[justasportsfan]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7585745

When you're 6-foot-6, 360 pounds and highly touted, it's hard to hide. When the Bills made Mike Williams their top draft pick in 2002, the expectations for him and the entire Buffalo offense were kicked up a notch. And when you're an offensive lineman, the best kind of attention you could ask for is none at all, for that would mean you're doing your job. Williams has missed only five games since entering the league, but he's the focus of an offensive line that not only must protect Drew Bledsoe, but also open holes for Travis Henry and Willis McGahee. He's also missed parts of camp due to various injuries and weight problems. But that's what training camp is for, right? Besides, once Williams gets healthy and svelt, he'll have much bigger problems -- Jason Taylor, Richard Seymour and John Abraham to name three -- to worry about.

FYI: The Bills gave up 51 sacks in 2003 and 54 in 2002. Despite those stats, the Bills also had Henry rush for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in both seasons.

RIVALRY FUEL: Of those 51 sacks allowed last year, nearly half (25) were to division rivals. Of those 25, 18 were by defensive linemen.

[justasportsfan]

http://www.nfl.com/teams/trainingcamp/BUF

Overview
The Bills have a problem. They have a win-now defense, even some win-now talent on offense, but their quarterback situation is stuck between yesterday and tomorrow.

Drew Bledsoe was in such a funk last season, arguably his worst as a pro, that it raises serious questions about his ability to lead a team to the playoffs. He threw only 11 touchdown passes and absorbed a physical beating (49 sacks). Clearly, Bledsoe, 32, is on the downside of his distinguished career, but the Bills won't have a viable replacement until rookie J.P. Losman is ready to step in. And that won't be for another year or two.

[justasportsfan]

PS: Don't know if any of these articles have been posted.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7558123


Mularkey fighting uphill trend

By Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com


NFL.com national editor Vic Carucci has begun his annual tour of training camps and will file columns from each stop. This installment comes from Pittsford, N.Y., where the Buffalo Bills opened camp on July 31.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (Aug. 6, 2004) -- Mike Mularkey doesn't make a habit of screaming or yelling or giving someone at the other end of his wrath a saliva shower. He doesn't have the prominent jaw of a Bill Cowher, his former boss, or of a Don Shula to intimidate just by standing with his arms folded.

Mularkey doesn't sneer, wince or otherwise make menacing facial contortions like Jon Gruden. He usually speaks in even, almost gentle tones. He offers an easy smile and shows patience that tends to be uncommon to those in his line of work.

[ryjam282]

I haven't seen them so thanks :up:

[justasportsfan]

In the middle of the page ......Video: Takeo 'Spikes' Best Damn
Bills' Takeo Spikes talks past, present and future in Buffalo

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?categoryId=67039
I can't access :wail:


The offensive line remains unsettled. RT Mike Williams, still trying to regain his starting job, is out indefinitely after suffering a strained arch in his right foot last week, and RG Chris Villarrial missed time with a sore groin. The team says it isn't concerned the projected starters haven't worked together much in camp, but the unit isn't where it needs to be.

RB Willis McGahee still runs tentatively at times and hasn't showed the burst he had before suffering a serious knee injury in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. But he seems to be gaining confidence and strength with every touch.


Rookie DT Tim Anderson plays with tremendous effort. He gets good leverage and has adequate strength at the point of attack. He also is quick enough to gain penetration. Anderson lacks ideal size to be a dominant run stuffer and needs to work on shedding blocks, but the team believes he can be a starter in the future.