Buffalo Bills Training Camp – A Fan’s World
- Veronica R. Chiesi Brown
- Aug 13, 2015
- 3 min read
Wednesday night the Buffalo Bills held another night practice at St. John Fisher College. Granted, I have been to training camp before and already this year but something struck me this time that I wanted to point out. It has to do with you, the fans.
First, I will review my observations:
The Buffalo Bills defense is huge. I know I said that before but I had an even closer vantage point this time and they are beasts. Even in drills these guys are playing hard and any team SHOULD be scared to play against them.
The offense is still shaky but it is clear that Matt Cassel (as revealed in the first depth chart) is the number one quarterback and Tyrod Taylor is the number two. EJ Manuel rounds out the top three but Matt Simms did have some reps last night.
Several players sat out of practice including Percy Harvin. Others have been out for days such as Fred Jackson and Boobie Dixon (got his autograph!) due to injuries suffered earlier in camp.
Ron Darby got a bath he couldn’t get away from – he was tied to the goal post with tape and doused with water. Poor rookie. Hey at least it wasn’t a Western New York winter day!
Bonus observation/thought: Many have weighed in on the signing of LB IK Enemkpali. After the Jets released him for punching Geno Smith and breaking his jaw, Rex Ryan rushed to pick him up. As Doug Whaley put it, he deferred to Rex because Rex knows Enemkpali and how he plays first hand. I too defer to Rex (not that anyone asked me). Also you have to wonder why no teammates came to Geno’s defense. Almost every team protects its quarterback from other teams and each other. Perhaps that speaks louder than any punch heard around the football world.
As St. John Fisher alum, I was invited to be part of a special reception on the terrace at the end of the end zone. I had a great vantage point of the players but also the fans on either side of the field.
After practice was officially over I sat back (well I was standing) and observed. It struck me how gracious the players were to the fans. I myself was part of this as I was at the end of a long line of people waiting for Boobie Dixon’s autograph (BTW, He signs A Dixon not Boobie). Boobie went down the entire side to get everyone waiting. I saw the same thing on other ends of the field. These guys get it. Maybe they all don’t but it appears most of them do. Their success is directly tied to the fans. They want to please the fans. They know they are the heart of the team. Could they have just left after practice? Yes, they could have. Nothing says they have to stay as an autograph tent was not set up. They stayed anyway. Most were probably tired and hungry and wanted to get out of there but they stayed. To all the players who may read this (come on guys help a girl out), we thank you (and thanks to Robert Woods & Sammy Watkins for waving to me!) It doesn’t go unnoticed and means a lot to those of us who have been fans our whole lives. In the words of the classic commercial: “we love you man (s)”.
Veronica R. Chiesi Brown @VRCB32
Bills Fanatics Senior Writer
Comments