Archives for July 2014

‘Well, I can say for the defensive line at least, we’re pretty well into the playbook. We’ve got a pretty good grasp of what’s going on. I think the biggest change will probably be as far as the linebackers go, we’ve got a lot of new faces at the linebacker position, and then those guys have to learn the system. They have to learn a lot because our linebackers, they have to know everything. Up front I think we’re doing pretty good at grasping things. I don’t sit in the linebackers room during meetings, so I couldn’t speak to that, but up front we’re doing pretty good.’

‘As practice wore on, Manuel still had a hiccup here or there, but looked very comfortable throughout practice. During the next set of 11-on-11 drills, Manuel completed seven of his twelve attempted passes despite excellent coverage by linebackers and defensive backs as well as constant pressure from the defensive line.’

‘The Bills were not good enough on goal-to-go situations last season, ranking 29th in the NFL in touchdown percentage. Sunday’s practice was the first chance to set a new tone for this season.’

‘The offense rebounded a bit from its miserable showing Saturday night by scoring on 5 of 8 plays in a live goal-line drill against the defense.’

‘For the first time since camp began, the Bills played real tackle football and conducted one full “live” period of close to 20 plays where the defense was allowed to tackle to the ground. Throughout that session, there very few highlights for the offense, though the prime emphasis was on the running game and Bryce Brown and Ronnie Wingo got the bulk of the carries.’

‘”I always have a high level of frustration,” Marrone said. “I do. It’s the way I’m built. I want it to be perfect, and a lot of times I feel like I can do a better job and why what I’m saying isn’t getting across and how I can say it better. When it comes down to the line, I take a lot of pride in how I communicate with them. When they don’t get it or don’t seem to understand it, I get upset.”‘

‘”I don’t really get too concerned with the injury aspect of it,” Marrone said after practice. “In a way I look at it as we’re able to put some different people in there without having to go out and bring another person in.’

‘”Mike is going to be a huge asset for us out wide,” quarterback EJ Manuel said. “He’s a guy who, in the red zone, teams will know we’re going to him, and even though they’ll know I’m throwing to him he’ll still be able to come down with some balls.”‘

‘”Football is a complete and ultimate team sport. No matter what level of talent you bring in, it’s not one individual,” Williams said. “I said it then: ‘You can’t have one person completely change the whole culture.’ It can never be one person, no matter how great you are.”‘

‘Coach Doug Marrone didn’t have an immediate update on the severity of the injury or how much time Chandler might miss. Chandler was hurt early during the training camp session on Sunday, and did not return after being escorted to the locker room.’

‘With the third injury to the group, the Bills are now down to two healthy tight ends on their roster in Lee Smith and Dominique Jones, who was just signed by the team on Saturday. Marrone hinted that the team may use some players already on the roster to help out at the spot in the interim, rather than going out and signing another free agent.’

‘Head coach Doug Marrone introduced live hitting on Saturday for the first time in 2014 and they kept that going for a second straight day, giving the team their first taste of goal line work. Compared to their efforts on Saturday, specifically by the offense, Sunday brought about much more optimism.’

‘”I’m just trying to come out here every single day and make the best of my opportunities and make the plays when they present themselves,” Hogan said.’

‘The practice will still be open to the public. No tickets are required in order for fans to attend the practice session.’

‘”It feels good,” said Gilmore. “That was my first time ever having surgery and getting hurt so it feels good to be back to myself and be out there having fun and be playing how I know how to play. It helped me out a lot. I’ve never struggled like that before when I had that surgery on my hand so it helped me out a lot. It humbled me and I feel good now so I’m ready to go help this team win.”‘