Two Bills Drive

‘“He was devoted to the four F’s — family, friends, football and food,” Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy said Thursday at a memorial service…“What kind of a man is John Butler? And the reason I ask, is because John Butler lives on. His legacy inspires us,” Levy said.’

Ken Simonton earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in five weeks for his performance in the Claymores' 17-10 loss to Barcelona last Sunday. The Bills allocated running back came within three yards of becoming the first player in NFL Europe history to gain 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. Follow Buffalo's players in NFL Europe

‘”Players tend to play with more confidence when they’re on a surface such as grass or something like this that’s more forgiving,” he said. “We could tell the difference when we’d come out of the Fieldhouse. The AstroTurf was a lot harder; we had more aches and pains."’

Rookies, newcomers and selected veterans will report to Fisher on Wednesday, July 23 and begin practice the following day. The rest of the veterans will report on Saturday, July 26 with the first full practice sessions on Sunday, July 27. The Bills plan to break camp at Fisher August 20.

Thursday, July 24 Early group reports to training camp

Saturday, July 26 Veterans report to training camp

‘Among those expected to speak at the service are ex-Bills coach Marv Levy, the Chargers’ Marcellus Wiley and ESPN’s Chris Berman. Chargers team pastor Shawn Mitchell will preside.’

‘The Chargers will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. today at New Venture Christian Fellowship, 4000 Mystra Drive in Oceanside, for Butler, who died last month of complications from lung cancer.’

‘"Putting on the Bills helmet was exciting."

Bills RB Ken Simonton, who had another huge day in NFLE competition last week, will be back in action this Saturday as he leads the Scottish Claymores against the Frankfurt Galaxy. Kickoff from Frankfurt will be at 1:00 PM (ET).

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‘" I set my alarm on Sunday mornings to watch the games,sometimes I’m up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the game at 6 a.m.," stated the dedicated sailor. "It’s time well spent and well worth getting up that early. I’m excited for this year with a couple of night games on the Bills schedule I won’t have to get up that early."’

‘"I loved Buffalo. I will never forget, at 27 years old, I cried when I was traded."’

‘But sooner or later, perhaps even now, Travis is going to embrace it. He’s got to embrace it. If he doesn’t, he’s not the back he thinks he is.’

Fans will also have the opportunity to check out the new playing surface that is being installed at Ralph Wilson Stadium. A special AstroPlay display will be set up so fans can see and feel the new surface for themselves.

‘"Peerless was extraordinarily fast, but I think Josh can do some things well enough that we’ll be fine," Bills offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. "He’s going to give us some toughness. He’ll give us a guy that runs with the ball very well after the catch. Not that Peerless didn’t do a great job with those things because he was extraordinary. He was one of those guys that could take the ball and go the distance."’