Bills top pick Aaron Maybin on more than one occasion was taking a bit of a leadership role during the rookie minicamp this weekend. At times he’d be encouraging his defensive unit when it was their turn to go out on the field and rep plays. And each day after practice was over and coach Jauron would bring the team in, Maybin would huddle the group up and have some kind of pep talk to put a good cap on the day.
Granted he won’t be doing that when the whole roster is on hand with plenty of veterans to take on those responsibilities, but it’s encouraging nonetheless. And though Dick Jauron didn’t want to make too much of it he recognized it.
“It’s good that he does it,” said Jauron. ”It’s fine. Somebody has got to do it. It’s an interesting exercise. When you don’t name a person to address them or when you don’t address them and you see who does, I don’t judge one way or the other I just observe it, but I make note of it.”
By Chris Brown - Posted May 2nd, 2009
Just thought I’d pass along some of my notes from Saturday’s practice regarding some of the Bills draft choices.
Eric Wood is put together real well. The guy is not even in pads yet and he looks like he’d win most battles in the trenches in the NFL. The guy has done well in one-on-ones (no pads mind you) with fellow offensive linemen.
The linemen were doing some cut blocks in which they lunge out at an angle, leave their feet and throw their inside arm at the defensive lineman’s thigh. Wood was getting some major air and distance. Just a lot of power in that frame of his.
Andy Levitre is more of a technician. He likes to mix it up too, but he doesn’t have the same build as Wood. More squatty and square Levitre holds his own, but is real quick with his hands.
Shawn Nelson is very flexible. There have been several times where he’s had to twist behind his body to make a catch. He bends very well. He’s already made a few shoe top catches on the run. Coach Coiner is getting on him about sharpening up a few of his routes, but he’s been real smooth in the pass game.
Nic Harris is making a nice transition to LB. He has no problem handling coverage assignments. He’s got a lot of confidence in his ability to adapt mentally and physically to linebacker and this scheme is a perfect fit for a guy that runs as well as he does. Had a nice pass breakup in the morning practice today.
Cary Harris looks like he’s hurting. He put on some supportive knee pads today. Didn’t have a chance to ask him if his knees are bugging him, but he’s not running well. He gave up a long touchdown pass today, though he did have a pass breakup in the morning. It just seems like he’s fighting his way through practice.
Ellis Lankster hasn’t made any plays, but he runs well and looks like a decent cover man. I don’t know if that means he makes the roster, but he’s held his own here in this camp.
Jairus Byrd is a sharp tack. The guy is already directing his other DBs and linebackers somewhat pre-snap during 7-on-7 and team work. It’s clear that he’s on a higher level mentally in understanding the nuances of the game. Be nice if that translates into INTs.
Aaron Maybin showed his athleticism during individual position drills. Coach Bob Sanders was doing in pass tip drill, where the player first in line tips the pass and the second defensive linemen intercepts it (or tries to).
When Maybin was the second guy on the drill (the interceptor) he leaped up high and simply snatched the ball out of the air with one hand for the INT palming it like a basketball.
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