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Bills break camp up to speed

Published:August 19, 2009, 10:33 PM

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Updated: August 21, 2010, 8:33 AM

PITTSFORD — The Bills had their final training camp session at St. John Fisher College

on Wednesday. As the team heads back to Orchard Park to continue preparing for the season,

here's a look at the top developments from camp so far:

1. Non-stop no-huddle

The next huddle the Bills have will be their first of 2009. Dick Jauron and Turk Schonert are

taking an aggressive approach with the offense and giving it a distinct identity. It certainly

gave the entire training camp a fast tempo. Trent Edwards generally looked sharp running the

show. Can the Bills run it efficiently? Will it strain the defense? Stay tuned.

2. T.O. mania

Fans flocked to St. John Fisher College for a glimpse of the Bills' new star, Terrell Owens.

For the first 16 days of Bills summer, he didn't disappoint. Owens looked very good catching

long balls from Edwards and running after the catch through the Bills' secondary. He was

cheered every time he walked onto the field. A section of the stands proclaimed itself T.O.'s

Tweets. Four hundred people turned up at a Tops Market near camp for the unveiling of "T.O.'s"

cereal. Hopefully there will be this much excitement in the regular season.

3. No major hurts

Let's face it: Preseason is not that important. Staying healthy is important. The Bills

weathered training camp without any serious injuries. The biggest was a sprained knee to

reserve cornerback Drayton Florence, which could keep him out the rest of preseason. Undrafted

linebacker Ashlee Palmer was making a strong bid for the roster but now is out with a high

ankle sprain.

4. No Maybin

The holdout of first-round draft pick Aaron Maybin is at 26 days.

Sweet summer home

The Bills played to their biggest crowds at St. John Fisher since 2000, the first year of camp

in suburban Rochester. Every night session played to a sellout of 4,000-plus in the stands.

There were good crowds for every single day session, which has not been the case in recent

years. Bringing camp to Monroe County is good for the Bills' business.

Poz steps up

Let's face it: You expect Lee Evans to look good in training camp. Marcus Stroud is going to

look like the most talented big body on the defensive line. But who looked like they might

step up among Bills starters? Linebacker Paul Posluszny had some interceptions, was fast in

pursuit sideline to sideline and looked very good against Tennessee.

The next pick would be guard Eric Wood, who stymied Stroud the first time he faced him one on

one. Wood looks like a blue, blue chipper.

Sub standouts

Who looked good among backups?

Ryan Fitzpatrick: After a slow first couple of days, the QB signed from

Cincinnati was sharp. He makes quick decisions and knows where to go with the ball.

Roscoe Parrish: Instant excitement. There's no substitute for speed on the

field, and Parrish zigged and zagged his way around training camp.

Reggie Corner: The second-year man from Akron still is holding onto the nickel

corner job amid tough competition.

Ellis Lankster: The West Virginia product has better mobility and size than you

would expect for a seventh-round pick. He looks to make plays.

Nic Harris: The fourth-round pick from Oklahoma has a grip on the No.2

strong-side linebacker job behind Keith Ellison. His long arms and wide shoulders give him a

rangy look.

All-Potential

Two players who showed flashes of catching on were tackle Demetrius Bell and tight end Shawn

Nelson. Bell seemed to get a bit better in one-on-one drills as camp wore on. Nelson still has

a long way to go. He had one practice early in camp with about five drops. But he came back

and caught it better and looked good on the red-zone TD against Chicago. Nelson is feisty in

one-on-one blocking drills but he's not as technique-sound yet as Derek Fine.

Worry spots

Can the offensive line get it together? Is it asking too much for five guys all

starting in new spots to start fast?

Is there enough pass rush? The longer Maybin holds out, the less he's likely to

produce.

The linebacker depth is awfully young. Should the Bills have signed someone more

experienced?

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