Two Bills Drive

Bills DB Troy Vincent said the morning was a “feeling-out process” and said the key to getting something out of those practices was staying away from unnecessary activity. “I saw what most of their guys can do,” Vincent said. “So after this first practice I’ll have a different game plan for this afternoon and the scrimmage.” Vincent even asked Browns WR Andre’ Davis before practice what Davis wanted to work on. Davis gave Vincent some ideas, and Vincent said he tried to oblige.

Browns linebacker Brant Boyer is out indefinitely after breaking his right foot during practice with the Buffalo Bills on Friday, Aug. 6. Boyer was hurt during the first of two sessions between the teams at the Bills’ training camp in suburban Rochester, where the teams will scrimmage Aug. 7.

‘”I think, top to bottom, this may be the best defense I’ve ever played with,” free agent cornerback Troy Vincent said. “If we can put it all together, we’re going to be awfully tough to beat.”‘

‘"They’re big, strong guys up front," said Bills guard Chris Villarrial. "It will be a good test for us to see where we’re at because we want to run the ball. We’re committed to running it, and we want to see where we stand."’

‘No, Reed is not Peerless Price. But Reed is a very good football player who can be effective in the right system. New Bills coach Mike Mularkey plans to make better use of Reed’s talents than the previous coaching regime. That means working more as a slot receiver and taking advantage of his run-after-the-catch skills by getting him the ball on short and intermediate pass routes.’

‘Three NFL refs were at practice and calling penalties Thursday. The penalties for illegal contact by defensive players versus receivers 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and defensive holding are major points of emphasis this year, according to head coach Mike Mularkey.’

‘”I was a Browns fan, yes,” said Evans, whose parents and two sisters will be in the crowd. “But I’ve got to go out there and do my job. I’m a Buffalo Bill. The Browns are a secondary thought.”‘

‘”I feel confident in my ability, and if given the opportunity I can still go out there and play every down,” said Gildon, who last year passed L.C. Greenwood to become the Steelers’ all-time sack leader. “It’s just coming in and getting that opportunity.”‘

‘Buffalo’s linebackers are a formidable group, the strength of a Bills’ defense that last season ranked second in yards allowed, eighth against the run and fifth in points.’

‘The scrimmage will run from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, with the first teams battling for 10 to 12 plays, then moving on to the second team. Field goals and extra points will be attempted before the scrimmage.’

‘“Maybe another team would have said, `You’ve got a coach whose heart’s dying and he can’t speak above a whisper or a quiet conversation and he hasn’t coached in nine years. Let’s see, do we want him on our staff?’ ” Wyche said. The Bills did.’

‘Playing career: Cincinnati Bengals under Paul Brown (1968-70); Washington Redskins (1971-73); Detroit Lions (1974); St. Louis Cardinals (1976); Buffalo Bills (1976).’

‘"My goal when I became a free agent was to make what I made my last 2 years in Philly," says Vincent, whose combined base salaries with the Eagles the last 2 years was $7.5 million. "And I got it."’

‘In the scrimmage tomorrow each team will alternate possessions getting the ball for 10 or 12 plays beginning at its own 35. The team has four chances to make a first down. If it does not the ball goes back to the 35, even if it is on the opponent’s 5.’

‘"Our defense will see Drew Bledsoe throw the ball," Davis said. "We’ll get a chance to see some other runners in the game. They have two really talented running backs, so it will be good to see them work."’