Buffalo Bills News - August 19, 2008

Bills' special teams should remain solid [6:18 AM]
Rochester D&C reports: '"It's important to have guys who, when they step on the field, it doesn't matter what kind of play it is. If it's a racquetball game at lunch, he's trying to kill himself to win because that's who he is. You need that kind of guy on special teams, a guy who really wants to get after it. I think we have that. I know we had it before, and I think we have it now."'

NFL Network has Sunday's Bills-Colts game all to itself [6:17 AM]
Rochester D&C reports: 'While the game will be broadcast over the air on Buffalo's ABC affiliate, WKBW-TV, Rochester's affiliate, WHAM (Channel13), is not allowed to purchase the rights because the NFL considers Rochester to be a secondary Bills market.'

Jenkins showing he's more than special [6:16 AM]
Niagara Gazette reports: 'Trent Edwards said Jenkins is “in the same mold” as Reed. “I feel like Justin has come a long way,” the second-year quarterback said. “We need him to be able to adjust on the fly with the injuries that are going to occur throughout the season. Justin is a guy that can play a lot of different positions for us.”'

From glory to grief to redemption [6:15 AM]
Denver Post reports: 'But Saban, Briscoe said, double-crossed him just prior to the 1969 season, telling him he would no longer be the quarterback. Briscoe asked for his release and signed with Buffalo, but the Bills wanted him to be a wide receiver. Reluctantly, Briscoe complied and went on to several successful years at the position, including a Pro Bowl year in 1970 with 57 receptions.'

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August 18, 2008

Two To Go [10:04 PM]
RNews.com reports: '"I think the majority of us are ready to get out of here,” said Bills Linebacker Kawika Mitchell. “We're not far from here but we're far enough that you can smell the freedom. I'm ready to get out of here but it's been a good camp so far."'

Training Camp Practice Report: Aug 18 [10:02 PM]
BuffaloBills.com reports: '“I’m very, very happy with the progress that Josh has made this offseason,” said Edwards. “I was happy with the way he practiced during OTAs and minicamps and he’s progressed a ton since last year, so I’m excited for him this year.”'

Bills present Harvest Festival for Hospice Buffalo [10:01 PM]
BuffaloBills.com reports: '“We are very excited and pleased to be chairing this wonderful event, especially on the 30th Anniversary of Hospice,” said Bill Munson. “The hard work and dedication shown by both the volunteers and staff alike is what makes Hospice the wonderful organization it is today. We invite all to join us for an evening of great wine and friends.”'

Sterling Sharpe to do Bills-Colts play-by-play [4:53 PM]
AP reports: 'An NFL analyst for 12 years, Sharpe will call the game for the NFL Network when Buffalo visits Indianapolis for a preseason game Sunday. It will be the first NFL game at the Colts' new Lucas Oil Stadium.'

Bills offense revs up north of the border [1:55 PM]
Niagara Falls Reporter reports: 'But there is still one more hurdle for the team to contend with: repeatability. For the Bills put together long stretches of good play last year, only to watch it come painfully undone with a few tiny mistakes.'

McKelvin turns into nice problem [11:55 AM]
Buffalo News reports: '“The two guys that are returning for us, Terrence and Roscoe, it’s pretty hard to say they’re not the top guys,” assistant head coach and special teams coach Bobby April said after the Steelers game. “They’ve had tremendous years here but he’s definitely making a statement. I mean, what can you say. This kid, that’s two weeks in a row. He almost had one last week which would have been unbelievable for his first two games to break ’em. We’re really blessed. We got three really good guys.”'

DiGiorgio proves his value [9:48 AM]
Canandaigua Daily Messenger reports: '“We were pleased with what John did last year, based on no playing experience in the NFL,” said Bills linebackers coach Matt Sheldon. “The distance he covered from Saginaw Valley State to playing in the NFL was quite large. He was strong with how he handled our game plans and his game management.”'

Good coverage, fast pass rush finally more than just ideas for Bills [7:55 AM]
Realfootball365.com reports: 'The first-team Bills not only evaded pass blockers but successfully patrolled the rest of the field, with the safeties in particular and Whitner in particular serving as an ominous presence for foes. And it’s about time. As with an encouraging performance by the offense, they’ve been shaky for far before the unsettling display that was the first preseason game.'

Greer meets new challenge [6:58 AM]
Buffalo News reports: '“It was a surprise,” Greer said. “You never know which way they intend to go. But obviously they sent a message that we weren’t good enough at cornerback. It was a situation where I had to look in the mirror and ask myself what I need to do to get better."'

The billboard [6:57 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Duke Preston had never taken a practice snap at right tackle. Heck, he had never played the position, period. Yet there he was lined up on the right side with the third-team offense during the Bills’ preseason win over Pittsburgh. “I have officially played every position there is to play on the offensive line,” said Preston, whose primary job is backup center and guard. “I found out [I was playing tackle] the day before the game. But I was ready. Challenges come along every day, and you just have to meet them head on.”'

Royal restoring faith among Bills coaches [5:34 AM]
Rochester D&C reports: '"It gives us confidence that Robert is back," coach Dick Jauron said following the game. "We're pleased with Robert. He's a tremendous teammate, a big effort guy and tonight he showed it."'

Bills are back on practice field [5:33 AM]
Rochester D&C reports: '"It was kind of aggravating being out here and not being able to participate with the guys," Reed said. "I feel good and now I just need to stay in line with what the trainers are telling me."'

Schouman could miss several weeks [5:32 AM]
Niagara Gazette reports: '“Derek’s going to be a little while, we’re hoping not a long while,” Jauron said following the team’s first practice since the game in Toronto. “At this point, (trainer) Bud (Carpenter) is talking in the weeks. So it’s not good, but it could have been worse.” Jauron called the injury a knee strain.'

Buffalo Bills TE Schouman out with knee injury [5:31 AM]
AP reports: 'Coach Dick Jauron said trainers informed him that it will be weeks before Schouman is expected to be cleared for practice, meaning the player likely will miss the Bills' two final preseason games. "It's not good, but it could have been worse," Jauron said.'

Inside slant [5:30 AM]
The Sports Xchange reports: 'A Rogers spokesman said the goal of the Bills in the Toronto series isn't to make money, but to give back to the city. Many tickets were given out to United Way partners and Canadian military personnel. Vice president Phil Lind boldly predicted that the Dolphins-Bills game -- the first regular-season game ever scheduled in Canada -- would generate a legitimate full house.'

Strategy and personnel [5:29 AM]
The Sports Xchange reports: 'BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Fred Jackson vs. Dwayne Wright, Xavier Omon and Bruce Hall at backup RB -- This is Jackson's job to lose behind Marshawn Lynch after his big 2007 season, but Wright and Omon are making things interesting. Each averaged 4.4 yards per carry in last Thursday's preseason win over Pittsburgh, with Wright ripping off a 16-yard carry and Omon a 14-yarder. Wright hurt his cause, though, with another fumble. Jackson had five carries for 18 yards (3.6 average) and added three catches for 10 yards. Ultimately, the Bills will keep their best athletes at this position and there's a lot of skill here to mull over.'

Notes, quotes [5:28 AM]
The Sports Xchange reports: 'No. 1 pick Leodis McKelvin's 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Steelers sealed himself a role in the team's special teams plans for 2008. McKelvin showed the speed and explosiveness that allowed him to set an NCAA record with eight career scores while at Troy, reading a key block from fullback Darian Barnes and just leaving the Steelers in his dust. A week earlier against Washington, McKelvin had a 37-yard kickoff return and a 45-yard punt return. The Bills have two of the NFL's best return men in team record-setters Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish, but coach Dick Jauron said a team can never have enough of these guys. "Those guys (return men) tend to get nicked so there's room for all of them," he said. "They'll all have their opportunities." McKelvin had one thing on his mind when he got into the open field: Don't get brought down by Steelers kicker Paul Ernster. "The other 10 guys did a great job blocking," he said. "I saw the kicker and I just said, 'I don't want to get tackled by the kicker."''

Training Camp Practice Report: Aug 17 [5:27 AM]
BuffaloBills.com reports: '“Derek’s going to be a little while,” said head coach Dick Jauron. “We’re hoping not a long while but at this point Bud (Carpenter) is talking in the weeks. So it’s not good, but it could’ve been worse.”'

Reed returns to practice [5:26 AM]
BuffaloBills.com reports: '“Josh is a good player and we’re depending on him to make plays for us,” said Dick Jauron. “He knows how to play the game at this level. He’s tough. He’s a good blocker for us. He runs after the catch. We’re anticipating really big things from Josh.”'

August 17, 2008

TE Royal adding punch to Bills passing attack [4:06 PM]
AP reports: '"No, no, no," Royal said. "I'm just trying to stay modest and just remember that it's still a very long season and I don't want to look at things more than what they are. Right now, it's still early."'

Is Toronto ready if Buffalo shuffles on? [9:02 AM]
San Diego Union Tribune reports: '“Toronto wants an NFL franchise, and it feels its best shot is to go after the one in Buffalo,” Phillips said. Toronto has the SkyDome. It also has an economy that is considerably more robust than the one in Buffalo.'

Trying to end red-zone blues [6:59 AM]
Buffalo News reports: '“They were sharp,” Jauron said. “As I said, we didn’t get the silly unforced penalties that we got a week ago in the game, so we didn’t hurt ourselves in that regard. Let’s face it, the Steelers are good enough to hurt you on their own. We blocked OK, we ran it okay, it was a nice kind of combination, that first group.”'

Edwards, Schonert shined credentials against Steelers [6:58 AM]
Buffalo News reports: 'Edwards is never going to be ranked with the cannon arms of the NFL, but he demonstrated once again that his blending of quick decision making and quick release of the football produces the required results. Thursday’s case in point was the 90-yard touchdown drive against Pittsburgh’s formidable defense.'

Kelly says stadium in Niagara Falls will save Bills [5:22 AM]
Rochester D&C reports: '"I don't have mixed emotions; my loyalty is with the Bills in western New York," he said. "I think it's important, though, to establish relationships with some major people up here, because who knows what the future holds. I've had discussions with Mr. (Ralph) Wilson (team owner), and he knows my agenda. He talks about people up here with money, but I tell him I know 15 or 20 people (in the Buffalo market) with money, too."'

NFL invasion gains first down [5:21 AM]
Calgary Herald reports: 'But the cold fact for Ted Rogers and the promoters of NFL in Canada (who paid the Bills $9.75 million US per game for the honour) is that 5,000 seats went unsold, and a lot more might have gone begging had platoons of fans from Pittsburgh not ventured to Toronto for the experience. Apparently, the scalpers outside the Rogers Centre were taking $20 for a face value of $300-a-pop for tickets to a glorified controlled scrimmage. Maybe those reports of Torontonians losing their collective minds over the NFL in Toronto were a tad exaggerated.'

Buffalo wins big with lackluster attendance at preseason game [5:20 AM]
Washington Observer Reporter reports: 'The Bills are getting $9.7 million a game from the event organizers and Buffalo fans are afraid that Toronto is going to steal their football team. They should be a lot happier about the empty seats than the empty win. Step one in the potential move to The Great White North was a dismal failure.'

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