Archives for August 13, 2012

‘"You really do have to prove yourself. You have to make it worth their while to keep two kickers, because it’s definitely a big commitment on their part," Potter said. "I think if I’m able to consistently get touchbacks, keep the other team at the 20-yard line and preserve our players, it could be a good opportunity for our team."’

‘”I definitely think this passing game is pretty on point especially with the new editions like Derek Hagan,” said Stevie Johnson, Bills wide receiver. “He was here last year but he was not really as involved as much and I think he has been playing well.”‘

‘”That is where it is really going to help me is throughout the season once blitzes are coming and once you are speeding up your footwork a little bit and stuff you do not expect is happening,” Fitzpatrick said. “That is when the footwork is going to be something I have to rely on and that is what I am really looking forward to is (Lee) staying on me in those times.”‘

‘”He has done a very good job,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “He is kind of an underrated guy. He has a lot of ability. He just could not get on the field at LSU so people did not know a lot about him. He has some talent and I am anxious to see how he can progress. He could help us out a lot this year.”‘

‘”Every yard counts in field position,” Potter said after Sunday’s practice at St. John Fisher. “It definitely helps if you can put (the opposition) at the 20-yard line as opposed to letting them get out even to the 22 or 23. But one of the biggest things is having those touchbacks and allowing your players not to get injured.”‘

‘It looked to me like there were many drops and poorly thrown balls once the rain came, but Gailey disagreed and was OK with the way they handled it, “Pretty good, I think we had one ball on the ground out there and we practiced different situations from our wildcat, to our goal line to our regular offense so I thought it went well.”‘

‘Fitzpatrick said its important for all teams to learn to play in less than ideal conditions. “We get a couple of these games every year so we have to be able to deal with the elements, learn what you can and cannot do, especially for me; types of throws that I can make that I am comfortable on. It is good for the centers to snap the ball in the shot-gun, even the exchanges under center and with the running backs. It was good work for us to be out there today and do it. And I thought it was pretty productive.”‘

‘”Well it is not something you want to do but it is good for us. You need a day like that so that you can handle a wet ball and everybody can talk about ball security on offense and you can talk about stripping the ball out on defense. So it was good for us.” Head Coach Chan Gailey said after practice.’

‘The Bills have a very good 1-2 running game punch in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller and while keeping them healthy during the preseason is Job One, they and their line need to develop a rhythm, a feel and a mindset for running the football.’

‘Middle linebacker Scott McKillop. The free agent from Pitt led the Bills in tackles with six against the Redskins. The 6-2, 243-pounder earned an invitation to Bills camp on a recommendation from defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, the former Pitt head coach who knew one thing about McKillop – he would work hard to earn a job. With penciled-in starter Kelvin Sheppard missing time with an undisclosed injury, McKillop is making the most of his opportunity.’

‘”We have a long way to go,” defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. “Tonight was more about seeing if we could come out, play base defense, have some stops and make some plays.”‘

‘”You need a day like so you learn how to handle a wet ball,” said Gailey. “I think they had one ball on the ground out there and we practiced in a lot of different situations from our Wildcat to our goal line to our regular offense. So I thought we handled it well.”‘

‘On the purpose of having the officials out there today: We had them out there yesterday and today and tomorrow. Two things: one, it keeps us alert for the little things that they may be looking for coming in to the season. And the second thing is for them to get work. They are in every year and this was our time.’