The billboard: A daily dose from Bills training camp
Hardy on fade
Quarterback Trent Edwards connected with rookie receiver James Hardy on a fade pattern in the end zone for a touchdown during seven-on-seven drills. It’s the play that’s expected to help the Bills’ red zone offense, which was 30th in the NFL last season.
However, Edwards tried again on the fade for Hardy in the 11-on-11 session, and the pass was well underthrown.
Terrence McGee made an easy interception.
“Obviously James is a big target down there,” Edwards said. “We need to utilize his height and his physical approach to the position. … It’s something we need to work on and get better at. We hit a couple and missed a couple today. That’s part of practice.”
Sideline views
The Bills worked in pads for a third straight day Wednesday before a good
crowd of about 1,000 at St. John Fisher. The run defense looked strong in 11-on-11 sessions.
Ryan Denney stuffed the second play. The middle was clogged up on the third. Marcus Stroud jammed up the fourth carry. Donte Whitner shot through to stop Fred Jackson in his tracks on another play. Terrence McGee was all over a misdirection play. … The starting offensive linemen, particularly Brad Butler, Melvin Fowler and Derrick Dockery, held their own in one-on-one pass rushing drills. Chris Kelsay did a good job bull-rushing Kirk Chambers, which got coach Bill Kollar fired up. “That’s the idea!” Kollar told Kelsay. “Hell, we’re in pads now.”
Tight end Derek Schouman made the catch of the day, leaping high in the air and landing in bounds in the back of the end zone on a throw from Gibran Hamdan. … Angelo Crowell (knee) sat out a second straight day. Receiver Stevie Johnson left with a sore knee. Defensive lineman Shaun Nua hobbled off with a sore leg. Coach Dick Jauron said none of the injuries were significant. He thought Crowell and Johnson might sit out a day or two. Quarterback J. P. Losman (sore thumb) was back in action.
Newman at camp
NASCAR star Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 car and winner of the Daytona 500, visited camp to promote the Watkins Glen International Aug. 7-10. Newman’s favorite sport outside of auto racing is fishing. He’s not a big NFL fan.
“I used to be a fan of the 49ers when Joe Montana played, but I don’t really have a team now,” he said.
Newman, however, has a link to Bills offensive lineman Brad Butler, Newman’s jack man, Bryan White, was Butler’s teammate and roommate at the University of Virginia.
Directions
From Buffalo take the Thruway to Exit 47. Take Route 490 East for 25 miles to Exit 25 (Fairport Road -31ÇF). 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 today from 7 to 9:05 p. m. A ticket is required for admission, and no more tickets are available. The team practices 2:15 to 4:20 p. m. Friday and 10:10 a. m. to 12:20 p. m. Saturday. The team is off Sunday. Next week’s first practice is 2:15 to 4:20 p. m. Monday.
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.
On the Web
Check out the Bills daily blog at buffalonews.com. To post your comments, go to buffalonews. type-pad. com/billboard
Quote of the Day
“The red zone is critical to every team and we haven’t performed very well.” — Coach Dick Jauron
— Compiled by Mark Gaughan
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