The billboard: A daily dose from Bills training camp
Famous dad
Jonathan Evans, No. 2 on the Bills’ fullback depth chart, is the son of a famous evangelist. His father, Dr. Tony Evans, is pastor of Dallas’ Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, a church of about 7,500 members. Dr. Evans also is founder of the Urban Alternative, a national organization that seeks to bring about spiritual renewal in urban America through the church. The Urban Alternative radio broadcast, “the Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans,” can be heard on more than 500 radio stations daily in the United States and in more than 40 countries.
Dr. Evans used to be the team chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys during coach Tom Landry’s tenure, and he has been the chaplain of the Dallas Mavericks since their founding.
“We have season tickets to the Mavericks; that’s a nice little perk,” Jonathan said. “I was a ball boy for the Mavericks when I was 15.”
Not surprisingly, Jonathan Evans has a strong Christian faith. His favorite scripture?
“First Corinthians 15:58,” Jonathan said. “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your hard work won’t go in vain.”
Throwback days
The Bills sported their throwback 1960s era helmets during the first night practice of camp. The Bills will wear their throwbacks for the home games against Oakland on Sept. 21 and San Francisco on Nov. 30. The throwbacks have not been great luck for the Bills since they broke them out in 2005. The Bills are 1-5 in the popular duds.
Night highlights
Best moment from Tuesday’s first night practice: Marcus Stroud knocked Brad Butler flat on his back during the first one-on-one pass blocking drill. (It’s more important to the Bills that Stroud be great than Butler.) To Butler’s credit, he came back and blocked Stroud to a draw on the next snap. Langston Walker continues to show sound technique in pass blocking. Copeland Bryan beat tight end Courtney Anderson twice. Tackle Matt Murphy did well. ... In 11-on-11 drills, Marshawn Lynch had three good runs in the first four plays of the run-game portion. However, the defense got the better of the offense overall. Kyle Williams got into the backfield on a blitz to flush Trent Edwards. Williams also stuffed Lynch a couple plays later. Paul Posluszny was in the backfield
to stuff another run. ... Stevie Johnson beat Kennard Cox
down the sideline for a red-zone TD throw from Matt
Baker. ... J. P. Losman sat out due to a jammed
thumb. So did Angelo Crowell (sore knee) and Ko Simpson (sore ankle). Coach Dick Jauron said the rookies are likely to scrimmage Saturday.
Directions
From Buffalo take the Thruway to Exit 47. Take
Route 490 East for 25 miles to Exit 25 (Fairport Road -31F). Turn right. The
shuttle bus lot at East Rochester High School
is about a mile down the road. Shuttles
run continuously before and
after practice. There is no public parking on campus.
Schedule
The Bills practice from 1 to 3:05 p. m. today, 7 to 9:05 p. m. Thursday, 2:15 to 4:20 p. m. Friday and 10:10 a. m. to 12:20 p. m. Saturday. No tickets are left for Thursday, either. The team is off Sunday.
Tickets for the night practice Aug. 17 are available starting at 9 a. m. Friday at participating Wilson Farms outlets. In Buffalo, those outlets are 1100 Southwestern Blvd., West Seneca; 1490 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore; and 5589 Transit Road, Amherst.
Toronto promo
Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly and Steelers great Jerome Bettis will appear at a party in Toronto to promote the preseason game between the Bills and Steelers. The event is 4 to 10 p. m. Aug. 13 at Yonge-Dundas Square. The Canadian band Hedley will perform, and the team is scheduled to make an appearance, too.
Quote of the Day
“There’s no patience in the league anymore to wait and develop a guy.” — Coach Dick Jauron
— Compiled by Mark Gaughan
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