Astrobot

Pressure on Byrd to get here, Insurance if he doesn't, and serving notice that Meeks isn't getting it done.

The Bills are becoming the Ravens. Here's why I say that. Ravens coach John Harbaugh made the tough decision to fire offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. We hired an inventive, young, positive OC in Hackett. Terrell Suggs returned from Achilles surgery to solidify the defensive backfield. Jairus Byrd will do just that, have patience. The Ravens' offensive line became dominant once Bryant McKinnie was inserted at left tackle. The Bills stole Cordy Glenn, Wood returned stronger from injury, and Kraig Urbik continues to impress me. Anquan Boldin proved to be a clutch slot receiver, and Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones gave the Ravens speed on the outside. Bills now possess 3-4 outside threats to complement Stevie J. In the backfield, Rice and his backup, Bernard Pierce, were big-play threats on the ground and through the air. The Bills have CJ Spiller, FJax, and (As long as I'm out on a limb anyway) Kendall Gaskins. Joe Flacco gave the Ravens one of the best deep arms in the game. Enter EJ and Tuel, both can air it out. Up to this week, Ravens TE's Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta gave Flacco the security blanket underneath. Chandler, Smith, Gragg, and Provo are a decent substitute. Ray Lewis is now Kiko Alonso, quick to see the play unfolding and fearlessly blowing up the play. A pressuring D with multiple d linemen? Check.

Tonight, he stared down Chandler and threw it to someone else. EJ's best play IMHO.

I am the Bills Analyst for DraftTek.com, and their RB analyst for the 2014 draft. I also edit comments the 31 other analysts write for the 2014 DraftSims that come out weekly. I teach reading and writing at a local independent school during the school year. Wow! Mawae? That's great news!

And the best sunsets I've ever seen. We get to Grindstone Island a lot.

Lol! I hope he stays on the sidelines! I can't believe the depth of talent behind him! As long as Stevie's there for Games 1-19, I'm fine with it!

At the very least, Mario will make the entire DLine better. If they game plan for Mario, then sacks will be made by the others in large numbers. If they go 1:1 on Mario, he will have a Pro Bowl year. Our opponents can pick their poison.

I don't mean to imply that there's a QB controversy. This is Manuel's team, but Tuel might have made it a race for Number 2.

I think he's one of the best stories of camp. He, Woods, Manuel, Gaskins, even Gragg, are showing they belong in the NFL. Yep. We went to the St. Croix distillery in April.

At home with Mrs. Bot, sipping Coconut Rum on rocks, digesting lasagna with Wegman's spicy turkey sausage, feeling appreciated for what I do. Go Bills!

Shout-Out to Mrs. Bot, who has been taking me the 6 minutes to camp each day! A mint 70 degree night, with cirrus clouds and (to Marrone's chagrin) no wind. There was an hour of activity before the scrimmage. Chandler is in, Kolb is nowhere to be seen. Provo the new TE was in full pads and had a few nice plays tonight. EJ was laying out perfect 30 yard passes to the WR's early in the practice segment, and hit Da'Rick, Kaufman, TJ, Hogan, Sampson, and Marquise in stride. Sinkfield dropped his. They also did T-outs, buttonhooks, slants, etc. and nobody was missing these. The crowd started singing "Happy Birthday" to Spiller when he appeared. Kick Returns were run simultaneously with FG practice (brilliant! Chan, take notes!). The KR order was Brad Smith, Marquise Goodwin, TJ Graham. I'd give the nod in consistency to TJ tonight, who continues to impress in all phases, including confidence. Goodwin muffed one, but it bounced luckily right back up to him and he took off like greased lightning for 40 more yards. The FG guys (Lindell-Hopkins) seemed to be trying to hit the video man all night. Hopkins came the closest, missing the guy by <2 feet. The jack that holds up the video platform was hit 7-8 times. In 7 on 7, Spiller had a nice catch and run, Choice ran an underneath route that worked, Marquise caught a nice out-pattern thrown right on the money by EJ, Dickerson split a seam for a nice long gain on an EJ pass, and Dickerson got hit pretty hard by Dowtin on the very next play (Dowtin got the impact play of the 7 on 7). Lee Smith made a nice dive to catch a pass (see? He doesn't only block!), and Da'Rick had a nice out route (similar to Marquise's) for a gain. EJ looked at Chandler but threw to Easley for 15 yards--fooled me, and EJ ended his turn with a dump-off to Spiller (You'll see that all year). Tuel's 7 on 7 included a nice slant pattern over the middle to Sampson (who's coming on but won't make the team), then Tuel held the ball too long and had little room to run. Tuel made up for it with a nice split-seam route to Provo (the new Syracuse TE), but then was INT. Dominique Ellis and Pough collided and Pough walked off under his own steam. He was checked on the sidelines. It's about 6:36 now and they placed the ball on the 30 with 70 yards to go. Spiller and Chandler are in there with the usual O-Line. Dareus. Carrington. Mario Williams. Kyle Williams. are across the front but line up in different spots, loop around and stuff. Alonso is diagnosing really quick. Spiller has a run for 3, and on the next play a spin and extra run for a first down. Ebb and flow, because Alonso reads the next play and has a TFL on Spiller. EJ passes long, but McKelvin INTs. Lindell kicks the XP. The defense sends in Jay Ross and Carrington. Blatnick is in there too, because Alonso blitzes on 3rd down, allowing Blatnick to get the sack. Powell punts, Easley muffs it and has to fall on it for a poor drive start. Tuel comes in, passes to Marquise for a first down, then on the next play goes right back to Marquise for a 50 yard bomb to the 2 yard line. "This QB has some talent", I say. Choice gets the TD on the next play. Tuel's next series has Zach Brown getting tough yards up the middle for 4 and 3 yards. On third down, Scott and Blatnick (who IS going to make this squad somehow) stonewall Brown and Powell punts to Woods, who has an average punt return. Tuel comes in again. This is the Kendall Gaskins show. Screen right to Gaskins for 8 yards, fake to Gaskins pass down the side to Brad Smith and Kip Edwards lays him out. I had to look that one up---"WTF is #39?" Tuel goes right back to Smith for the first down. Tuel fakes again to Gaskins and throws bomb number two, this one a 60-yarder to Da'Rick Rogers, with Rolle saving the TD. I think Gaskins takes it in, and the XP is good. Tuel is in again, Gaskins rolls for 15 yards and we're saying, "Choice was Gailey's guy for Dallas, right?" Gaskins is taller and beefier than Choice. This is a great preseason battle, because I see it as Choice and Brown battling for #4 at the moment. Dorin Dickerson makes a catch but is hit (don't have the number, anyone know?) and it forces a fumble, but it's out of bounds. Gaskins carries again, and Chris White tackles him well--good form tackles for White. But Tuel has his THIRD bomb, this one to Easley down the far sideline 45 yards...but he's narrowly out of bounds. Lindell hits the video jack for a FG. It's 7:00 and we're in full scrimmage mode. Dareus, Carrington, Ross, Hughes, Bradham, Gilmore, etc. vs. the first team offense again with EJ. I'm watching Alonso now because someone asked about his recognition skills, and he's right where he's supposed to be on three plays. On first down, he went right to the spot where the RB was headed and made the tackle. On 2nd down, he went to his left, put on his brakes and covered the TE coming out. He did the same on the next play, but covered Zach Brown the RB. Very encouraged. Blatnick makes another stop with Searcy, and the O punts the ball, McKelvin bringing it out to the 25. He looks more athletic and quicker than last year. Best O play might have been EJ on a keeper, worst D play was def. holding. Stahovich has a nice punt with oodles of hang time so that McKelvin has to fair catch it. Gaskins has a nice hole but Alonso fills it, Dareus looks solid as Gaskins is stonewalled. On third down EJ takes a little off a pass and it allows the D to cover Dickerson for a Pass Broken Up. EJ on his next series passes to LEe Smith for a first down (See? Smith catches the ball this year!) Legursky is in for this series, and while he looks small next to Cordy, he's technically strong, sitting in his stance against the likes of Carrington et al. Woods has an end around but the D is wise to it, with Kortnei Brown and Bryan Scott sniffing it out and staying disciplined. On the next play, EJ's pass is tipped at the line by Moats and it's INT time again. Hackett tries an I-formation now with 2 RBs, but Jarron Gilbert and Moats stop the first run, Corbin Bryant stops the second. Legursky wasn't blocking a man on this play. On third down, Crezdon Butler and Dominique Ellis get the PBU, and they punt. McKelvin's punt return is his strongest of the night. Zebrie Sanders is now in for Legursky. While Legursky is the tech guy, Sanders is the wreck guy, the mauler. He moves his man out of the way and Gaskins has a nice gain. After Brad Smith misses a pass over the middle (yet again), EJ fakes to Gaskins and throws a first down to Provo, who hasn't even unpacked yet. Sanders looks strong again, opening up a hole for Gaskins. Turnley is the OC now, and Gaskins goes over the middle to the 4 yard line. Carrington is all over the place. He engages Sanders, backs off, goes clear around to the other side of the D-Line but the RT (Sam Young, I think) picks him up. Young was the best RT tonight, and Sanders-Legursky is a tie but may depend on the situation, as Legursky seems to be the better pass blocker and Sanders the mauling run blocker. Duke Williams had a PI called on him against Hogan. Duke could have used the sideline more as his friend. On goal to go, Gaskins was stopped on the goal line, but EJ faked to Gaskins on the next play and sashayed right in for the TD. Hopkins made the PAT, missing the video guy by 2'. Tuel's in with Snow, Legursky, Keith Williams, and Young (I'm missing somebody there). Gaskins catches a Tuel pass for 20 (he's the leader in all-purpose yards), and runs up the middle for a TD, Hopkins clears the video guy's head by 10'. EJ shows his athleticism o nthe next series, buying time with his feet and hitting Provo for 15 down to the 10 yard line. Drew Smith, RB in the slot position, gets his TD for Albany. uh...Buffalo. Tuel looked worse on the next series, holding the ball Trent-style on one play, throwing to Hogan out of bounds on another, and having Brad Smith drop yet another one. Smith is not a sure thing for this roster. Hopkins bangs in a 51-yard FG, and they begin goal line work. Defense ruled the goal line stand, stuffing Tuel's O 4x and EJ's 3 out of 4 times, allowing one TD. No practice tomorrow, so I'll be back for Wed's morning practice! -Astro

I'm bringing my roster and a notebook tonight. We will have it up here by 9:45 EST. If it's not complete by then, I'll submit what I have and add on as I finish it. Go Bills! Astro

The big takeaways from today's practice: Growney Stadium was full, and there were fans 2-deep around the entire field. It's a Sunday, but that's what Night Practices are going to be like too. Sunday practices bring out the families. Lots of peripheral fans--you know, the ones wearing baseball jerseys. We don't have a reliable kicker. Both Lindell and Hopkins stunk. Hiking the ball from the 23-30, Lindell missed 5 of 9 and Hopkins only missed 2 of 9. But later in practice, Lindell was 3 of 4 and Hopkins was 1 of 4. Blatnick did some fundamental drills with the LB's and some with the D-Line. It bodes well for him. CJ is just warming up. On 3rd down drills, he ripped off a 20 yard pass play followed 14 seconds later by a 10 yard run. Gaskins is a pretty good running back. He's #3 in my book after CJ and FJ. Catching, running, and blocking, I liked what I saw. He's not doe-eyed. He acts like he belongs here. Zach Brown looked much better than earlier in camp on a sweep and an inside run, both for ~15 yds. Freddy dropped a sideline pass as did Drew Smith. Drew Smith is having a very tough time. Gragg tore it up again at TE;after a Spiller run, the second and third 11 on 11 plays were to Gragg--same pass play run opposite sides. He made 15 yards to the L and 10 to the R. Later he had 2 nice runs. Chandler played today, so I don't know if we see him in the scrimmage tomorrow night. Lots of ebb and flow between Offense and Defense. After those two CJ plays, the ball is tipped and Searcy takes it the other way for an INT. After the defense gums up a run up the middle, and nabs 2 sacks (one by Hughes, one by Bradham), Easley has a beautiful catch, then Gilmore picks off Easley on the next play. You won't be able to leave your seat for popcorn this year. The LB corps is coming together. Lots of great commo out there, Kiko had an INT, Moats fakes a blitz then drops out, Bradham had great pressure and a sack, Hughes from rushbacker/DE position has a sick under-the-tackle's block that reminds me a bit of Bruce, Bryan Scott, coming up, gums up a play. Da'Rick Rogers and Easley are pushing for those last WR roster spots. But Hogan made a sweet catch for first down plus the catch of the day on a swing route, Sampson had his best day as a Bill in KR and WR duty. Elliott was back on the sidelines with the sling. We ran some read-option with EJ. We may see more of that on Monday night. The pace of play is picking up even more. I counted 12 sec., 14, 11, and 13. They changed personnel at one point and it took 24 seconds. I am impressed with the content of the Positional Drills. These guys are getting the fundamentals in ways I haven't seen at Bills Camps. For example, the WRs all did over-the-head catches while LBs did one on hand use while OL did drive blocking while RBs worked on draw play movement, while QBs worked on footwork while DEs worked on rip moves and spin moves while DBs worked on catching the damn ball. Not sure we'll go much longer with 2 QBs out there. While he had some good moments, Tuel bounced a pass off a helmet for an INT, threw one to a spot halfway between him and the WR, and had a pick. EJ shows athleticism, improved reading of the D, and a high football sense, but can't do everything. Watch for a signing of a third QB. Any guesses?

Cordarelle's impressing! "wearing Moss’ jersey, Rice’s hair and Cris Carter’s physique while hinting at Harvin’s versatility" http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/217327491.html

This is what I'm thinking, this is such a talented group. The Stevie-TJ-Woods-Goodwin-Rogers group is the deepest I've seen, including Moulds-Price and Reed-Lofton-Beebe. Dude, THIS is the official forum. Biggest, least hassle signing in, and most erudite. Look it up. And thanks for asking if you could plagiarize it before posting it elsewhere.

If anybody's going to the practice Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, let me know. Will check back later.

EJ who?

Getting an MRI on his hammy. This will be known as #HammyGate The crowd is quiet as 2 trainers helped him off. My opinion is that it isn't that serious as he was walking on it without a limp and with minimal help. This won't be long-term injury, but worth gearing Stevie down for a couple weeks. And I play a doctor on TV. Freddy Jackson gave him a love tap on the helmet.

The big news is that Stevie went down 3/4 through practice with what looks like a hammy. This will be known as "#HammyGate". Impressions from today: ~ Tuel showed improved velocity and touch today. Threw a divine fade pass to the corner and a sleek bullet to a double-covered receiver. Now we'll work on throwing to the WIDE OPEN Chandler in the endzone, who was back in pads today. ~Alonso-Moats is a fun battle. Both are getting their pre-snap commands out, with Moats maybe a little slower to "see the play". ~Dowtin had a sack today on EJ, as did Mana Silva on a safety blitz. Nice to write different names. ~Marquise Goodwin was a monster out there today. Hauled in 2 TDs. ~I think our #1 priority right now is to get our OL in gear. Lots of switcheroo at LG today. Maybe I'm wrong, but Branden Albert sure would look nice in a sign and trade for Byrd. ~Jerry Hughes WILL be a frequent starter for this defense. He had a sack and was wreaking havoc all day. ~Turnley was OC for the 3's and just wouldn't let up from start to whistle. ~They are now full-on blitzing Tuel as well as EJ. Both handled it better than expected; EJ had a designed QB sweep that neutralized it. ~Fun battle today between Hopkins and Lindell. Started with 6/6 consecutive FGs for both of them from 30 and 35. Lindell's were closer calls; Hopkins just let 'em sail, one time clearing the fence behind the goalposts. Finally Hopkins missed left, and had to re-kick. He made the re-do. Lindell answered with a miss of his own that fell short. All in All, it was a tie that has to favor the young guy (cheaper, longer career ahead of him, invested a draft pick). Both missed 4 today. ~Outside gunners today on Kickoffs were Woods, Kip Edwards, Nickell Robey, Tashard Choice; alternating with McKelvin, Brandon Kaufman, Crezdon Butler and another guy. Lots of special teams work on downfield blocking. TJ Graham dropped the ball on a KR. ~Kevin Elliott wasn't there at the outset. He appeared later with a sling. We was #7 WR IMHO ~Today's SLUG (slow lame under-effort guy) Award goes to Jumal Rolle, who limply jogged downfield on kickoffs like he was on a Sunday drive. He will be! ~EJ still makes some overthrows, some bad reads, but Hackett points them out, talking to him after every series. He missed Chandler in the endzone (he looked right, passed right, but Chandler was in the middle between goalposts), but another time found an all-alone Robert Woods for a TD and Dorin Dickerson for a TD. Offense now does chest bumps after a TD. Cool! EJ does not make the same mistake twice, but he is still inconsistent, learning, with upside up the wazoo. ~Our starting D front in 11 on 11 today is Dareus, Kyle Williams, and Jerry Hughes. On two consecutive plays, I watched Hughes. He set the edge on a play to the left, making the stop (still not a real tackle as we're not supposed to tackle yet). On the next play, he moved to his left side and sacked Tuel. Tuel replied by passing 15-20 yards to Chandler, down to the 5 yard line, completing the series with a TD to TJ Graham. I was most impressed with Hughes and Tuel in that set. ~ Brad Smith dropped one on the next series, Marquise (who's going to get serious playing time) had a nice slant (again) from EJ, immediately turning upfield for massive yards. This will be one of our bread and butter plays all year. I don't see how a D could stop it. ~Stevie went down with his #HammyGate about now. The crowd is quiet as 2 trainers helped him off. My opinion is that it isn't that serious as he was walking on it without a limp and with minimal help. This won't be long-term injury, but worth gearing Stevie down for a couple weeks. And I play a doctor on TV. Freddy Jackson gave him a love tap on the helmet. ~EJ showed improved target selection in the latter half of the day, but did overthrow a WR for what would have been another TD. ~Kolb looked better than he's looked before. He threw a pinpoint rope to Marquise for a TD, would have had another TD but it was a stellar PBU by Justin Rogers. He also showed some scrambling ability--must have learned that in Arizona. The LT during this series was Zebrie Sanders, and lord is he a load. Did well, just roadgrading players out of the way. LG was Chibane, MArrone's OL from Syracuse. Kolb then had a nice pass to Brad Smith (Smith had slipped on a previuos play), pass to Spiller (dropped by CJ), very nice shifty run by Spiller, and a TD to Woods. ~Play of the day was 60+ yard TD by Marquise Goodwin, dropped right in his hands at full speed. I don't recall the QB, sorry.

A $3 tip is offensive, and Marrone WAS Brees' Offensive Coordinator. I blame Marrone.

I love ProFootballFocus's Premium Subscription stats. All of DraftTek's Team Analysts get a subscription and cite the stats in their Comments they make. They have sortable rankings By week, by team, by position, and by player for just about any offensive and defensive category your can list. It's the only premium subscription I consider worth the money.

Almost good. As an editor at DraftTek, I cringe when player names for your team are misspelled. He calls Kiko Alonso "Kiki" and Robert Woods "Wood".

Wonderful OP! I'm happy with the trade already because I think Tavon will be another Roscoe and "Parrish" in the hard-hitting NFL. Upside individually for EJ, Kiko, and Marquise is huge, and Gragg could actually learn how to catch the football.

I am impressed with EJ's ability to take off and run when the D has all bases covered, which is more frequently the case since last year. I would grade Kolb at C- but serviceable if the O-Line holds up, and I would give EJ an incomplete until they throw the kitchen sink at him. The 2nd and 3rd teamers also get more reps because they often divide the group in half, so men are not just standing around. They also have a scoreclock at one end of the field which tells what "Period" it is and how long it will last. E.g., If it's Period 14, every coach already seems to know what they're working on and with whom.

I'm special.