Williams Misses Practice Again: Mike Williams was not on the practice field with the Bills this afternoon during the club's lone workout. This is the second straight practice he has missed. Tom Donahoe has told the media that unlike yesterday's absence, today's was unexcused. He will be fined by the team. Donahoe re-iterated that his absence has nothing to do with being demoted to the second string or any perceived weight issues. It appears Williams is just struggling dealing with the death of his grandmother. It was her illness that caused him to miss most of the organized team activities that put him behind as camp started. Donahoe believes Williams is still on campus but will be fined every practice he misses.
Tickets Gone: All the tickets for next Wednesday's night practice have been distributed by Tops Friendly Markets. Tickets for this Wednesday's night practice have been gone for a week as we reported earlier. The scrimmage also has no tickets left as it is soldout.
Hollis; Johnson Work: Former Bills Mike Hollis and Charles Johnson are in camp working as volunteer coaches. Hollis of course, is working with the kickers while Johnson is working with the receivers and sitting in on meetings.
Practices Efficient: The first three practices have been very efficient so far. In fact, they have been so efficient that Coach Mularkey has cut them all short because they have got all their work done quickly. The team is on the field only once today in the afternoon. While there are many more two-a-days than in previous camps, there are none back to back.
QBs In Autograph Tent: It is a big day in the autograph tent for those attending the one practice session today. The three quarterbacks, Drew Bledsoe, J.P. Losman and Travis Brown will be signing autographs after practice.
Monday August 2, 2004
Seals Leaves Practice: It was a very hot and humid day at St. John Fisher College and it took its toll in the two a day practices today. Offensive lineman Richard Seals went down on a knee an hour into the afternoon practice and was taken by two trainers to the hydration tent. His condition will be updated on Tuesday but it isn't considered serious. Injury Page.
Williams Out For Personal Reasons: The Bills released a statement after this afternoon's practice in which Mike Mularkey said that Mike Williams was excused from practice for personal reasons. They were quick to point out that it had nothing to do with him being unhappy on being demoted to second string. Empire reports that he is on the campus of St. John Fisher and is expected to practice tomorrow.
Bills Hit With Pads: For the first time in this training camp there was a lot of hitting going on in the afternoon practice. As we reported earlier the team was in full pads this afternoon. Willis McGahee got his first hits and was fine afterwards. Everyone seemed to come out of the heavy hitting practice in good shape.
Williams A No Show: The Mike Williams saga gets stranger and stranger as camp hits full swing. Williams was demoted to second string as we have reported. He was then, a no show for today's afternoon practice session. Mike Mularkey is expected to make a statement on the Williams issue after the afternoon practice session.
Morning Practice Cut Short: The morning practice was very effective, so Mike Mularkey cut it a bit short. The team wasn't in pads in the morning session but were in full pads in the afternoon session. They are also expected to be in full pads in the other two-a-days this week on Wednesday and Friday.
Evans Works With First Team: The Bills have two practices today and one note worthy item came out of the morning session. Rookie Lee Evans practiced with the first unit instead of Josh Reed. Coach Mularkey is obviously working in different combinations to see how far along some players are and may be looking to see how much the rookie has learned. It wouldn't be a surprise if Evans ends up starting on opening day though.
Missed Minicamp Hurt: Mike Williams temporary demotion has everyone buzzing. It appears his demotion was caused by him falling behind by missing the last three weeks of organzied team activites and off season workouts. Coach Mularkey said that the demotion is not punishment, just that he needs to catch up. Marcus Price knows his promotion is temporary and promised to help Williams catch up.
Gildon at DE: Jason Gildon took his first reps in training camp at defensive end. This gives a preview at how he will be used in the season as a situation pass rusher. Mularkey says they are bringing Gildon along slowly since he's not up to speed on the defensive schemes and they want to start him with the area he will most likely be used in.
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Players Who Helped Themselves: It was only a scrimmage but several players helped their cause for making the team or moving up the depth chart. Willis McGahee ran the ball seven times for 34 yards and a touchdown during regular drills. He really showed his toughness in the goal line drills scoring on three straight runs from the two yard line. He seems to be back, but Travis Henry also looked impressive as he had runs of 9 yards and 12 yards on the first two plays of the scrimmage. The defense looked very good at times as they kept the Browns out of the end zone during normal drills and only allowed them two touchdowns in six goal line drills. Specifically, Izell Reese made a good case at holding on two his starting job with a touchdown saving tackle and a subsequent interception in the end zone. Lee Evans also made a headlines catching a bomb from Travis Brown for a 49 yard gain. Brown has had a great camp also and will probably hold off J.P. Losman. He struggled early, as expected, but finished the scrimmage with four straight completions for 39 yards and a touchdown run on a bootleg to finish a nice drive.