Archives for August 6, 2011

‘”We picked him up late last year,” Bills offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said. “He learned the offense fast. He had to play part of the game against New England, all of the [season-ending] Jets game, and now he’s come to training camp getting a grand opportunity.”‘

‘”They brought me into San Diego,” Davis said of Nix and his staff. “They know what I can do. I just have to get over the injury bug I’ve had a couple years. I had groin surgery in ’08 and 2010. But that’s behind me. I worked my butt off this offseason. I worked out so much to get away from that old me.”‘

‘It was a boom or bust day for big plays, with the offense either taking advantage of a breakdown or the defense making a pickoff.’

‘Thigpen, who has worked under head coach Chan Gailey before, was immediately installed as the No. 2 quarterback behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and ran the Bills’ second-string offense. Smith – who is also going to see time as a receiver and on special teams – shared reps with Levi Brown and Josh Nesbitt.’

‘So it pains me to say “six” all the time, and judging by the faces staring back at me Wednesday when I kept saying “six” I know it pains the fans, but all I can do is offer my opinion. Now, let me back it up.’

‘”I don’t feel like I’m behind at all,” Dareus said. “I was able to get on top of it with George Wilson, who really kept me on top of my game. We have the same agent, so we stayed in contact. I don’t feel like I’m behind at all. I’m right there with them ready to go.”‘

‘”If you don’t have competition and competitive juices don’t flow you really get nervous as a coach,” he said. “If guys can’t respond or don’t respond you start to worry.”‘

‘The Bills need Jackson and Spiller working off each other to not only become a strong 1-2 punch, but also to make each other better football players. Another player that could play a part in helping the two running backs is free agent signing Brad Smith. A do-it-all kind of player for the New York Jets, Smith figures to be that versatile threat out of the backfield, as a Wildcat quarterback, and as a receiver and returner for the Bills and the creative offensive mind of Gailey.’

‘"When I re-signed I felt this was a perfect situation for me," Merriman said. "I’m in surroundings where I feel a lot of people have a lot to prove. I fit right in."’

‘The Bills signed a familiar face in free agent RB Bruce Hall and rookie free agent RB Anthony Elzy.’

‘Coach Chan Gailey says Nelson is feeling better, but doctors still are attempting to determine the cause of his breathing problems. Gailey says it seems the problem has “calmed down,” and he expects Nelson to return to practice within the next two days.’