The billboard: A daily dose from Bills training camp
We’re Number One
Bills players love bragging about where they went to school. That’s especially true for guys who played at Ohio State and LSU, both of whom always seem to contend for national championships.
Well, the early bragging rights go to defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, whose alma mater, Georgia, sits atop the Associated Press and USA Today/ Coaches’ preseason top 25 polls. Those are two of many media outlets picking the Bulldogs to win it all.
“We’re going all the way this year. Hopefully,” Stroud said. “They ended last season on a good note and they’ve got most of their best players back. I’m definitely rooting for them to make it happen this year. They’re just like us in that they have to go out and prove they are the best.”
Schouman out
Second-year tight end Derek Schouman will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a strained knee liga- ment in last Thursday’s game, according to coach Dick Jauron. The injury occurred during a first-quarter kickoff when someone rolled up on Schouman’s legs. The seventh-round draft pick was competing with veteran Robert Royal for the starting job.
“Derek is going to be a while,” Jauron said. “We’re hoping not a long while. But at this point Bud (Carpenter, the Bills’ head trainer) is talking in the weeks. So it’s not good, but it could have been worse.”
Unfamiliar place
Duke Preston had never taken a practice snap at right tackle. Heck, he had never played the position, period. Yet there he was lined up on the right
side with the third-team offense
during the Bills’ preseason win over Pittsburgh. “I have officially played
every position there is to play on the offensive line,” said Preston, whose primary job is backup center and guard. “I
found out [I was playing tackle] the day before the game. But
I was ready. Challenges come
along every day, and you just have to meet them head on.”
Sideline views
Rookie cornerback Leodis McKelvin’s first training camp interception was the lone highlight during a rather uneventful night practice before a packed house at Growney Stadium. McKelvin picked off J. P. Losman and would have scored in a real game. … Good news on the injury front as receiver Josh Reed was back on the practice field after missing several days with a sore back. Linebacker Angelo Crowell, who sat out the first two preseason games, also practiced. … Rookie receiver James Hardy was out with a sore hamstring. The Bills are hoping a couple days of rest will correct the problem. Rookie cornerback Kennard Cox was out with a gimpy ankle. … Safety Donte Whitner was not at camp due to a personal issue. Offensive tackle Matt Murphy attended practice wearing a sling on his injured left shoulder.
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 head into their final three days of training camp before moving back to Orchard Park, where workouts are closed to the public. Times of this week’s practices are as follows: today from 2:15 to 4:25 p. m., Tuesday from 7 to 9:05 p. m. and Wednesday 11 a. m. to 12:30 p. m.
On the Web
Check out the Bills daily blog and weigh in with your comments at buffalonews.com/blogs.
Quote of the Day
“It felt like I was starting training camp again, but the trainers did a good job and it was really like I never missed a day as far as how I was feeling. It felt great to be back out there.” –Wide receiver Josh Reed.
–Compiled by Allen Wilson
