Bills
BILLS NOTEBOOK: Corner enjoys true home game
CANTON, Ohio — For Reggie Corner, Sunday’s Hall of Fame didn’t seem like a neutral site contest.
The former Akron Zip played his high school football at Fawcett Stadium for Canton McKinley.
“It feels really good to get the opportunity to come back here, not just to play in the stadium, but just to run around and play against some different people. I’m definitely excited about it and having some fun right now.”
Corner gave his friends and family something to cheer about as he intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter, running up the right sideline for a touchdown that got the Bills back into the contest.
The 5-9, 175-pounder has been one of the bigger surprises through camp, giving high-priced free agent Drayton Florence a run for his money for the top nickel position.
Corner wasn’t the only player to enjoy some home cooking. Bills reserve Dustin Fox played at Glen Oak High School, just a few miles from the Hall of Fame site.
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Ralph Wilson Jr. insisted he still has “youth on his side” during Saturday’s Hall of Fame enshrinement, but that youth didn’t serve him well on Sunday.
Wilson was the only living member of the class who skipped the GameDay Roundtable, which was held at Canton’s Civic Center at lunchtime.
ESPN reporter Andrea Kremer, the event’s emcee, said Wilson was resting up to “get his gameface on” for Sunday’s night contest. Bruce Smith, Randall McDaniel and Rod Woodson did take part in the discussion, which was casual and light.
Smith’s funniest moment came when he discussed the ice tubs he’d take while a member of the Washington Redskins.
“Everything shrinks in an ice tub,” Smith joked.
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Although the early start gives coaches a longer window to evaluate players, Sunday’s game certainly didn’t simulate typical Buffalo playing conditions. When the contest started, the temperature at Fawcett Stadium was officially 84 degrees, although it crept into the 90s in the afternoon.
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After getting burned for a few decent chunks on the opening drive, Paul Posluszny missed a golden opportunity for a pick when he had a Kerry Collins’ pass go through his hands. But the Bills did get a pair of picks with Leodis McKelvin before Corner’s interception.
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Derek Schouman didn’t play, but the veteran tight end wasn’t out due to injury. Schouman, who is listed as the first-string tight end on the team’s depth chart, was held out to give coaches a better look at others, including rookie Shawn Nelson, who entered the game in the first half.
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A loud cheer came during the fourth quarter in the press box at Fawcett, usually a no-no for working press areas. There were no complaints, though, when all realized it was ESPN’s Chris Mortensen clapping after his son, Tennessee quarterback Alex Mortensen, completed his first pass as a professional.
His second pass, however, was an interception to Corner.
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
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