Archives for May 11, 2013

‘”It felt great to be back with a team,” Manuel said afterward. “Through the pre-draft process, you get so used to doing things on your own or with guys who are training and things like that. But today, it was a real practice. Strap it up with cleats and a helmet back on. It was a great feeling.”‘

”’As a coach, I know I’ve had this problem that if I create expectations in my mind of players I’ve never coached before, I can find myself getting into trouble,” Marrone said. ”So I try to go in there open-minded. … But I was very happy with EJ.”’

‘The Bills have yet to sign their top three selections, including first-round pick, quarterback EJ Manuel.’

‘Goodwin, chosen with the 78th overall pick last month, totaled 120 receptions for 1,364 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 games for the University of Texas.’

‘”First off, it felt great to be back with a team,” Manuel said. “Through the predraft process, you get so used to doing things on your own or with guys who are training and things like that. But today, it was a real practice. Strap it up with cleats and a helmet back on. It was a great feeling.”‘

‘The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that they signed four more of their picks from the NFL Draft.’

‘Manuel got his playbook on his I-Pad right after he was drafted. He said it’s been a constant companion, “Yes. I’ve been drilling it like crazy. Coach Hackett said to look over it, but obviously he wants to coach it his way to Jeff and I. We pretty much went from square one today and just went to work.”‘

‘Here is a brief synopsis of how each player looked during their first day on the job…’.

‘This camp is for free agent signees and draft picks. Marrone said, “What I told them last night you’re coming here with opportunity to compete for a position. At some point we’re going to be at 90 and 53 guys are going to make this team and a lot of people don’t talk that way to players. No one wants to bring that up, but that’s just the reality of it and that’s the way it is so if you’re going to not have persistent thoughts about making this team and your thoughts are going to go other places, you’re going to have a tough time making it.”‘

‘With the rookie wage scale in place, there really isn’t too much room for negotiations with most draft picks just being slotted in to their contracts.’

‘”Our goal as coaches was to come out here and get with these players, start teaching them the playbook, the offense, defense and special teams,” Marrone said. “Start working on even special teams. Really just trying to get a chance to know them, how they learn, what they do and really teach them our tempo of practice and what our expectations are out of them.”‘

‘I thought EJ (Manuel) did well, and I thought Jeff (Tuel) threw well. I thought both quarterbacks did a nice job coming in here. I thought what we gave them, not a large package, but we got them off and they looked like…both the quarterbacks got off to a good start. Again, the offensive line really blocked well today because it was mostly seven-on-seven. (Laughs) But no, I was happy with both quarterbacks today.’

‘It’s all predicated on the pass concept, just pairing the footwork with the passing play. It’s a lot you have to remember. It’s the first day, but I thought overall, like I said, the whole team did a good job.’

‘The Bills signed third-round receiver Marquise Goodwin, fourth-round defensive back Duke Williams, fifth-round safety Jonathan Meeks and sixth-round kicker Dustin Hopkins.’