Archives for August 1, 2006

‘Due to the extreme and humidty forecasted for tomorrow, the Buffalo Bills have changed the start time for practice on Wednesday to 10:15 AM. The practice was originally scheduled for 1:15 PM.’

‘The team’s practice Wednesday has been moved to 10:15 a.m. from the originally scheduled 1 p.m. The Bills also announced Tuesday night’s practice has been switched to a grass field from the adjoining artificial turf facility at their St. John Fisher College training camp site. The grass field is a cooler surface than the rubberized Growney Stadium field.’

‘McGahee is aware that Ricard brings some respectable credentials with him to Buffalo including his impressive 2003 season when he blocked for Jamal Lewis who rushed for more than 2,000 yards that year. "I know he’s a good blocker, no doubt about it," said McGahee. "When he gets on the field he’s going to do his job and I’m going to do my job and that’s all we need to worry about."’

‘"I’m anxious to get back out there and get in the groove," Ricard said, noting he chose Buffalo over several other offers because he felt the team provided him the best opportunity.’

Ricard, who was Jamal Lewis’ lead blocker during Lewis’ record-setting 2003 season for the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to be on the field for today’s 7 p.m. practice at St. John Fisher College.’

‘The five-foot-eleven, 237-pound Ricard has 32 career NFL starts with 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns.’

‘Ricard is coming off a season in which he appeared in just two games before being placed on injured reserve in October due to a pair of calf injuries.’

‘Ricard helped Lewis rush for 2,066 yards in 2003. Lewis rushed for just 906 yards last season while Ricard missed all but two games due to injuries.’

Ricard is expected to compete with returning starter Daimon Shelton for a role in the Bills offense. The Bills have two other fullbacks on their depth chart, Joe Burns and Jon Goldsberry. Ricard’s signing comes a day after the team opened a roster spot by releasing undrafted rookie free agent fullback Derrick Ming.’

‘And there was one main reason Ricard chose the Bills. “Willis McGahee,” said Ricard. “He’s a great back and coming from Baltimore where I had so much success with Jamal Lewis I can tell Willis has the same kind of approach to the game. Willis is the kind of player who will give it his all on every play.”‘

‘McNally said Gibson and Jerman were moved inside because of the numbers at tackle. It also allows McFarland and Morgan to get more work at tackle. McFarland, a seventh-round pick in 2004, has played in three games the past three seasons. Even though Jerman is practicing at guard, McNally said he’s the top candidate to be the third tackle, a role he had a year ago. Gibson might return to tackle as well, but McNally thinks Gibson is making strides at guard.’

‘The parameters of a deal appeared to be set when Oakland strong safety Michael Huff and Detroit linebacker Ernie Sims, the seventh and ninth overall picks, signed. Huff signed a reported five-year contract, with an option for a sixth, worth $22.5 million. Sims signed a five-year deal, but the financial terms were not disclosed. Huff’s deal is said to be complicated and may not have accurately set the market from the Bills’ perspective. But Levy said the team’s offer to Whitner is between what Huff and Sims received.’

‘After three days without pads, the Bills finally took the field in full uniform Monday. Tackling wasn’t allowed, but a few guys apparently didn’t get that memo. Middle linebacker London Fletcher had the hit of the day as he drilled running back Shaud Williams as Williams caught the ball out of the backfield.’

‘So, why in the name of Lou "The Toe" Groza would kicker Nick Setta and punter Josh Brazen sign free-agent contracts with the Bills when they know they will be getting the boot before the end of camp? "It’s a résumé builder," says Setta, a Notre Dame graduate who is participating in his fifth NFL camp in the past three years. "Any team that gives you the option to come in and build your résumé, you take advantage of it."’

‘If Nall is out three weeks, he’ll have missed the Bills’ first two preseason games at which time a decision on the starting quarterback may have already been made. Ideally, coach Dick Jauron would like his man in place so he can give him two practice games with the first unit.’