Chan Gailey's response was simple, and direct. "We're in training camp, aren't we?"
Gailey has had the Bills in pads every day, and that's quite a departure around Bills' camps of recent years. But Gailey said it's imperative that the team begin developing a toughness.
"The theory behind that is that it's a tough game for tough people, and in order to be a physical football team, you have to feel what it's like to be in pads," said Gailey. "We go out and do walk-throughs and you can go out in shorts and get an idea of responsibility and what your job is, but to understand the game and how it's played with leverage and low-man wins, you've got to have pads on."
But beyond the obvious upgrade in tempo and contact that Gailey demands, there's another reason why wearing pads is vital according to the new coach.
"The other thing that I think is big and often overlooked is that we end up protecting our players when we go out in pads," he said. "Guys feel confident about diving for balls. Guys feel confident about running through gaps. You can bang on each other, and you don't get injuries, which I like."
PLAYER NOTES
-- LT Demetrius Bell had been held out of 11-on-11 team drills until Sunday's practice.
-- LB Chris Kelsay suffered a shoulder injury on the second day of practice and has been sidelined since. There is no timetable on his return.
-- LB Paul Posluszny arrived at camp and announced that he had undergone a minor procedure on his groin, and that it was going to keep him out of practice as long as two weeks, maybe more.
-- RB Fred Jackson has been on the receiving end of a couple of big hits as the Bills have been much more physical in camp under Chan Gailey than they ever were under Dick Jauron.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
James Hardy vs. Steve Johnson for starting wide receiver. At No. 2 wide receiver, a pair of 2008 draft picks are 1-2 on the depth chart, but just not in the order you would expect. Seventh-rounder choice Johnson began camp as the starter opposite Lee Evans, with second-round pick James Hardy working with the second group. Hardy has been plagued by injuries during his first two years, but he thinks he can push his way past Johnson with a big camp and solid performances in the preseason games.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
ILB Kawika Mitchell is taking advantage of Paul Posluszny's absence and getting reps. Andra Davis, also in the mix at ILB, is the other starter right now. ... At tight end, Shawn Nelson and Derek Schouman are involved in a tight battle. ... Leodis McKelvin, a 2008 first-round pick, is backing up veteran Drayton Florence at left corner. Last year, Florence began the year as the nickel corner and McKelvin the starter before McKelvin broke his leg in Week 3.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
NT Kyle Williams - At 305 pounds, he's undersized for this position, but he seems to be making the adaptation pretty well. "If I listened to what some people say, I wouldn't be here today," Williams said of those who have doubted him. "It doesn't bother me. It really doesn't matter what position you play, it's still football. If you can play football, you can play football. It's going out there and working hard every day. That's what I've always done and what I'm doing out here now." Williams is really the lone option at this point because Torell Troup is a rookie, and Lonnie Harvey was on the practice squad last year so neither have any NFL experience.
ROOKIE REPORT
NT Torell Troup signed his contract and reported on time, and he's off to a good start. Playing for George O'Leary at Central Florida, who has an NFL background, has helped him adapt. ... DE Alex Carrington has looked quick off the ball in one-on-one drills. ... OT Ed Wang has a hand injury.
INJURY REPORT
The Bills have had a rash of problems at linebacker so far. Paul Posluszny (groin), Keith Ellison (leg) and Chris Kelsay (shoulder) have all been sidelined, and Kawika Mitchell (Achilles) needed a day off Saturday. DE Marcus Stroud had to leave practice early one day because of the heat. LB Danny Batten left practice early Sunday with a shoulder problem
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