Die Hard Bills Fan

Hello Bills fans.  Today the team started its 2008 training camp.  The guys looked sharp but the most important piece of the offense was not in attendance.  Left tackle Jason Peters was a no-show which does not come as a suprise.  I was hoping that he would make it to camp but he is most likely holding out for more money.  Coach Dick Jauron said that they would love to have him there but will move on.  Backup tackle Kirk Chambers is filling in at left tackle.  I hope this Peters situation gets resolved in the next few days. 

On another note, Lee Evans said that he is hopeful that a contract extension will be reached this summer.  He stated that talks have heated up and are moving in the right direction.  Bills COO Russ Brandon calls Lee one of the core players and wants to keep him in Buffalo long term.  Lets hope this deal gets done before the season starts.  Check out the article on Evans.  

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Hello Bills fans.  I can’t believe training camp starts in 10 days.  I am very excited to get this season underway because of the improvements the team has made this past off-season.  I have a few concerns right now going into camp.  The Bills top three draft picks are still unsigned.  Leodis McKelvin, James Hardy and Chris Ellis need to be in camp on day one.  McKelvin and Hardy especially because both players are going to be relied upon from week one.  Hardy needs to get comfortable in this offense because he will eventually become our #2 receiver.  I feel comfortable with our starting corners and would like to see McKelvin learn from Jabari Greer and Terrence McGee.  McKelvin should also be used on special teams as a returner.  He has great speed and showed in college that he is a threat to take one to the house on every return.  Its tough to say if he will beat out McGee or Roscoe Parrish but it will be great to see him get some shots in the preseason.  The only other main concern I have, which probably is the biggest, is the Jason Peters situation.  Peters missed all the voluntary and one mandatory camp this offseason.  It has been speculated that he is looking to cash in after his Pro Bowl season last year.  Peters also must be there from day one to continue the chemistry the o-line developed last season.  Lets hope all the rookies and Jason Peters are at St. John Fisher come July 25th.  Cant wait to get this thing started.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team announced that it has come to terms with seventh round draft pick  offensive tackle Demetrius Bell.  Bell is a developmental prospect said to have great hands and feet to play tackle in the NFL.  Bell is currently the fourth tackle on the roster.  The Bills will be able to bring him along slowly and have him learn from Jason Peters and Langston Walker.  The team also announced today that they have released fullback Mike Viti from Army.  Viti was third on the depth chart at fullback.  I really wanted him to make the team because I watched him play in college.  He was a great blocker and leader for Army Football.  It looks like the fullback job is between veterans Jonathan Evans and Darian Barnes.  I think Barnes has the edge to win the job due to more experience.  Check out the article on buffalobills.com.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Pete Prisco of cbssports.com published his top 50 players in the nfl today.  Jason Peters was the only Buffalo Bills player on the list.  Prisco ranked Peters #27 and states that he is a young rising player that has a mean streak.  After making the Pro Bowl last season, many around the league have taken notice to Peters.  He is turning into a dominant left tackle that should be anchoring the Bills line for the next 10 years.  Peters needs to be paid right now and the team will make sure he is happy come training camp. 

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Hello Bills fans.  The team announced that they have come to terms with fourth round pick Derek Fine.  Fine will compete for a backup spot at the tight end position.  He is an experienced special teams player and will contribute in that phase right away.  He isn’t the biggest guy but set records at Kansas for most receptions for a tight end.  I liked when the Bills picked Fine and feel he will contribute right away. 

Shortly after the signing of Fine was announced, the team reach a contract extension with starting right guard Brad Butler.  Butler still had two years left on his rookie deal but showed last season that he can be a full-time starter on the offensive line.  The team did not release details of the contract but Im sure Butler will be getting a raise.  He started all 16 games last season after winning the position battle in training camp.  Butler showed me a lot last season.  He formed a strong tandem with right tackle Langston Walker.  If the Bills can sign Jason Peters to a long term deal, we will have four out of the five starters on the o-line locked up for a long time.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  As training camp approaches for the 2008 season, the Bills have two players that they need to sign to long term extensions.  Wide receiver Lee Evans is entering the final year of his five year rookie contract.  Evans has produced in his first four years with the team.  His best season came in 2006 when he caught 82 balls for over 1,200 yards.  Lee is the number one receiver on this team and should be given a big deal before the season starts.  It has been reported that Evans and the Bills are in talks but a deal like this takes some time to finalize.  Evans has expressed his desire to stay with the team.  He should have a monster year this season.  His numbers suffered last year because of the switch to rookie quarterback Trent Edwards.  It takes time for a receiver and quarterback to get comfortable with each other and this is the year that Evans breaks out.  After he signs his new deal, look for Lee to make the Pro Bowl this season. 

Another player that concerns me right now is Jason Peters.  Peters missed all of the OTA’s and the mandatory mini-camp.  At first, I thought it was only because he was still recovering from the sports hernia injury he suffered last season.  As practices rolled on, it was speculated that Peters is looking to be paid like a premier left tackle in the NFL should be.  I can’t see the Bills playing hardball with Peters.  I know they just signed him to an extension back in 2006 but they have to realize that he will become one of the best left tackles in the game.  Peters was recognized last year by the league in being nominated for the Pro Bowl.  Peters will be given an extension before training camp.  He is the best offensive lineman we have and should be paid like that.  The Bills have the money under the cap to sign both Peters and Lee Evans to multi-year extensions.  Lets get these two superstars signed and kept in Bills uniforms for their entire careers.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team wrapped up its mandatory mini-camp as Coach Dick Jauron canceled tomorrows practice.  Coach was asked why he canceled the last practice and his response was that he wanted to reward his players for their work so far this offseason.  Jason Peters was not in attendance and Coach Jauron anticipates that he will be at St. Johns Fisher College when the team starts training camp on July 25th.  Lee Evans did not practice today because he was sick.  I cant believe training camp is only six weeks away.  I hope the Peters situation gets resolved by then so when can build on the success our line had last season.  I watched the highlights video on buffalobills.com and it looks like the defense is going to be a powerhouse.  Our secondary has been outstanding during the OTA’s and in the minicamp the past few days.  Our offense had its share of good plays and it looks like Derek Schouman will challenge Robert Royal for the starting tight end position.  Schouman has been taking first team reps with Royal sidelined.  Schouman has shined making some nice catches.  Paul Posluszny also has made a ton of plays and looks to be 100% healthy.  He is going to be a star and I could see him making the Pro Bowl in the near future.  Go Bills.

Fourth round pick defensive back Reggie Corner signed with the team today.  Chris Brown of buffalobills.com interviewed Corner after he signed his contract.  Corner seems like an intelligent player and was running with the first team at times.  Corner will challenge Will James, Ashton Youboty and 7th round pick Kennard Cox for playing time.  This is the first time since the days of Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements that I can say this team is stacked at cornerback.  Its going to be a tough call for the coaches on who to keep on the roster.  The definites are Terrence McGee, first round pick Leodis McKelvin, Jabari Greer and Will James.  There is going to be a serious battle in training camp come July 25th.  I cant wait for September.  Go Bills.   

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Hello Bills fans.  Today was the first mandatory minicamp at One Bills Drive.  The most notable absentee was starting left tackle Jason Peters.  Coach Dick Jauron commented on the situation and basically said that he thought Peters would be at practice.  He also stated that Peters will be fined for missing the mandatory session.  I hope this situation gets resolved shortly because we need Peters especially at training camp in July.  He is by far the best offensive lineman on the team and is a vital part in our offense.  I feel this will get resolved asap and the Bills will come to a new contract extension locking up Peters for a long time.  He showed last year that he can be a Pro Bowl left tackle year in and year out.  Look for this to be settled come training camp in July.

Besides the whole Jason Peters saga, the defense dominated today in practice.  The secondary was the story of the day with great coverage on receivers.  Terrence McGee had a big day with an interception.  Check out Chris Brown’s report on buffalobills.com.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Tomorrow starts the first mandatory minicamp at One Bills Drive.  The last couple of weeks were voluntary and almost the entire roster was in attendance.  The only player to not make an appearance was starting left tackle Jason Peters.  It will be interesting to see if he shows up tomorrow.  If he doesnt, the rumors are true that he is unhappy with his contract situation.  Peters has three years left on his deal but his the teams third highest paid lineman.  He was elected to the Pro Bowl last year and is viewed by many as one of the best tackles in the game.  We need Peters here from the start of camp.  He is a tremendous blocker and is counted on to protect Trent Edwards blindside.  I hope the Bills can make Peters happy so we dont have to go into training camp with a distraction. 

Today was the last day of OTA’s and the offense shined.  Trent Edwards is starting to show why he was named the starting quarterback.  He has great chemistry with Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish and Derek Schouman.  Look for Schouman to get a ton of playing time this season.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  The Bills were back on the field today at One Bills drive.  The offense is starting to come together after some struggles last week.  Trent Edwards is becoming more comfortable in offensive coordinator Turk Schonert’s offense.  Scott Mayle, Felton Huggins and Josh Reed all had good days catching the ball.  Marshawn Lynch was practicing but declined to comment about the recent hit and run with a vehicle that is registered in his name.  Its good to see most of the players in attendance.  Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Aaron Schobel and Jason Peters were not present.  I hope Peters makes the mandatory camp on June 11th.  He is a big part of this team and we need him out there to help us win.  Check out Chris Brown’s notes on buffalobills.com.  Go Bills. 

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