Seahawks Lineman Out for Opener?

The Seahhawks are expected to be without receivers Bobby Engram and Deion Branch for the season opener against the Bills. Today, word comes that they may also be without starting right tackle Sean Locklear. He's got a sprained knee. Coach Mike Holmgren says Locklear is out 2 weeks, and could miss the opener on September 7th. He's hopeful, but says its a close call. Locklear was hurt in this weekend's preseason game against Chicago.
As I said when news of the receiver injuries hit, maybe the injury gods have moved on from Buffalo and taken up residence in the Northwest.

Taking Nothing for Granted

So much of training camp reporting deals with rookies, and the new free agents on the roster. You can sometimes overlook the work that experienced, veteran starters put in, just to keep their jobs and excel.
For example, today I watched both starting cornerbacks, Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer,work after practice for about 30-minutes. They ran through conditioning drills and technique exercises long after their teammates ended the 2-hour afternoon workout.
I asked McGee about it later on. Keep in mind, he's solidly entrenched as the starting CB, and he's been to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. Terrence said he and Greer started this practice last year during the season, working two or three days a week after practice, just tuning up and keeping focused on their jobs.
It's impressive, to say the least. I think it's that kind of work ethic that separates veterans who excel in the NFL from those just hanging on to their jobs. It's important to keep an eye on those veterans at camp, along with the rookies and new faces.

A Lot to Choose From at WR

Now that Josh Reed is back practicing, it struck me watching practice today what a diverse group of wide receivers the Bills have in camp. It's a good thing--a mix of targets for Trent Edwards with various skills and sizes.
Think about it--you've got Lee Evans, the all-around guy with speed, route running ability, and good hands. You've got Josh Reed the ultimate possession receiver and strong blocker for the running game. Add in James Hardy, the big red-zone target who's probably going to be used as a situational WR this year. And, of course, Roscoe Parrish, the waterbug wideout who cannot be stopped in the open field. The top four receivers provide a mixture of size and skill that Trent Edwards says is critical. Edwards told me today he gets a chance to put Hardy and Evans outside, work Roscoe and Reed inside, and then split Marshawn Lynch or Fred Jackson out wide, to cause matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Turf Wars

Hello, pot. This is the kettle. You're black. That's what I thought of when I heard the Steelers complaining about the turf in the Rogers Centre. The same Steelers who's grass at Heinz Field is just about the worst in the NFL. Remember the Monday Night game played in the mud bog against the Dolphins? Remember the team's decision to NOT replace that cow pasture with a synthetic surface like Fieldturf? It'll be grass again this season. Can't wait for those November games when Ben Roethlisberger will have to be listed 2 inches shorter because his feet have sunk in to the mud.
Granted, the turf in the Rogers Centre is unlike any other in the NFL. Because they play baseball on it, its a much lower blade of synthetic grass. Because it gets removed, it was a bit matted down and there were more seams than a normal NFL field. But no one appeared to trip, stumble or was injured during the preseason game. It actually might make the players faster, because its easier to cut on.
But Roethlisberger and Leftwich should have kept quiet. After all, its the Dolphins problem now.

Position Switch for Corto

It's worth keeping an eye on, in the last few days of training camp. Free agent Jon Corto has been moved to outside linebacker from strong safety, a position switch that occured in the middle of last week.
Corto was impressive last Thursday at his new/old position. He played linebacker in college, at Sacred Heart. With injuries to the LB corps, the Bills felt the need to move Corto back to OLB for awhile. He seemed to thrive at the position, making several tackles on defense. He also got a look at the gunner spot on punt team. In all, Corto looks to be filling the shoes of Coy Wire who was not re-signed by the Bills, and it just could be his ticket onto the roster.
The Orchard Park native told me he feels much more comfortable at LB, and he thinks he can make more plays from that spot. It will be interesting to see if the Bills keep him there through the rest of the preseason, and to see if can mount a challenge for a roster spot.
Corto is our guest tonight at 6:45pm on News 4 at Six, live from Training Camp.

Hamdan's Role

The typical job description for a third string quarterback in the NFL? Hold a clipboard on the sidelines, take a few snaps at the end of practice, and don't cause any problems. The Bills Gibran Hamdan does all of that, and he does it with good humor and perspective.
But Hamdan also provides a key role as Trent Edwards primary counselor and sounding board. Edwards freely admits that he counts on Hamdan as an extra set of eyes during practice and games, and a source of information during QB meetings. Even though Hamdan only has two more years of experience than Edwards, he has experience in different offensive systems and with different coaches and teammates. It's clear that Edwards leans on Hamdan for advice and support, even though Hamdan tries to downplay how much he helps the starting QB.
Hamdan has an interesting life story, growing up in California, moving to Kuwait at an early age, and watching his family victimized by some of the violence and upheaval in that turbulent part of the world.
He adds a lot to the Bills mix at quarterback, and the coaching staff considers him an important piece of the puzzle.

Reinforcements for Offensive Tackle?

Matt Murphy is hurt, so is Patrick Estes, and Jason Peters is nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, the Bills have a serious depth problem at Offensive Tackle. Murphy has a shoulder injury, and we saw him walking around camp today with his arm in a sling. Dick Jauron had very little in the way of an update on Murphy's injury, or how long he might be out. Patrick Estes, the free agent from Virginia, was on the sidelines with his left leg wrapped up, and there's no word on how much time he might miss. And, of course, Jason Peters is still holding out.
Dick Jauron seemed to indicate today that it would be nearly impossible to bring in a backup tackle to help in this Thursday's game in Toronto. But late in the day, we spotted Bills personnel officials putting a potential roster candidate through a workout, so stay tuned.

Spikes Signs with Niners

Former Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes (picture-right-2006) has signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Spikes has been without a team since being released by the Eagles. That means he'll return to Buffalo for the Niners visit on November 30. Spikes will step right into the lineup and start at inside linebacker, next to last year's outstanding rookie Patrick Willis. Takeo had a good, but unspectacular season last year in Philly. He's a savy vet, a good team leader and a smart player. But since he injured his Achilles tendon in Buffalo in 2005, he has never again been the same active, fast, dominating linebacker he once was.

Seahawks Wideout Will Miss Bills Game

Seattle Seahawks leading receiver Bobby Engram (picture-right) has a broken bone in his shoulder. He will miss 6-8 weeks, and that includes the season opener against the Bills on September 7. Engram is coming off a 94 catch season. He isn't the only Seattle wideout with injury problems. Deion Branch still hasn't practiced this season. He's on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury. The team is hoping to have him back for the Bills game, but its not certain. That could leave the Seahawks with only one regular receiver, Nate Burleson. That should severely hinder Seattle's passing game, a big advantage for the Bills. Maybe the injury gods that struck down on the Bills last year, have moved on to another NFL city.

Favre Trade Shakes Up AFC East

The Jets trade for Brett Favre shakes up the AFC East. The Jets figured to be

better than last year's 4-12 record. They spent $140 million on free agents, but still had a question at quarterback. The don't have as big a question now. I don't
agree with the immediate reaction that the Jets are a playoff team. That means the Jets will be 6 wins better. Not likely. They still have too many questions, and some of them related to Favre. Can he still do it at 39 years old? I know he did last year, but when you hit that age, each year is an unknown. The Jets are not strong at receiver. Their line is better with Alan Faneca, but not great. How quickly will Favre get comfortable in offense?
But now matter how many they win, the trade effects the Bills because the Jets ARE better. That means beating them twice like last year won't be as easy. I still think the Bills are the 2nd best AFC East team, but the gap isn't as wide as it was on Wednesday. Maybe it helps the Bills obecause hopefully Favre can figure out a way to knock off the Patriots.
Bottom line, Favre is an upgrade over Pennington/Clemens, and anything that makes a divisional opponent better is a concern for the Bills.

Youboty Steps Up

There may not be a veteran more "on the bubble" than 3rd year cornerback Ashton Youboty. This week, he's steppping up to the challenge. He's had interceptions on each of the last two practice days, along with a few nice defensive plays. Youboty still faces an uphill challenge, with 5 other cornerbacks currently ahead of him on the depth chart. It probably wasn't a good sign that the Bills drafted 3 corners and also signed veteran Will James this offseason. I asked Youboty about that challenge, and he completely downplayed any concerns about his future. He said the coaches know who can play, and that he won't worry about things he can't control. A former 3rd round pick from Ohio State, Youboty's rookie season was basically wiped out when his mother's death caused him to miss almost all of training camp. Last year, he started a few games when Jason Webster was hurt. Then, he was hurt and Jabari Greer took his spot for good. Greer continues to start, first round pick Leodis McKelvin looks good and 4th rounder Reggie Corner is the surprise rookie of camp. So the challenge remains a big one for Youboty, but he's making any decisions tough ones for the coaches.
(photo courtesy Buffalo Bills)

Unexpected Position Battle

I think most Bills fans expected that Robert Royal would be the Bills starting tight end, despite offseason knee surgery. But since training camp has started, Royal's in a battle for his job with 2nd year man Derek Schoumann. He used the offseason to get Royal's reps, impress the coaches and develop a rhythm with Trent Edwards. On the first two-deep of the season, Schoumann and Royal are listed as co-starters.

While Schoumann brings more speed and more receiving ability, Royal is a veteran and a much better blocker. Maybe the coaches wanted the veteran pushed, or maybe they're just waiting to Royal to regain his regular season form. But the battle bears watching through the preseason. Edwards likes to throw to the tight end. Last year, Royal and Michael Gaines caught 50 passes, the most by Bills tight ends in over 10 years. His quick-passing style cries out for a valuable weapon at the position.

The position battle my be decided by...Jason Peters. If he continues his holdout, the Bills will need blocking help from the tight end. That suits Royal. If he comes back and the tight ends aren't required to stay in a block as much, then Schoumann may have the advantage. We'll keep watching this unexpected position battle.

Spragan On the Field

The Bills new linebacker, Donnie Spragan, was on the field with his teammates for the first time this morning. The club signed Spragan early Saturday, after rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen left camp with a severe knee injury.
Spragan got in some extra work with the linebacking corps and his position coach Matt Sheldon after this morning's walk-through. He looks fit and ready to go. Spragan says he's been working out and lifting weights at his home in Oakland, but this is the first football work he's done since last year.
Spragan could be a good pick up for the Bills. He's an experienced hand, and he knows his way around the AFC East. Look for him to contribute on special teams right away and provide valuable backup depth at linebacker.
We'll hear more from Spragan tonight on News 4 at 5pm and 6pm. At 5, we also pose four (more like 5-or 6) questions to Bills Quarterbacks Coach Alex Van Pelt. And at 6, we go one on one with Bills guard Derrick Dockery.

Stroud's Revenge

I had a chance to talk to Marcus Stroud the other day. He's a personable, fun-loving guy and a good interview. But as hard as I tried, I couldn't get him to bite on the question of his inspiration for this season. The Jaguars basically wrote him off when they traded him to the Bills. They said he was done, and he would never return to his Pro Bowl form. I asked Marcus if that inspired him, and he just said he's happy to be where he's wanted. I asked him about the Jaguars, and he repeated the same answer. He did it with a smile, which tells me he's keeping his real motivation quiet. I can't wait to see him play in week 2 against his old team. I think we'll know all about his motivation in that game.

Through the first week of camp, Stroud looks great. He's big, athletic, active and making the kid of plays you don't often notice from a defensive tackle. If you attend any training camp practices, I suggest you keep your eyes on number 99.

Rookie LB Out for Season

Rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen is out for the season, suffering the first serious injury of Bills Training Camp. Bowen was coming up to tackle fullback Jonathan Evans, after he caught a swing pass from J.P. Losman. As Evans cut back toward the middle of the field, Bowen cut with him and had his knee buckle. He went down in obvious pain, and was quickly met by the trainers and team doctors. He was carted off the field, and will likely face surgery in the next few days. Dick Jauron confirmed that the injury is severe.