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Pittsford, N.Y. —
The scene at St. John Fisher College on Wednesday was reminiscent of freshmen moving into dormitories. However, the ones doing the moving were older and a whole lot bigger than the typical freshman, as it was the Buffalo Bills preparing for training camp.
The Bills began practice yesterday and will remain in Pittsford until Aug. 24 in preparation for the regular season.
Players helped each other move larger objects and made runs to Bed Bath and Beyond for bedding and other essential items they left behind.
Some of the popular items among players were big-screen televisions, video game systems and laptops. A TV was the first item running back Fred Jackson brought into Keough Hall.
“It was my son’s TV and he just realized that I brought it here,” Jackson said. “The whole conversation while I was walking down the hallway was like, ‘Well (Dad), you’re taking my TV.’ I had to explain to him that Daddy’s going to borrow it for about a month or so.”
Veteran players like Jackson have been coming to training camp at St. John Fisher for several years, but rookies like Naaman Roosevelt were excited for the upcoming practices.
“I’m ready to get out on the field and make plays,” said Roosevelt, who attended the University at Buffalo.
Second-year offensive lineman Andy Levitre offered some advice for the rookies.
“I’d say, just try and lay low as much as possible and not get into too much trouble,” he said. “The less you talk, the better I’d say.”
Training camp allows fans to get a closer look at players and possibly get a few autographs after practices. Offensive lineman Christian Gaddis said he enjoys the big crowds at practice.
“It just shows how great football is, how great the sport is and how interesting even something as simple as a practice is,” Gaddis said. “To players it’s boring and redundant, but to fans it’s almost the same as a game to them.”
Though the Bills don’t get much time away from the college, they enjoyed their time in Pittsford last year.
“It’s very nice, this is a beautiful part of town,” nose tackle Kyle Williams said. “I’ve been over here a couple of times with (center) Geoff Hangartner and played golf at Oak Hill. It’s a great part of town and we couldn’t ask for a better facility here.”
The scene at St. John Fisher College on Wednesday was reminiscent of freshmen moving into dormitories. However, the ones doing the moving were older and a whole lot bigger than the typical freshman, as it was the Buffalo Bills preparing for training camp.
The Bills began practice yesterday and will remain in Pittsford until Aug. 24 in preparation for the regular season.
Players helped each other move larger objects and made runs to Bed Bath and Beyond for bedding and other essential items they left behind.
Some of the popular items among players were big-screen televisions, video game systems and laptops. A TV was the first item running back Fred Jackson brought into Keough Hall.
“It was my son’s TV and he just realized that I brought it here,” Jackson said. “The whole conversation while I was walking down the hallway was like, ‘Well (Dad), you’re taking my TV.’ I had to explain to him that Daddy’s going to borrow it for about a month or so.”
Veteran players like Jackson have been coming to training camp at St. John Fisher for several years, but rookies like Naaman Roosevelt were excited for the upcoming practices.
“I’m ready to get out on the field and make plays,” said Roosevelt, who attended the University at Buffalo.
Second-year offensive lineman Andy Levitre offered some advice for the rookies.
“I’d say, just try and lay low as much as possible and not get into too much trouble,” he said. “The less you talk, the better I’d say.”
Training camp allows fans to get a closer look at players and possibly get a few autographs after practices. Offensive lineman Christian Gaddis said he enjoys the big crowds at practice.
“It just shows how great football is, how great the sport is and how interesting even something as simple as a practice is,” Gaddis said. “To players it’s boring and redundant, but to fans it’s almost the same as a game to them.”
Though the Bills don’t get much time away from the college, they enjoyed their time in Pittsford last year.
“It’s very nice, this is a beautiful part of town,” nose tackle Kyle Williams said. “I’ve been over here a couple of times with (center) Geoff Hangartner and played golf at Oak Hill. It’s a great part of town and we couldn’t ask for a better facility here.”
