The hits were being delivered at the end of Saturday's practice at Bills training camp. Rookies and young vets participated in an 18-play scrimmage where tackling to the ground was permitted.
"It felt really good to let that out and cross that line a little bit," said safety John Wendling. "But it's still your own teammates, so we're looking forward to seeing someone different across the ball and being able to just go at it with them. So we're looking forward to the preseason."
The scrimmage was likely a good tune-up for some of the younger players that haven't received as many reps during the first eight days of camp.
"For us young guys that haven't been out there much it was good turn up the level a little bit and enjoy and have fun," Wendling said.
The highlights were somewhat limited with only 18 plays, but both safety Dustin Fox and linebacker Marcus Buggs delivered some good hits on tackles they made in the run game.
Steve Johnson almost made an outstanding leaping touchdown catch over Ashton Youboty, but Youboty was able to break up the play as the two players came back down to the turf.
Injury update
Angelo Crowell and James Hardy did not participate in practice. Crowell's knee and Hardy's hamstring are still not cooperating to the point where they can get back to full action.
Also not participating Saturday were J.P. Losman (thumb) and Will James (groin). Losman appeared to re-aggravate the thumb late in practice Friday and was held out.
Fullback Jonathan Evans left the practice field early with an undisclosed injury, but returned to the field a short time later.
Defensive end Copeland Bryan came out early as well and had an ice wrap on his right hamstring.
Getting reps
With Will James out Reggie Corner got reps in the slot with the first string nickel package. Leodis McKelvin also got some work in the slot with the second and third string.
Duke Preston rotated in at times with the first unit at center as he may have be helping to reduce veteran Melvin Fowler's workload.
With Copeland Bryan pulling out of practice early Jason Jefferson got more reps at defensive end in addition to his defensive tackle duties.
Highlights
During 7-on-7 John DiGiorgio made the defensive play of the day as he stepped in front of a Gibran Hamdan pass for his first interception of camp.
Lee Evans made a nice fingertip grab on a low throw from Trent Edwards near the sideline. He also pulled in a well-thrown ball from Edwards on a fade pass to the end zone for a touchdown.
Seventh-round pick Kennard Cox had a nice pass breakup during 7-on-7. Third-round pick Chris Ellis had a batted pass on Hamdan on a designed rollout. And Spencer Johnson had what would've been a forced fumble as he pulled up before slapping the ball out of Matt Baker's hand.
Justin Jenkins was able to score on a throw from Edwards although it appeared that Jenkins may have pushed off a little on Terrence McGee who was in coverage.
Perhaps the best executed play came during red zone work when Edwards effectively used a play action fake to get the defense to bite and quickly hit Derek Schouman over the middle for a touchdown.
Day off
The Bills have the day off Sunday and head coach Dick Jauron feels his team has earned it.
"It's great to give them a day off," said Jauron. "We love giving it to them, they deserve it and they're required to get it. All of those things combined make it a wonderful day to have off … they need the rest."
The Bills will be back on the practice field for a pads practice Monday afternoon at 2:15. It's expected that Buffalo's newest player, linebacker Donnie Spragan, who signed Saturday, will be on the field.
