Today’s practice was the last at St. John Fisher College for the Bills, with the dress rehearsal game against Tampa Bay at Ralph Wilson Stadium just two days away. Here are the four things to take away from the camp finale.
1. Bills Fight for second straight day
Another scuffle during today’s final practice of training camp at St. John Fisher College pushed Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone to his breaking point.
“Get your (expletive) right,” Marrone screamed at the team as he ordered them to line up on the sideline to run a sprint.
The coach then turned his attention to defensive end Jerry Hughes, telling him “you don’t have to play on this team,” as Hughes’ teammates implored him to step away from the confrontation.
In speaking with reporters after practice, Marrone denied that he was talking directly to Hughes.
“No, that’s directed to anyone that doesn’t want to be a part of the team,” he said.
Shortly after practice wrapped up, Marrone pulled Hughes out of the defensive line’s huddle for a conversation.
“I told Jerry that I love the way he practices and I love the way he plays special teams — how he goes about it,” Marrone said. “We’ve got to get some other guys who are starters to do that, too. That was my conversation with him.”
Marrone made it clear after Wednesday’s workout that he’s tired of the fighting among teammates.
“It’s not part of the game,” he said then. “Therefore, I don’t want to speak about it. It hurts the integrity of our game the more we talk about it. That’s how I feel about fighting.”
So why did he have to deal with it a day later?
“Lack of respect,” the coach said.
Respect for the game, respect for coaches or respect for other players, Marrone was asked.
“All. Check one, check two and check three,” he said.
Marrone also said there is no place for fighting, and he would handle the respect issue “personally”. It appears a long camp finally boiled over the last two days, and that scuffles will not be tolerated on any level the rest of the season.
2. Sammy Watkins still not cleared to play
Watkins ran some routes against air, but did not participate in anything else during practice, with Marrone saying after practice that he is not yet cleared to play, and that doctors told him he wouldn’t play if the game was today.
Watkins’ case for this week is pretty much day-to-day, but not fully participating in a practice is not a good sign in terms of being able to play on Saturday. It would be a shock at this point to see him on the field against the Buccaneers.
3. Andre Reed comes to practice
The Hall of Fame receiver was on the Bills’ sideline talking to players such as Stephon Gilmore, Corey Graham, and Aaron Williams. He also spoke to talented but embattled defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.
Hall-of-fame receiver @Andre_Reed83 told me he told @marcelldareus today at camp to take advantage of his opportunities and be professional
— Lauren Brill (@LaurenBrill4) August 21, 2014
Reed’s presence at camp is a great deal when you consider that Jim Kelly unfortunately has not been able to come as he usually does due to dealing with cancer treatments.
Speaking of which…..
4. Kelly Talks about doctor’s statement
Yesterday, Kelly’s doctor said there was no evidence of cancer (via CBSSports.com’s John Breech):
Jim Kelly was evaluated yesterday at the New York Head & Neck Institute at Lenox Hospital in Manhattan, three months after having completed the radiation and chemotherapy protocol designed to treat his recurrent sinus cancer. Dr. Peter Constantino, Executive Director of the Institute, stated that, “The treatments so far have completely eliminated Mr. Kelly’s pain, and his level of function has essentially returned to normal. Further, on physical examination, there is no evidence of cancer.”
Over the coming week, a series of tests will be performed to determine if any further treatment will be necessary. Constantino added, “It is possible that no further treatment will be required, and the testing over the next week will define this issue.”
Kelly said on ESPN’s Sportscenter this morning that he was “elated” when he heard the news.
“I could not believe that finally i heard those words and it made me feel good,” said Kelly. “It’s been a long few months to wait the final to find out if the chemo and radiation worked, but so far so good. i have one more trip back to New York City where some of the MRI scans did not 100% show everything that they needed to see, so one more hurdle to cross, and that’s next week to find out after they do some biopsies that the cancer’s completely gone, but I’m an optimistic person and i have some good feelings about it.”
Kelly talked about the “support” and “prayers” family members gave him. The Hall of Fame quarterback and cancer survivor remarked how his daughters, Erin and Cameron, were there with him “every step of the way”, his brothers Ray and Danny spending time and helping him, and of course his wife Jil.
“When we talk about Kelly tough all the time, you have people saying toughness means physical toughness, but the mental toughness they’ve showed towards me, the support they’ve given me, the prayers, and always being there every step of the way, both Erin and Cameron is priceless,” said Kelly. “Words can’t describe what family has meant to me, and I am so so blessed.”
While Kelly exuded physical toughness throughout his career, overcoming neck and back surgeries, he said that inhis bout was cancer, mental toughness was “probably the biggest hurdle he had to cross”. That toughness came from unlikely sources.
“I don’t like complaining about it, i don’t like talking about it because i know there’s people out there that are suffering a lot more than i am, and the good thing about it is that people say that I’ve helped people by talking about it,” said Kelly. “Having people talking about Kelly tough and having people rally around them. They’ve helped me, the cards, the letters, the well wishes, the people just praying for me, that has gotten me through.
“The mental part is where i needed the support, and not only the people that i’ve known but the people that I’ve never met before that have come to my side, that have talked to me, that have sent me these cards. that has helped me get to where i’m at today. I am truly, truly blessed.”
Andre Reed expressed his happiness toward the news of his signal-caller’s current disease possibly being gone.
I am certainly ecstatic as everyone is on the great news about Jim Kelly. …The power of prayer is strong..# KellyTough
— Andre Reed (@Andre_Reed83) August 20, 2014
