Orchard Park, NY (WGR 550) -- Perry Fewell has started his first practice at head coach. Ryan Fitzpatrick went first followed by Trent Edwards and Gibran Hamdan in hand off drills.
The Bills have confirmed that Fitzpatrick will be the starting QB in Jacksonville. Fewell wasn't ready to name Fitzpatrick the starter for the future.
"It's like a week-to-week situation with him. I can't reveal any more than that. We don't think so, but it's a week-to-week thing. I've just been so focused on going down to Jacksonville, 2 or 3 weeks down the road is just immaterial to me at this point. I've just been focused on our football team and making sure we're on the same page."
Fitzpatrick went 1-and-1 as the starter in his last stint, but didn't manage to outright steal the job. He talks about what he wants to do differently this time.
"You get a little rusty not being in there with all of the things flying in there, the different blitzes and rushes. I think, just being able to hang in there, trusting my guys to make plays on the outside. Other than that, just getting out there and playing like I know how to play."
Terrell Owens thinks that Fitzpatrick earned the starting job and would rather have a veteran back under center.
"He'll be able to buy time with that experience. There will be some times where he can assess the defense and really take some shots downfield. We're looking forward to the opportunity with Ryan. He was 2-and-1 before the Bye week. Personally, I feel like it was his job to lose."
The offensive line did two on ones and Andy Levitre lined up as a tackle next to Seth McKinney. Bryan Scott was still practicing as a linebacker.
Roscoe Parrish, Justin Jenkins, Ashton Youboty, Jairus Byrd, Keith Ellison, Jonathan Scott and Marcus Stroud all weren't practicing. Terrence McGee was working with a trainer.
The players had reactions to the firing of Dick Jauron and their interim Coach. WR Lee Evans wants to see what Fewell can do as the Head Coach.
"We don't know all of the reasons behind it, but it is what it is. For us, this is a great opportunity for Perry stepping in. He came in with a lot of energy and we're excited about playing on Sunday. It was a shock for everybody, even for him. He got the call and this is a big opportunity for him. He wants to capitalize on it and he came in with a lot of energy. He just told us to practice with energy and play with a purpose."
The uncertainty that will surround the team for the rest of the season won't bother Evans.
"We kind of just think about this day-to-day. That's something that we can't control. We're out here to play and win on Sunday."
Evans doesn't think that the players are to blame for Jauron's firing.
"I don't think it was the team letting him down. A lot went into it. I don't know everything that went into it. Certainly, it wasn't one player, one person, one side of the balls' fault for it happening."
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