The start of this week's OTAs went a lot smoother for Buffalo's offense than they did seven days ago. The Bills attack was executing well for the most part as Trent Edwards and the first unit consistently made plays during the team work session and no huddle.
"I think we've made a lot of good offensive plays the past couple of practices," said Edwards. "We've installed some plays that we had never run before and now that we're running them and seeing a lot of different looks you have more confidence when you run them over and over again. I feel like now I'm kind of getting into the rhythm and the receivers are getting into the rhythm. You're kind of getting on the same page and that's why you're going to see this offense make plays hopefully."
Josh Reed made some nice plays early in the practice setting with a grab deep over the middle, which was later followed by a leaping catch where he fully extended to pull the ball in on his way to the sideline.
Justin Jenkins turned in some plays in the second half of the workout with three receptions during the no huddle portion of practice including a touchdown reception.
Derek Schouman, who has been getting consistent first team reps with Robert Royal not participating, also factored into the passing game more Tuesday, particularly in the red zone. The second-year tight end made one high reaching reception off of play action from Edwards. He also had another catch in the flat that he turned upfield and likely would have scored on under live football conditions.
Also turning in some good looking plays in the passing game were young wideouts Felton Huggins and Scott Mayle. Mayle arguably had his best day this spring, which he started with an over the shoulder catch deep down the far sideline on a throw from J.P. Losman. Mayle had four other receptions on the day including a sliding catch along the sideline near the end of the workout.
"I definitely feel good about the amount of looks I'm getting a lot of work with the one and two quarterbacks right now," said Mayle. "It feels good to get good reps with them."
Both Mayle and Huggins were the beneficiaries of a lot of first team reps Tuesday with Lee Evans not participating in work and Roscoe Parrish absent.
"I think Scott is one of the fastest receivers on our team along with Roscoe and Lee," said Edwards. "Scott's a guy that can run a variety of different routes from a variety of different splits for us and he's only going to get better from here on out."
Other offensive highlights included some good cutting by Lynch. On one particular run Lynch was given a huge cutback lane as the offensive line effectively cleared a path for him.
James Hardy also made a nice decision on what looked like an option route as he made a catch over the middle to get past Reggie Corner. And rookie free agent Jason Jones had a touchdown catch on a quick slant in the red zone.
Defensive highlights
There wasn't the normal amount of defensive bright spots as there have been, but linebacker Blake Costanzo came up with his first interception after Ashton Youboty couldn't quite pull the ball in as he made the pass breakup.
Paul Posluszny had a pass breakup on a route over the middle, and Ko Simpson had one in the end zone to foil a potential scoring play. John McCargo quickly penetrated into the backfield to blow up a run play, and Copeland Bryan had a 'would-be' sack on Losman.
Call ups
Derek Fine got a few first team reps here and there in place of Courtney Anderson, who got his share of reps as well.
With Evans and Parrish not in attendance Mayle and Jenkins saw a lot of work with Reed at wideout. Stevie Johnson was also mixed in at times.
Back in the fold
Returning to practice Tuesday was Angelo Crowell, who got married over the weekend. When asked about his very short honeymoon Crowell was all business.
"We've got some work to do here," he said. "I can't be missing this stuff."
Fellow linebacker Kawika Mitchell was also back after missing last Thursday's practice to be presented with his Super Bowl ring in New York.
Not in attendance
Not present for Tuesday's workout were Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Jason Peters and Aaron Schobel.
Not participating Tuesday were Melvin Fowler, Spencer Johnson, Tim Massaquoi and Robert Royal.
