PITTSFORD, N.Y. — After three weeks of workouts at St. John Fisher, the Bills hit the turf at Growney Stadium one final time Wednesday morning with light practice before breaking camp and packing up for One Bills Drive.
As one of the teams in the NFL that still holds camp away from home, the Bills feel like they accomplished a great deal during their time out at Fisher.
"It brings your team together where you can focus strictly on football," said head coach Chan Gailey. "They are away from everything else. That is the advantage of it. I see other teams (stay home), I have done it both ways. I see advantages the other way to but this really works well for us.
"It is a great opportunity for us to come (here). If it was spread out all over the place, it might not be ideal. But this is one great camp setup. The best I have been in."
Training camp is not the grind it used to be for the players. Gone are the traditional two-a-day practice and heavy contact. Practices are now shorter and less frequent under the most recent collective bargaining agreement.
"For me, I am out here poppin’ every day so my arm feels a little fresher than it normally would," said quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. "I know it makes a big difference with the other guys and the season is so long as it is. It is always nice coming out at training camp. I am feeling good and ready to go."
While the Bills have left St. John Fisher, Chan Gailey stressed that camp really still continues, only now in Orchard Park.
The Bills have three more preseason games, starting Friday night at Minnesota.