Archives for July 24, 2014

‘”I think I showed the coaches I can play pretty much anywhere they put me,” Searcy said after Wednesday’s practice at St. John Fisher College. “I’m very excited, very humble, just want to continue to get better and compete and prove to the coaches I’m well-deserving of a starting position.”‘

‘During Wednesday’s practice, Dareus worked on conditioning exercises on the side with team trainers. He’s not practicing with his teammates because he wasn’t in good enough shape to pass a conditioning test upon reporting to camp. He will be back on the field once he passes the test. Fellow defensive tackle Alan Branch also needs to pass the conditioning test and was working on the side with Dareus.’

‘”I feel like I’ve progressed tremendously in the mental aspect of the offense and just learning protections and plays and where to go with the ball, and that’s what I need to continue to do,” said Tuel. “I just need to play my best every day and where it takes me, it takes me.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone was asked several questions pertaining to Dareus, but the key one was when does he expect the Pro Bowl defensive tackle back on the field. “When the strength coaches say he’s ready,” was the response.’

‘While Watkins’ hands were on display Wednesday, previous practices showcased his other talents. In one session, Watkins caught a ball on a slant in front of cornerback Stephon Gilmore, stopped on a dime and ran by him. On several occasions, he’s easily gotten past a defensive back’s attempt to jam him at the line and run deep for a touchdown. On Monday, he outjumped several defenders to bring in a ball that was tipped at the line.’

‘”When you talk about the players, I don’t think it is for the players at this moment in time. For us, we’re just focusing on getting better each day.”‘

‘”I wouldn’t say leadership, it just comes with the title,” Spikes said after practice. “You know, the ‘Mike’ linebacker, he’s responsible for getting everybody lined up, getting everybody in place so we can execute the scheme and the defense. That’s just part of the job, so it comes with it.”‘

‘Gragg is in competition with Lee Smith to be the Bills’ third tight end, while Scott Chandler and Tony Moeaki have been getting most of the time with the first and second team offenses. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is Buffalo’s second-string fullback.’

‘These incidents are just the latest in a long line of off-the-field issues for Dareus, but he said he is prepared to put it all behind him.’

‘Watkins is stunningly good — as advertised. In three years of attending Bills camps, he’s the only player I’ve tried not to miss whenever he’s on the field.’

‘Marrone isn’t providing any further details on Gragg’s condition or when he was sent to the hospital.’

‘Dareus was arrested twice in the span of four weeks in May, and then reported to camp out of shape and failed a conditioning test Saturday.’

‘”I’m just taking it day-by-day,” Marrone said when asked if Dareus needs to earn back the trust of his coaches and teammates. “I think it’s a point well taken when you ask how much of a distraction it is. For me, it’s really not, when you talk about the players, I don’t think it is for the players at this moment in time. For us, we’re focusing on getting better each day.”‘

‘Hairston has been getting time as an interior offensive linemen through three of the first four days of camp (the lone exception was when Seantrel Henderson could not practice and Hairston played left tackle), as well as through the duration of the three-day mandatory minicamp in June. A former offensive tackle at Clemson and then later on with the Bills, the fourth-year player is making his first legitimate move to the inside.’