Aaron Maybin's introduction to the NFL included a phantom sack on his first play of practice, dropping back in pass coverage and carrying Marcus Stroud's helmet and shoulder pads back to the locker room after practice.

Welcome to the league, rook.

But Maybin didn't seem to mind any of it, not even carrying someone else's gear after a hot

day of practice.

"It was good to finally get back on the field and be with the guys again," he said.

Maybin participated in his first practice with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, three days

after finally agreeing on a five-year deal worth a maximum of $25 million with more than $14

million guaranteed, according to NFL sources. He was the Bills' longest rookie holdout since

Henry Jones in 1991 — missing a total of 27 days of training camp — and that was

27 days too long as far as Maybin is concerned.

The rookie out of Penn State was pleased just to throw on the pads and compete after a long

absence.

"That's always been what I love about the game and it's always going to be what I love

about the game," said Maybin. "Obviously I missed the guys, missed the team and missed the

coaching staff. Now that I'm back I'm definitely trying to make the most of it."

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Maybin needed to come to training camp to learn the system, but

obviously not for work on conditioning. He looked quick and energetic, showing off the pass-

rushing skills that made him a first-round pick to begin with. Midway through practice he

rolled up the bottom of his jersey to show off his nearly flawless abs.

"I did a pretty good job of keeping myself in shape while everybody was in camp but

obviously when you've got all this added weight on you it's a little bit more difficult," said

Maybin, who played at 236 pounds last season at Penn State. "But it felt great. I had a pretty

good day today. Coaching staff, we're going to sit down a little bit later on and evaluate

things so we can get a more accurate assessment of where I'm at, but I feel good for the first

day."

There may be a reason for Maybin's boundless energy.

"He hasn't exerted a lot of energy here for us for a while," Bills coach Dick Jauron said

with a smirk, "so I guess he had it stored up."

While he was able to work out during his holdout Maybin realizes it was nothing like the

intensity of NFL training camp.

"I know I've got a lot of catching up to do still, still trying to catch up as far as the

playbook goes, but for where I'm at right now, I think that I'm making pretty good progress,"

he said.

Maybin ran with the second team at defensive end and on his first play in 11-on-11 drills

he immediately rushed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for a sack. Later Maybin dropped into pass

coverage and went stride for stride with rookie tight end Shawn Nelson but Fitzpatrick managed

to whistle the pass by Maybin. Barely.

"Yeah, they had me dropping a few times," Maybin said. "Shawn was still able to haul that

pass in. I'm sure he's going to be talking about that for the rest of the day, but it's all

good. I'm really excited about some of the things that they're trying to do with me. I think

it's going to be a really, really good opportunity for me."

After practice Maybin did some more individual drills before greeting the media. Then he

carried Stroud's No. 99 jersey, pads and helmet through the tunnel out of Ralph Wilson Stadium

and into the locker room.

"He said he's been waiting all training camp for that, so it's all good," Maybin said. "You

take your licks for being the rookie and that's fine. I don't have any problems with all of

that."