Astro-Notes: Final Open Practice of Training Camp

[Jerry Jabber]

Astro,

 

Thank you for all your efforts again this summer! They are always very appreciated!

[Buffalo Barbarian]

It's a cloudy day, about 70 degrees, with a light breeze. I have my clipboard for notes and Tim Horton's Ice Capp to attract yellowjackets. Both worked.

 

I'm there 20 minutes early, and Garrison Sanborn is playing catch with an assistant coach, so he was the Early Bird. In order, the other players come up the walk from the locker/team rooms adjacent to the field house: Jordan Gay, Wesley Miller (new DB), Ross Cockrell, Matt Cassel, Robert Woods, Andre Fluellen, and Carpenter.. Dex Lewis comes out and stretches all alone on the turf field. Deonte Thompson is next, stopping at the fence to sign autographs for a youngster. Tobais Palmer was with him, but he stood nervously back from the fence (cut the guy). Andre Davis is next, and he has his picture taken with another family, then just with the mother (practice squad behavior). Fred Jackson appears and likewise signs for some kids. None of the players use the JUGS machine today; they all walk slowly right to the grass field. The DL and OL guys turn and move to the third field perpendicular to the turf and grass fields as they always do. You can tell it's the end of camp. It's wearing on the players, who have been away too long from loved ones and familiar beds.

 

Some informal kick return work is happening on the field before the horn signaling that it's 10:00. I see FredEx, Tobais Palmer, Percy Harvin and Cierre Wood taking kicks.

 

O'Leary looks a little lost out there, and practice hasn't started yet. I wish I could say he's a lock for the 53, but he's not. The play of Gragg, Marqueis Gray, and Mulligan backing up Clay has likely put O'Leary on the PS unless they keep 5 TEs. That's opinion. Marqueis Gray is over on the sidelines in a three-point stance with the TE coach, moving into blocking. He does this maybe 5 times, receiving specific 1:1 tips. This is the biggest difference I see from practices of the past. It's individualized, targeted remedial teaching on the fine points. They likely saw something on film with Gray and were working on it with reps.

 

The horn sounds, signaling 10:00. Gilmore and Carrington, who are late, break into an earnest run for their respective gathering places, the music comes on, and stretching begins. Those not in the stretching are Hogan, Harvin, Watkins, and McCoy, but they are doing strength/core work on the sidelines.

 

I'm sitting with Mike, Varsity coach at Bloomfield, formerly of HF-L. He was helpful at spotting, and between plays tells me an interesting story about Ty Fenti, St. John Fisher's recent QB, who broke all records there. He's 6'3" 220 a Jim Kelly type. He just tried out for CFL but blew out his labrum in the 3rd preseason game. Expect Russ Brandon, a SJF graduate, to at least know about this kid.

 

Return drills are next. Marqise Goodwin is not the kick returner today. Thigpen and newcomer Austin Willis are, while Goodwin is one of the gunners.

 

Punt return drills follow, with Schmidt kicking from his 15 to the 32 for a 53-yard boot. His next punt is 55, and then 63 yards. On the next punt, IK "Jawbreaker" Enemkapali is called offsides, then IK almost gets to Schmidt on the ensuing punt. It might have ruffled Schmidt, as the kick only goes 33 yards.

 

Rex is wearing an orange Bills shirt as are all the coaches. You'll likely see these on Saturday night.

 

Some passes against air was the next thing I looked at. Tobais "I Didn't Sign Autographs" Palmer makes a one-handed catch on the sidelines, causing the fans to applaud for the first time, but likely too late to save him from The Turk. QBs Cassel and Tyrod are throwing to TE's Cassel is first, and puts the ball in the right place 100% of the time (11 of 11 by my count). He's likely your starter. Tyrod is second, making good passes on 7 of 10 (70%). He's your Number Two. Simultaneously, on the other end of the field, my count on EJ throwing to the WRs was 6 of 7 (85%), throwing too low on the one he missed. He's your 3rd QB. Simms was 100% (6 of 6) against air.

 

In the first 11 on 11, there were very few passes thrown, but Cassel threw a lame duck which was almost intercepted. Tyrod was 2 for 3 with one too-high pass that needed a taller WR. EJ had 1 of 1, a nice 30-yarder on target. Simms was 3 of 4, one of the receptions being a 40 yard ball and the miss being way too high.

 

The 7 on 7 wasn't noteworthy other than Cassel was worse. He was 60%, throwing one wide of the mark and one behind Dez Lewis, who threw his arms up like, "Where was that to?"

 

In the 11 on 11, some things got clear for me. Seantrel and Kujo took reps at LT, with Kujo handling a forceful bullrush by Enemkapali (who's making this team). Cierre Wood looks the best of the 3 new RBs, then it's a wash between BHill and Seale, maybe Seale looks marginally better. Simms had a believable screen pass to Seale, and Cierre Wood took a nice line on a sweep left. Tyrod looked better than any of the QBs in this 11 on 11, throwing to Gragg for a huge gain as Gragg gets separation often (that's why he may make the 53). EJ was in after Tyrod, and throws a rope to O'Leary, right on the money. O'Leary is the most intense TE and is the throwback type football player. Will he make the 53? Whom do you throw out? I liked Marqueis Gray's athleticism, physicality, and effort--something I was told about Percy Harvin and never saw. I liked Marqueis Gray's athleticism, physicality, and effort--something I was told about Percy Harvin and never saw. Deonte Thompson catches a nice EJ ball for 20 and is hit immediately by #20, Graham. Pencil Graham in at S; he's not going anywhere, and neither is Deonte, I bet.

 

In the next 7 on 7, Tyrod was picture perfect, with 7 of 7 completions (100%), with a nice Mulligan catch (for a blocker, he's making the team on his reliability as a pass catcher), Deonte Thompson on a beautiful crossing route, a great swing pass to Jerome Felton, and a perfect deep ball to Goodwin (which he dropped. Again. 'Bye, #88).

EJ was 2 of 4 (50%), once too far ahead of his receiver so that the DB had a play on the ball, and once too high, causing Dez Lewis's tip that would have been an INT. Completions were to Gray and a crossing pattern to Goodwin.

 

Even though I'm a big Tyrod fan, I think we're starting the year with Cassel under center. I hope I'm wrong.

 

I want to thank 3rdand12 for his generous gift, which he gave on behalf of all of you. It was a gift card to Good Smoke BBQ in East Rochester, which both of us HIGHLY recommend if you come to camp next year. Thank You, Eric!

 

 

Now you did it Astro, threads are going to pop up about signing Ty Fenti for QB.

 

Orange shirts!?

[3rdand12]

Simplest solution to irrational fans who will be irrational no matter what happens - do something irrationally and trade him now and include the fans as part of the trade.

all of us ?

 

: (

Edited August 26, 2015 by 3rdand12

[BuffaninATL]

Thanks for the notes! I don't disagree with you that Cassel seems to be the favorite. But I can't figure out why. I have a gut feeling that we're in for a repeat of an Orton-esque year if Meh Cassel is under center.

if that's the case, I am seeing a lot of discontent among the WR corps, and hope the days of Captain Checkdown are not ahead of us. Cassel at QB is like putting regular gasoline in a Lamborghini.

I think his name is Matt

we know it is; Meh is the euphemism for being completely underwhelmed. I think you might have missed the sarcasm.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

Yes, but his collegiate completion percentage of 57% ia a LOT lower than even EJ Manuel's. If Manuel is too inaccurate, what do yo expect from a player that completed 10 of 100 passes fewer than Manuel?

 

Not saying Manuel is the guy, but just saying check your enthusiasm for Taylor.

Yeah college stats mean everything! Right Matt Barkley?

[GunnerBill]

The one big miss on Astro's 53 is Corbin Bryant. He is a lock

[Astrobot]

Thanks. Can't see keeping five tight ends; another wideout perhaps.

Disagree. Read This: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Romans-offense-requires-tight-ends-in-numbers/7c761f20-10d7-4d32-be0f-548cdd15653f

The one big miss on Astro's 53 is Corbin Bryant. He is a lock

Adding him to the keepers. He IS a lock. I cut Goodwin. Apologies in advance, but I know he'll be injured by this post, and won't catch it either.

[Canadian Bills Fan]

Thanks so much Astro!

 

 

 

CBF

[Rocky Landing]

I understand that John Connor was back from injury? Does anyone know if he was full go in practice?

[Canadian Bills Fan]

I understand that John Connor was back from injury? Does anyone know if he was full go in practice?

 

 

Can we protect him from the Terminator?

 

 

 

Sorry I had to

 

 

CBF

[GunnerBill]

Disagree. Read This: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Romans-offense-requires-tight-ends-in-numbers/7c761f20-10d7-4d32-be0f-548cdd15653f

 

I think the argument against 5 Tight Ends is the "best 53 players" one. Clay is obviously one of our best 53. If you say Mulligan in a blocking role as a specialist almost maybe there is an argument for him being in there too. For me Gray and Gragg are then on the bubble as in the best 53 players and O'Leary is outside the best 53. I think we have too much talent elsewhere for 5 tight ends when at least 3 of them are arguably not in the top 53 players on this roster. For example if it comes down to (not saying it will) do you keep Andre Davis who has flashed real potential or a 5th tight end who has shown nothing..... then where do you go? For me you go with Davis. I was thinking we keep 3... I think seeing the scheme more in pre-season games that 4 is very likely. 5? Too far for me.

[Rocky Landing]

 

 

Can we protect him from the Terminator?

 

 

 

Sorry I had to

 

 

CBF

That was his nickname with the Jets, both for the reference to his name, and his ability to lay people out.

[YoloinOhio]

 

I think the argument against 5 Tight Ends is the "best 53 players" one. Clay is obviously one of our best 53. If you say Mulligan in a blocking role as a specialist almost maybe there is an argument for him being in there too. For me Gray and Gragg are then on the bubble as in the best 53 players and O'Leary is outside the best 53. I think we have too much talent elsewhere for 5 tight ends when at least 3 of them are arguably not in the top 53 players on this roster. For example if it comes down to (not saying it will) do you keep Andre Davis who has flashed real potential or a 5th tight end who has shown nothing..... then where do you go? For me you go with Davis. I was thinking we keep 3... I think seeing the scheme more in pre-season games that 4 is very likely. 5? Too far for me.

thats where I am with oleary too. He hadn't shown anything. He's development depth that fits the system - perfect PS candidate. Could he get scooped up by another team? Sure but that's the risk you take. The upside is you keep someone on the active roster you would actually feel comfortable playing in a real game. The downside is if he gets signed by another team and you lose a TE or 2 to injury during the season, you need to sign someone off of waivers (or someone else's PS). I guess I haven't seen enough from oleary thus far to think we wouldn't do just as well or better going that route for a 4th TE, if needed. Edited August 26, 2015 by YoloinOhio

[Rocky Landing]

Disagree. Read This: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Romans-offense-requires-tight-ends-in-numbers/7c761f20-10d7-4d32-be0f-548cdd15653f

 

Four TEs, and two FBs?

[Malazan]

He was really impressed by Tyrod. He came over, gave him a high five and gave him an autograph. It was really cool. Richie was friendly too. He's working overtime to overcome his "bully" reputation. I'm glad the Bills are willing to give guys like RI a second (or third) chance. It was especially impressive because we weren't in any of the special areas - just average fans showing interest in the team.

 

I wasn't a Ritchie fan before the whole incident (which I believe he did things to be punished for, but they threw all the blame on him) in Miami, but I've always heard he was a 'likeable' guy and never heard anything bad from fans so I don't know if it's him working hard to shed the bully label or if he's just a 'likeable' guy unless you're Jonathan Martin.

[nucci]

if that's the case, I am seeing a lot of discontent among the WR corps, and hope the days of Captain Checkdown are not ahead of us. Cassel at QB is like putting regular gasoline in a Lamborghini.

we know it is; Meh is the euphemism for being completely underwhelmed. I think you might have missed the sarcasm.

No, you missed mine.

[Rocky Landing]

 

I wasn't a Ritchie fan before the whole incident (which I believe he did things to be punished for, but they threw all the blame on him) in Miami, but I've always heard he was a 'likeable' guy and never heard anything bad from fans so I don't know if it's him working hard to shed the bully label or if he's just a 'likeable' guy unless you're Jonathan Martin.

I put a lot of stock in Kyle speaking up on his behalf.

[Beef Jerky]

Glad the open practices are done.

[Saxum]

 

I wasn't a Ritchie fan before the whole incident (which I believe he did things to be punished for, but they threw all the blame on him) in Miami, but I've always heard he was a 'likeable' guy and never heard anything bad from fans so I don't know if it's him working hard to shed the bully label or if he's just a 'likeable' guy unless you're Jonathan Martin.

Well I am sure the woman whom he was accused of sexually harassing and molesting (with a golf club) at a 2012 team charity event will have a different opinion BUT if you decide to settle for money rather than perusing charges it is MY opinion your accusations have less weight.