Here's my Training Camp Report from Saturday 8/7/10

[BillsVet]

3) Davis will be a 2nd down ILB and we can bring Mitchell in for 3rd down. He's a better coverage guy and a good blitzer. I think we will have more sacks than last year but they will be spread out throughout the roster.

 

I can't assume they'll put more pressure on the QB this season. There isn't one proven pass rusher on the roster right now and I don't see them getting sacks from their ILB's.

 

4) Let's not overreact on McKelvin. He is coming off a serious injury. Also, I beleive he struggles in camp every year. I believe he is a just one of those guys who is a gamer. That's why I don't put a ton of stock into training camp.

 

That said, in today's NFL, 3 corners play a ton so it's not really a big deal if you aren't technically a starter. Either way, it will be hard to find 3 better corners than our group.

 

McKelvin was healed earlier this year if I recall so using the injury shouldn't hamper his performance. And yes, it's alarming when the 11th overall pick from the 2008 draft can't win a starting CB job. Heck, there are 6 first rounders from 06-09 and only Wood is a definite starter with Whitner probable. That's not good.

[mead107]

Another out standing report.

Thanks

[slcbillsbacker]

Hey Mike, thanks so much for keeping us outta town Bills fans up to date. Your reports are more detailed and better written than most of the so called "pro" sports writers. Keep up the good work!

[Mike32282]

Post of the day! Seriously, the best news I've heard about this team in a while. If Lynch starts running with authority, Jackson is his usual elusive self with the power to hammer people, and Spiller has the break away speed he's supposed to; we may not need a QB.

 

Agreed. I've enjoyed watching Lynch at camp because of how he's running with the ball. Hopefully he keeps this up in the regular season. Oh and they are doing a lot of two back formations, so no matter what, we will get a lot of use out of all 3 RBs too.

[Bufcomments]

Post of the day! Seriously, the best news I've heard about this team in a while. If Lynch starts running with authority, Jackson is his usual elusive self with the power to hammer people, and Spiller has the break away speed he's supposed to; we may not need a QB.

I agree BUT.....

If the Bills are going to be good on offense they have to get Evans the Ball in space along with the other WR's.

 

Otherwise teams are gonna stack the line and dare us to throw. Teams we play early are gonna see if Edwards can beat them.

 

I think the Chan is gonna use Nelson alot to open things up. any news on how TE Nelson has done so far?

[Mike32282]

Thanks as always, Mike.

 

It must be tough as I know you work nights (graveyard shift?).

 

It's likely you enjoy doing this but I know you must also feel an obligation to file your reports as so many people (especially this year) look forward to them.

 

It won't be the end of the world if you ever have to take a day off…I'm glad for your sake the Bills didn't practice today.

 

Have a good Sunday, Bills brother.

 

I'm glad you enjoy them. Yeah I do work the graveyard shift, 11:30pm - 8:00am, but sometimes 8:30am. It's tough to write these up right after practice. All the night practices really screw me over. I miss the morning/early afternoon practices. Those worked best for my sleeping schedule. lol

 

I do enjoy writing them and sharing them. I don't feel obligated. I actually took a few days off this week, early in the week, I didn't have a report for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. I will say, it's nice to finally have a day off. I can't sleep for some reason though. I already tried.

 

Oh well...at least my car gets a little break. I've filled the tank a couple times since camp opened up. I didn't realize how much gas it takes going to and from Fisher, until I was on E on Thursday afternoon. I put almost a 1/2 of a tank in and it's already gone and my work is right down the street from me. It's still worth it though. I enjoy collecting autographs, so I also spend time each practice getting my football, yearbook and some 8x10 photos signed.

[Mike32282]

I can't assume they'll put more pressure on the QB this season. There isn't one proven pass rusher on the roster right now and I don't see them getting sacks from their ILB's.

 

 

 

McKelvin was healed earlier this year if I recall so using the injury shouldn't hamper his performance. And yes, it's alarming when the 11th overall pick from the 2008 draft can't win a starting CB job. Heck, there are 6 first rounders from 06-09 and only Wood is a definite starter with Whitner probable. That's not good.

 

They are going to get more sacks because they will blitz a lot more.

 

 

Another out standing report.

Thanks

 

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

 

 

Hey Mike, thanks so much for keeping us outta town Bills fans up to date. Your reports are more detailed and better written than most of the so called "pro" sports writers. Keep up the good work!

 

No problem. Thank you for the compliments!

 

I agree BUT.....

If the Bills are going to be good on offense they have to get Evans the Ball in space along with the other WR's.

 

Otherwise teams are gonna stack the line and dare us to throw. Teams we play early are gonna see if Edwards can beat them.

 

I think the Chan is gonna use Nelson alot to open things up. any news on how TE Nelson has done so far?

 

Nelson has looked good. He's struggled with run blocking, but he's caught everything thrown his way. I really like him as a pass catcher.

[Dan]

I agree BUT.....

If the Bills are going to be good on offense they have to get Evans the Ball in space along with the other WR's.

 

Otherwise teams are gonna stack the line and dare us to throw. Teams we play early are gonna see if Edwards can beat them.

 

I think the Chan is gonna use Nelson alot to open things up. any news on how TE Nelson has done so far?

That's exactly what I expect opposing teams to do.. stack the line and force Trent to beat them. Which is why I really hope they have a lot of slants and quick passes in the offense. They're going to need it.

[The Dean]

That's exactly what I expect opposing teams to do.. stack the line and force Trent to beat them. Which is why I really hope they have a lot of slants and quick passes in the offense. They're going to need it.

 

 

I think Trent could get some mileage from a pump-fake to his usual 4-yard target and then airing it out to a deeper WR. It may only work a few times, but I think it would work pretty big.

[Dan]

I think Trent could get some mileage from a pump-fake to his usual 4-yard target and then airing it out to a deeper WR. It may only work a few times, but I think it would work pretty big.

Has Trent ever pump-faked? That's a serious question.

 

I think there's possibly going to be quite a few opportunities fom pump-fakes, play action, outside single coverage, slot guys freed up by blitzing LBs; the mystery is... will Trent recognize and take advantage of any of that? A strong run game should open up plenty of passing opportunities.

[bprulz]

Again thanks mike!! I look forward to your reports. Keep up the great work.

[Rubes]

Excellent, as usual. Many thanks -- this stuff is like crack.

[JohnC]

Mike, Are you aware that you made some positive comments about Trent Edwards? DarthIce hates you. Watch your back. LOL

 

Your reports are terrific. They get my juices going. If we can get adequate qb and OL play just maybe this team will be entertaining to watch?

[Jerry Jabber]

Thanks again for another great report Mike! Keep up the great work!

 

In your opinion, do you think Chris Ellis has progressed enough to be the opening day starting LOLB?

[Mike32282]

Thanks again for another great report Mike! Keep up the great work!

 

In your opinion, do you think Chris Ellis has progressed enough to be the opening day starting LOLB?

 

Yeah I really believe that Chris Ellis will be the starter and it doesn't bother me. He's earned it.

[Jerry Jabber]

Yeah I really believe that Chris Ellis will be the starter and it doesn't bother me. He's earned it.

 

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that Ellis is progressing well in his new role. Under Jauron, he couldn't see the light of day, even though he had a strong preseason last year.

[Mike32282]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that Ellis is progressing well in his new role. Under Jauron, he couldn't see the light of day, even though he had a strong preseason last year.

After seeing both Steve Johnson and Chris Ellis in camp, I'm more pissed than ever at Jauron. It's so obvious now that he doesn't like using his young guys. At least Gailey gives the young guys a chance. I can honestly see at least 5 young guys have big roles this year.

 

Steve Johnson

Alex Carrington

Chris Ellis

Torell Troup

CJ Spiller

Marcus Easley

[Thurman#1]

They are going to get more sacks because they will blitz a lot more.

 

 

 

Blitzing doesn't always equal sacks. Far from it. You remember what Marv used to say, "Thanks for blitzing." For blitzes to work, a lot of things have to fall into place. You have to have physically talented guys, guys with a lot of explosion. We haven't got one proven guy now that Schobel is gone. You have to be able to prevent them from going to their blitz hot routes and we have new guys in the positions that will be responsible for hammering them when they run slants and through the middle.

 

A lot of things have to come together, and those things usually don't come together for a year or two in a new defensive system. If you have the athletes to compensate (aka Mathews when Green Bay switched to a 3 - 4), you can get away with it. Have we got the athlete? Well, Maybin could prove he's the guy. I'd love to see that, but he hasn't looked great in camp, just decent. I don't think we've got a real athlete there who can do that.

 

Blitzing can also allow big plays, it doesn't automatically get sacks. If it did, everyone would do it all the time.

 

 

Yeah I really believe that Chris Ellis will be the starter and it doesn't bother me. He's earned it.

 

I could definitely see Ellis as the starter, but I have a different reaction than you. I just look at who he beat out. Never played-LB-in-his-life Chris Kelsay. Rookies Batten and Coleman? Just not big enough Keith Ellison? Manalac? Mitchell's an ILB, as is Andra Davis, right? If Mitchell's an OLB, will he play passing downs? Running downs? Bryan Scott, or will he be a safety? Donovan Woods?

 

Except for Kawika, who might not be competing for the same spot, I don't see a lot of tough competition there. Well, we'll see. It'll be interesting.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the report, though. Interesting stuff.

[Whites Bay]

Hey Mike,

 

First and foremost, thanks so much for the training camp reports. Far more detail than we get from the mainstream papers!

 

I'd like to focus on the lines if I could.

 

1) How was Bell, and how was Wood? From what I've read, Wood's been getting a good amount of rest.

 

2) Is anyone aside from Troup and Williams playing NT? How's that kid Harvey?

 

Again, many thanks.

[Dorkington]

Two back formations and BEASTMODE running hard?

 

Oh my, I really hope this is true.