Archives for May 2004

‘"I’m out here at minicamp to see how much stronger I need to get it," Moulds said. "So I can just go out there and play naturally and play like I normally can."’

‘Barring any post-June 1 signings – and the Bills will be looking for pass rushers that make sense for them – Kelsay is slated for a long look in training camp and could unseat Denney in the starting left end position.’

‘LB Jeff Posey injured his left foot in practice and sat out the team’s organized activity on Thursday, May 27. The injury isn’t serious but Posey was wearing a walking boot. "We’re just playing it safe. We’re not lining up against anybody on Sunday," coach Mike Mularkey said.’

‘Attendance by veterans at these voluntary functions has been well over 90 percent. And in case you’re thinking players are going through the motions, think again. During Buffalo’s on-field work on May 27, OG Ross Tucker and DT Oliver Gibson got into a spirited skirmish and had to be separated by coaches and teammates. So what’s it going to be like in August?’

‘The Bills like undrafted rookie RB Shaud Williams (5-7, 193). Williams, who led the SEC with 1,367 rushing yards for Alabama last season, was not drafted in part because of his lack of height. He runs with good balance and vision through the hole and looks good as a receiver out of the backfield. His running skills could be an asset on kickoff returns.’

‘"The Bills were the first and only team to contact me for a workout during that whole time I was out, so I was gung-ho to get here and put myself in a position to try and make a contribution."’

‘Mularkey is attempting to bring simulated game conditions to each and every practice. During Thursday’s session, there were officials to monitor the progress of the players, particularly in the penalty department. "They have been here every day," Mularkey said. "All we’re trying to do is preventive maintenance and take care of penalties now so we won’t have to wait until September or October to address it."’

”’I’ve been fighting for my life in this league for five years,” Brown said after the Bills completed a four-day minicamp this week. ”To be real honest with you, I wouldn’t have it any other way. … I want to be here and I’m doing everything that I can.”’

‘"The thing I’m encouraged about at this point is we already seem as a team to be developing a good grasp of what we’re doing conceptually," Bledsoe said. "Even at this early point, guys know stuff pretty cold and are able to go aggressively because of that. Some of the problems we had last year had to do with guys having a little confusion here and there. I think right now with a little bit of simplification in what we’ve done there seems to be a general understanding of what we’re doing."’

‘It would be bad for Losman’s development if he spent the entire year as the No. 3 quarterback. Third QBs get very little on-the-field practice work during the season. Ideally, the Bills could use a veteran who would be good enough to fill in briefly if Bledsoe gets hurt but who will be comfortable letting Losman get more work as the season wears on. Brown would figure to be that guy.’

‘I think the thing that I’m encouraged about, at this point, we already seem to, as a team, be developing a good grasp of what we’re doing conceptually and play-wise, where guys even at this early point in the season know stuff pretty cold and are able to go aggressively because of that. Some of the problems we had last year had to do with guys having a little confusion here and there and I think, right now, with a little bit of a simplification of what we’ve done there seems to be a general understanding of what we’re doing at a little higher level.’

‘On the offense retaining the playbook:

It’s already started. They’ve had it a couple times, you hope the tempo has picked up because they’re more comfortable with the system. You can tell the rookies are a little more comfortable, although this is only the second time they’ve gone through it. You can see the speed is better right now.’

“You hope it’ll be, ‘Local boy comes home and does a good job,’ ” McNally said. “So I don’t want to let anybody down.”

‘Robertson was initially signed by Buffalo in December, but did not play in the team’s final two games.’

‘Mularkey says there is not a cast on the foot, but he did have a walking boot on.’