Tashard Choice is known for trash-talking during Bills practices. That’s why his defensive teammates didn’t mind quieting him for a bit on Monday.
The running back was the victim of two big defensive plays during 11-on-11 work at the afternoon session. On the first, Choice was clobbered by S Da’Norris Searcy and went to the ground. On the ensuing play, LB Kirk Morrison nearly took the handoff from the QB before stripping Choice of the football.
“It’s part of the game, but if it had to be anybody, it had to be Tashard,” Morrison said with a laugh.
Choice reportedly was not too happy afterwards and thought the defense took it a bit too far in the practice setting, but coach Chan Gailey had no problems with either play.
“It’s football,” Gailey said. “In training camp, you’re supposed to have those. I don’t want those in the regular season in practice, but in training camp, that’s part of it.”
“It’s just practice, Tashard knows that,” Morrison said. “I want to make sure we keep all our guys healthy, that’s the main thing, keeping everybody healthy for the season. Sometimes those plays happen out there on the field but it’s just something that kind of picked the defense up today and we’ll kind of build off of it.”
What else stood out: Both the first and second offensive units ended practice with their most efficient two-minute drills of camp. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly found a rhythm and connected on quality throws to C.J. Spiller and Donald Jones. Fitzpatrick made up for the starters’ only mistake, a botched shotgun snap, with a last-second TD pass to Scott Chandler in the middle of the end zone. For the backups, QB Vince Young threw a pretty TD pass to WR Ruvell Martin. ... Young continues to make strides and had a good day throwing the football. Said Gailey: “I think today was his best day since he’s been here.” ... Derek Hagan and T.J. Graham both had excellent catches earlier in the afternoon. They’re both earning more playing time this year with strong camps. ... C Eric Wood (knee) appears to still be getting back into the swing of things. On one play in team work, he was taken to the ground by DT Dwan Edwards. When Wood’s fully healthy, that likely won’t happen.
Injury update: CB Terrence McGee (knee) continues to receive increased reps. Said Gailey: “When you talk about percentages of where he is, he gains a percentage (point) or two every day. He never makes a jump of 10 to 15 percent. It’s slowly but surely coming. He can do most everything except a couple things in his movements.” DE Shawne Merriman was a new non-participant due to what Gailey called bumps and bruises but he should be back on the field Tuesday. In addition to Merriman, CB Justin Rogers (hamstring), S Josh Nesbitt (undisclosed), TE Mike Caussin (knee) and TE Kevin Brock (shoulder) did not participate.
What’s next: The Bills have their final open practice of training camp at 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.
For more updates on the Bills follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBUF and @MarkLud12.
No ad available