Stroud not bothered that Jags traded him
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 6:49 PM ET
STROUD NOT BOTHERED THAT JAGS TRADED HIM: Marcus Stroud was asked if he wants to show the Jaguars that they let a good player go. Stroud doesn't seem to be focused on that based on his answer.
"If you've seen me play you can tell that they've let a good player go," said Stroud. "So it's not about them. I don't even care about that any more. It's about me coming up here and being successful in Buffalo."
Still it's hard to deny how interesting things will be in week 2.
McKelvin to see return work?
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 6:45 PM ET
MCKELVIN TO SEE RETURN WORK?: At this point in the week Leodis McKelvin does not know if he'll get the opportunity to return kicks or punts with vets in front of him like Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish. But one thing is certain his confidence is sky high.
"As soon as they put me back there I am returning one, that is how I feel," said McKelvin. "Anytime I get my chance, I am going to return one. Whenever my name gets called, whenever it's going to be and whenever they are going to punt it to me or kick it to me may the best of my ability."
There's nothing to add there.
Unpredictable defense
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 6:41 PM ET
UNPREDICTABLE DEFENSE: In the spring defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said that he had made his defensive scheme more complex, feeling he could put more on the plate of his players now in year three of the system.
SS Donte Whitner confirmed today that the scheme is more varied which will make Buffalo's defense far more unpredictable than it has been. And some of the tidbits that Whitner provided leave me very intrigued to see just what they put out on the field Sunday. Here's what he had to say.
"With the additions we've made this offseason it will allow us to play some man-to-man in the secondary and get pressure up front. We're going to do a lot of different things. It is complex. We've added a lot of things. I wouldn't call us only a Tampa-2 defense. Now we have a couple of things mixed in from different systems, with some 3-4, 4-3, some zone blitz, some Tampa-2, some quarters (coverage). A lot of different things we're playing now so we're not so predictable and teams don't know where we're coming from and what we're doing."
I have to admit that a 3-4 look didn't cross my mind, but with a player like Stroud to put at the nose and a player like Spencer Johnson who could handle playing end in a 3-4, I think the Bills would be capable of rolling that look out there if they wanted to in a given week. Donte's comment really got me eager to see just what the defense has in store for this season.
Evans contract update
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 5:08 PM ET
EVANS CONTRACT UPDATE: Lee Evans was again asked on the status of negotiations for a contract extension. Here was his response.
"(There's) not really been any further progress on it," said Evans. "It's still been people talking and trying to work the thing, but nothing new has come through just yet."
When asked if it will be a distraction having not reached an agreement prior to the season Evans said.
"It's not really a distraction for me. For me, I just come out and try to play as well as I can everyday. The contract, that stuff will take care of itself. But it's not a distraction to me. I don't think it's a distraction to anybody on this team. We're just focusing on playing football."
Holmgren on Jauron
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 3:54 PM ET
HOLMGREN ON JAURON: Most people know that Dick Jauron was Mike Holmgren's secondary coach in Green Bay. Both worked together very closely and know each other's coaching philosophies pretty well. So I asked him if that familiarity makes for a dead heat in terms of a coaching matchup. Here was his facetious answer.
"I think the one thing we have in common is Dick went to Yale and I went to the Harvard of the west USC, so we both have Ivy League backgrounds," said Holmgren with tongue firmly in cheek.
Then Holmgren got a bit more serious his former assistant.
"Dick was such a great secondary coach for me in Green Bay and he's one of the finest human beings I've ever met. He teaches and coaches the way you should with his handling of players and his handling of people. And then his standards for himself it's a great model for young people. If I can keep up with him and along those lines I'll be doing pretty good."
Injury update
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 3:03 PM ET
INJURY UPDATE: TE Derek Fine (thumb) and OT/TE Matt Murphy (shoulder) are the only players on Buffalo's injury list this week. Both are out for Sunday's game.
Derek Schouman and John DiGiorgio both participated fully in practice.
Schouman told me that he feels just like he did prior to his knee injury. He said the only difference is he has a knee brace on.
Practice update
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 12:00 PM ET
DIGIORGIO AND CORTO PRACTICING: Both Jon Corto and John DiGiorgio are back practicing. DiGiorgio appears to limited, but we will have a full report later today.
Not practicing today are Matt Murphy and Derek Fine.
Official throwback jersey dates
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 10:33 AM ET
OFFICIAL THROWBACK JERSEY DATES: To address the lingering questions as to when the Bills will be wearing their throwback jerseys this season, it will be for two home games.
The first throwback jersey game will be on Sept. 21 against the Raiders.
The second will be on Nov. 30 when the Bills host the 49ers.
Monday QB Club luncheon
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 9:59 AM ET
MONDAY QB CLUB LUNCHEON SERIES: The Monday Quarterback Club, the business group that backs the Buffalo Bills, has announced that its first luncheon will be held on Monday, September 8, the day following the Bills first home game against the Seattle Seahawks. The luncheon, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, will be held at the Harbour Club at HSBC Arena, with doors open at 11:15 am for a buffet lunch, and the program following at 12:15 pm. The event is open to Monday Quarterback Club members and their guests.
The event coincides with the Bills' Alumni weekend, which honors former Bills linebackers and defensive backs from the last 48 years. Members of the Bills' alumni are expected to attend.
Those interested in joining can call 693-3807 or visit the Club web site at www.mondayqbc.com.
Bills Appreciation Days
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 9:55 AM ET
BILLS APPRECIATION DAYS: The last day is Saturday to take advantage of Bills Appreciation Days at M&T Bank. At any Buffalo or Rochester M&T branch up until Sept. 6th you can get special offers on the Bills Checking Package, a FREE Bills Car Magnet (while supplies last) and much more.
Here's this year's Bills car magnet along with other info if you want to check it out ahead of time.
Coors Light staging ultimate tailgate
Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 9:42 AM ET
COORS LIGHT STAGING ULTIMATE TAILGATE: Coors Light in conjunction with the Bills will be hosting the Ultimate Tailgate to kickoff the season in front of Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday.
Prior to the game activities will begin in Lot C from 9 am until 1 pm. The free event will feature an interactive games area, Jills cheerleaders, Billy Buffalo, souvenir photo opportunities, vendor displays and giveaways, a food and concessions village, a live radio broadcast, and live music featuring country/rock group Halfway to Hazard sponsored locally by Time Warner Cable and CMT.
Former Bills special teamer and wide receiver Lou Piccone (1977-82) will sing the national anthem during pregame activities. The U-S Air Force will also perform a fly-over at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The other Coors Light Ultimate Tailgate will come on Monday, November 17, when the Bills host the Cleveland Browns for Monday Night Football at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
