Head coach Chan Gailey eased off the gas pedal in the training camp setting Wednesday with the team's preseason opener fast approaching. The Bills sideline boss put his players through a walk through in the morning followed by a shortened practice in the evening in just shells and helmets as he tries to keep his players' bodies fresh for Friday night.
With almost two full weeks of camp in the books the team is ready for a change of pace.
"I think everybody in camp around this time we're right in the middle of the grind so I think guys are feeling it a little bit," said Aaron Maybin. "They're going to be excited and anxious about getting out there and hitting somebody with some other colored jerseys."
Moorman earning applauseThere have been a few instances where the Bills fans in attendance have voiced their approval or applauded certain plays during the camp practices thus far, but punter Brian Moorman was wholeheartedly appreciated by those on hand Wednesday night.
During the team's punt team drill, Moorman hit some moon shots with huge hang time that drew gasps from the crowd. Late in the segment a 70-yard effort sent the quarterbacks running for cover as his punt over shot where Leodis McKelvin was lined up to receive it at the 15-yard line.
The quarterbacks were conducting a fade pass drill and facing in the other direction before McKelvin warned them in time to scatter.
QB UpdateThroughout camp Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm have been splitting reps evenly with the second unit, but on Wednesday night Fitzpatrick was the only other quarterback to get reps besides Edwards, giving a strong indication that Fitzpatrick will be the second signal caller into the game Friday night when Edwards' night is over.
HighlightsDuring a shortened red zone period Trent Edwards looked sharp hitting Steve Johnson on a slant followed by a pair of completions to Lee Evans, one of which went for a touchdown on a crossing route. Edwards closed his series with a touchdown pass over the middle to Steve Johnson.
In 11-on-11 Roscoe Parrish made a twisting grab over the middle on a throw from Edwards for first down yardage and more.
Joique Bell squeezed through a closing hole in time to get to the second level and eventually the secondary on a run play a short time later.
In a shortened two minute drill segment Edwards had completions to Evans, David Nelson and Roscoe Parrish in succession.
And Ryan Fitzpatrick fired a bullet over the middle, which split two defenders, delivering a touchdown pass to Naaman Roosevelt in the second two minute series.
Defensively, Aaron Maybin had a batted pass.
Ashton Youboty broke up a pass that was intended for Roosevelt.
And Terrence McGee got a hand on a pass to the end zone that had Steve Johnson targeted.
In and outDemetrius Bell and Eric Wood both practiced, but only Bell saw time in the team segments in 11-on-11. Cordaro Howard spelled Wood with the first unit.
RT Cornell Green did not practice Wednesday and he along with Bell and Wood will not play in the preseason opener leaving Buffalo's offensive line with just two starters in Andy Levitre and Geoff Hangartner.
Paul Posluszny got some reps in the team segment early in practice, but there were only a few. He's not going to play in Friday's preseason game.
Ryan Manalac was absent and sustained an undisclosed injury according to coach Gailey. He too is out for the preseason opener.
Andre Ramsey also did not practice Wednesday. His status for the game Friday night is still to be determined.
Derek Schouman also did not practice. He's not expected to play in Washington.
ScheduleThe Bills have a closed walk through Thursday morning before leaving for Washington D.C. in the afternoon. Kickoff for Friday night's preseason opener is 7:30 pm.
