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NEWS ARCHIVES - APR 27TH - MAY 3RD, 2009 PREVIOUS WEEK

Rookies Go To Work

Rookie Camp Ends: The Bills wrapped up the weekend rookie camp with one session this morning. Dick Jauron was especially pleased how the tryout players performed. He said a lot of times the tryout players detoriate as the weekend progresses but that didn't happen. He expects to invite at least 5 to 10 of the 30 tryout players to the OTAs and perhaps training camp. That means expect some more signings this week of a few of these players. The team's website mentioned running back Maurice Wells, strong safety Tyrrell Herbert, linebacker Solomon Elimimian, long snapper Garrison Sanborn and wide receivers De’Cody Fagg, Alonzo Phillips and Dominique Thompson as players that performed well. The young players benefited from extra attention that they won't receive when the veterans show up for OTAs later this month. Top pick Aaron Maybin gathered the young players at the conclusion of camp for a short speech.

Jack Kemp Dies: Former Bills and Western New York Congressman Jack Kemp passed away after a lengthy illness at the age of 73. Kemp was a quarterback on the Bills two AFL Championship teams. He had an advanced form of an unspecified cancer. Our condolences go out to his family.


Saturday May 2, 2009

OL Shakeout: Two days of the rookie minicamp are in the books with one practice to still go tomorrow. The Bills have been playing 1st round pick Eric Wood at right guard and 2nd rounder Adam Levitre at left guard. Wood has seen some reps at center as well but has played mostly at guard. The Bills are hoping that their first day guards will be able to man the starting spots on opening day. That will allow them to move Brad Butler to right tackle. This decision needs to be made sooner rather than later to get some cohesiveness on the line and get Butler acclimated to a position he has not played since college.


Friday May 1, 2009

First Rookie Camp Practices: The Bills held their first two rookie minicamp practices today. Eric Wood got some work at both guard and center and he will be looked at to swing positions on gameday if needed. Shawn Nelson didn't drop a pass according to the team's website. Dick Jauron addressed the media between sessions and said his first thoughts are that this is an athletic group. They move and look like the coaches thought they would. For the most part they are all in very good shapes. He's happy about seeing and meeting the new players. He would like the rookies to start learning the playbook this weekend. The draftees and college free agents are learning the playbook and getting initiated into the system while the tryout players are being looked at to see how athletic they are and to get a feel how they stack up if they bring them to camp. The tryout guys are either college free agents or guys that they have worked out before. This fills out the spots on both sides for walk throughs. They may do some 7 on 7 drills but no team work this weekend.

10 Signed: The Bills officially announced the signing of ten Undrafted Free Agents today. Those 10 players include many that we had on our front office page earlier in the week. The latest additions include USC DE Gerald Washington and Penn St. CB Lydell Sargeant along with Ole Miss OLB Ashlee Palmer. Go to our front office page for a complete list and links to their player profiles where available. Depth Chart.

30 In For Tryouts: The Rookie minicamp gets underway today with two practice sessions. There are two more tomorrow and one on Sunday. In attendance are 30 players being brought in for tryouts. They join the 10 undrafted free agents, the 8 drafted players, and last year's practice squad players on the field for the workouts. Among the 30 players brought in by the team is Ohio St. backup RB Maurice Wells and former Florida St. star WR De'cody Fagg who tore up his knee last year at the combine. There is a chance the team will add a few of these players to the roster after reviewing the workouts this weekend.

Bills Going No Huddle? Tim Graham of ESPN.com is reporting that sources tell him the Bills are looking to go to a no huddle offense this year. This type of offense may take full advantage of the talent at the skill positions along with masking some of the problems on the offensive line. It may give the Bills just a bit of an advantage that they need to make the offense better than past seasons.


Thursday April 30, 2009

Where Do Rookies Fit In? Now that we have had a few days to digest the Bills draft. It is time to review the picks and see where they may fit in. The team definitely went for big, versatile athletes that are high in character and intelligence. Will four of the eight players be able to make the move to new positions? That is the biggest question from this draft. Complete Story.

Kids Day Announced: The Bills announced that they will hold their ninth annual kids day promotion on Saturday Aug. 15th before the 7pm home preseason game against the Chicago Bears. There will be may pre-game activities for kids under 14 including a collectors item giveaway.

Rookies To Report: All the rookies are expected to report today to One Bills Drive as the team's rookie mini camp begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday. The camp is for all drafted players and undrafted free agents that were signed by the team. The Bills have yet to announce their signings but should make them public today. Unconfirmed Undrafted Free Agent Signings.


Wednesday April 29, 2009

Wilson's Daughter Passes Away: One of the daughters of Ralph Wilson has passed away. Linda Bogdan, who was a vice president with the team, died after losing her battle with cancer. She worked for the team the past 23 years and was VP and assistant director of collge and pro scouting. She was the only active female scout in the NFL. She was 61 years old. Our condolences go out to the entire Wilson family.


Tuesday April 28, 2009

Whitner Pleads Not Guilty: Donte Whitner pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Those charges stem from an April 13th incident outside a Cleveland nightclub. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled and Whitner left the courthouse without commenting. Police say it's unclear if Whitner was leaving the club to join the melee that was happening outside. He was tasered in the incident.

Hennessey Added: The Bills have reported agreed to a deal with undrafted free agent Nick Hennessey. The Colgate tackle reportedly agreed to a three year deal with the team. The Bills heard a lot of good things about the guy and think he's athletic. He is another player with a lot of playing experience under his belt. He may play guard or tackle at this level. Unconfirmed Undrafted Free Agent Signings.


Monday April 27, 2009

Lindquist Signed? Reports of undrafted free agent signings continue to trickle in. Earlier we reported they signed OT Joel Bell. Now reports say they have signed Illinois DT David Lindquist. The Bills haven't confirmed any signings. He had 44 tackles and 4 sacks last year. We are placing the reported signings on our front office page with links to profiles where available. Other reports say the Bills signed TE Travis McCall from Alabama and P Danny Urrego. McCall is a pure blocking tight end. Unconfirmed Undrafted Free Agent Signings.

Maybin Introduced: Aaron Maybin was introduced to the Buffalo media last night. He said he's very happy for the chance to play for such a great organization. He feels the pieces are in place for this team to compete and he's ready to contribute to a team that wants to win. He has many people in his life that is responsible for helping get to this point including Lavar Arrington and Ray Lewis.

Wood A Blue Collar Guy: The other first round pick, Eric Wood called it a real honor as well to be part of this organization. He wants to help get the team back to its glory days and considers himself and Aaron Maybin pieces of the puzzle. He wants to wear the blue collar attitude of the team. He feels he fits in because he grew up in a blue collar town like Buffalo. He doesn't think it will be tough moving from center to guard. A lot of techniques carry over from one place on the line to another especially on the inside. He feels he will get better at guard with more experience. He feels by the time the season starts he'll be fully confident at the position.

Jauron May Use Butler At Guard: Dick Jauron said the team now has some options at offensive tackle. Kirk Chambers, Demeterius Bell, and Langston Walker can all play there with Chambers and Walker able to play either side. Jauron also threw Brad Butler in the mix since he played there in college. If he moves over then the two guards drafted on day one may both start. He feels Adam Levitre is definitely better suited for guard in the NFL but that he has tackle experience is a plus. They decided they had the players to play tackle so they didn't need to stray from their draft board to take one.

Jauron Likes Experience Of Draft Picks:Dick Jauron said he likes the playing experience many of his new players had in college. He feels the quality of those starts is more important. Jauron doesn't feel the team has too many DBs now because most teams run many three and four wide receiver sets. The team now has enough corners that they probably won't sign any in the undrafted free agent market. He doesn't feel that the coaches will have issues with all the rookies that are switching positions. Since they are all good athletes and very intelligent it's up to the coaches to prepare them at their new positions.

Jauron On Nelson: Coach Jauron said Shawn Nelson has some unique ability and runs very well. They will play him in space but will line him up as a traditional tight end at times as well. Jauron feels that if they throw to the tight end more it will make him a better blocker because they will have to defend him in the passing game.

Brandon On Draft: Russ Brandon told the media last night that he feels they added some quality individuals and depth with versatility while staying true to their board. He's looking forward to signing undrafted free agents and the rookie minicamp this weekend. He's excited where the organization is headed and their goal is to play late into January. He said they aren't done yet as free agency is still going on through the entire offseason. He thinks they helped the offensive line but they will continue look for all ways to improve the ballclub.

Modrak On Nelson: Tom Modrak said he was a little surprised that Shawn Nelson was available in the fourth round. He feels he may be the most polished tight end he ever drafted. They had not spoken about drafting him earlier but they were happy he was there when their pick came up in the fourth round.

Modrak On Lankster: Tom Modrak feels seventh round pick Ellis Lankster is a 4.5 - 4.55 type of guy. He has good playing speed which was better than his timed speed. he plays faster and knows where he's going on every play.

Undrafted Signings Begin: Now that the draft is over the Bills and all NFL teams are in the process of signing the undrafted free agents. Reports will come out over the next day or two of players the Bills will sign but the team likely will wait to announce all the signings at the same time over the next couple of days. The first report we have is they have reportedly signed free agent OT Joel Bell. The Furman grad did not play top notch competition in college but he's considered an intriguing project who has long arms, big hands, and good footwork.



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