Everyone is trying to get a handle on just who might have the edge in Buffalo's quarterback competition, but with just one minicamp practice remaining there is little indication of any leanings on the part of the coaching staff.
The rotation at the position continues. A day after Ryan Fitzpatrick was the first quarterback through in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, Fitzpatrick was third in the rotation. The signal callers don't know where they stand yet, but knowing a depth chart will be put in place come training camp getting answers before they leave after the final practice Friday is of interest to them.
"We haven't talked about the pecking order in terms of what it's going to be yet," said Fitzpatrick. "I'm sure before I leave here I'll have a conversation with Chan just to kind of know his thoughts on how everything went, this offseason so far and the things I need to improve on going into camp."
Leading the quarterback rotation on Thursday was Brian Brohm, who was followed by Trent Edwards and then Fitzpatrick in 11-on-11 work in the shorter morning session.
In the afternoon Trent Edwards was the first man in the rotation in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. He was followed by Fitzpatrick in 7-on-7 and then Brohm in 11-on-11. Again Brown had just a few snaps in the team setting.
Fitzpatrick, who ran a good two minute drill on Wednesday, is pleased with the progress he's made in Chan Gailey's offense.
"I've just become much more comfortable," he said. "(I'm) sharper in terms of knowing where I'm going to go with the ball, putting the ball downfield a little bit more. Just the confidence in the huddle with the play calling, I think that's a big thing, especially with the new offense."
More praise for receiving corpsLast week Trent Edwards had some high praise for the team's young receiving corps saying it was the best young group of wideouts he's ever seen. On Thursday Fitzpatrick echoed those sentiments.
"The receivers have been real sharp this offseason," said Fitzpatrick. "I think that's been a big positive. People have a lot of questions from outside the organization saying, 'We have Lee Evans and who else?' Roscoe has really shown up this offseason. Steve Johnson has been a guy that's played great. James is really starting to come along and get more confident. And the four young guys we've brought in, you're going to see in the preseason those guys are going to make some plays. All four of them bring different things to the table and they're all very talented."
Fitzpatrick is referring to fourth-round pick Marcus Easley and rookie free agents Donald Jones, David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt. All of them have made plays through the course of the spring and all have been given their fair share of snaps during the team segments.
Steve Johnson, who continues to see a bulk of the work opposite Lee Evans, believes the receiving corps has come along through the spring sessions and is glad the quarterbacks like what they're getting from them.
"I think we've been good wideouts as far as being playmakers for our quarterbacks and being versatile in our offense," said Johnson. "I continue to say this versatility thing because that's how this offense is. Just hearing (the quarterbacks) say that it's like knowing he has the confidence in us, and I said this last year, as long as we've got the confidence from the quarterbacks we can do what we want to. Just keep on connecting each day at practice."
Johnson had a strong day himself in the passing game Thursday. He led off the 11-on-11 segment with an impressive one-handed catch along the far sideline that was good for a 40-yard hookup with Brian Brohm.
"It's all opportunity," said Johnson. "I'm getting an opportunity to play on the outside and on the inside and I just want to show the coaches I can do both. Whenever goes down on the inside I can go there if somebody goes down on the outside I can be there. Just show my versatility in this offense."
The third-year wideout got behind his defender a few more times and was open for some more big plays, but the quarterbacks couldn't connect.
In and outWith some players still being paced coming off of offseason surgery, there were some players that did not participate in the morning session. Jairus Byrd, Terrence McGee and Eric Wood were all spectators for the a.m. practice. Byrd and Wood returned to participate in the afternoon.
Keith Ellison, Nic Harris, Joe Klopfenstein and Ed Wang are still working their way back to the field. And new non participants Thursday were offensive tackle Jamon Meredith, Derek Schouman and Ashton Youboty.
With Meredith out along with Demetrius Bell, who hasn't been cleared to practice, and Ed Wang the offensive tackle situation was a bit jumbled in the morning.
Veteran Kirk Chambers played left tackle with the first unit opposite Cornell Green. The second unit featured Nick Hennessey at left tackle with seventh-round pick Kyle Calloway at right. Rookie free agent Cordaro Howard got most of the first team reps at right guard in place of Wood, with Chambers manning left tackle.
In the afternoon Nick Hennessey got first team reps at left tackle with rookie Cordaro Howard working on the blind side with the second unit.
Reggie Torbor had the afternoon practice session off so Chris Ellis was mixed in for first team reps at outside linebacker with Aaron Maybin.
HighlightsIn the morning session it was all offense. After Johnson's long one-handed pass reception set the tone more plays followed.
Felton Huggins made a tumbling catch on a crossing route for a 15-yard pickup from Brian Brohm.
Lee Evans pulled in a well thrown ball on the far sideline from Trent Edwards.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Donald Jones combined to beat double coverage for a 25-yard pass play.
Marcus Easley got by his defender coming across the field and immediately turned north-south to the end zone for a 'would be' touchdown on a throw from Fitzpatrick.
Naaman Roosevelt showed good run after the catch as he took a pass in the flat and turned it up field for first down yardage.
And Shawn Nelson made a sliding catch over the middle from Levi Brown for a 20-yard gain.
In the afternoon David Nelson pulled in a touchdown pass from Trent Edwards.
Marcus Easley had a strong hand catch for a touchdown despite good coverage from Lydell Sargeant in 7-on-7 red zone work.
Brian Brohm hit Shawn Nelson for a touchdown as well.
Defensively, rookie cornerback John Destin broke up a pass at the goal line that was intended for Shawn Nelson.
And Ellis Lankster had an interception on a pass that was intended for Donald Jones in 11-on-11.
ScheduleThe Bills close out their spring practice schedule Friday morning with their last minicamp workout scheduled for 10:55 am.
