Bills OTA Report: Mario Williams Impresses in Debut

If he brings nothing else to the table, you have to say this for prize free-agent acquition Mario Williams: he’s going to make this defense a lot scarier looking. At 6’6, 290 pounds with world-class athleticism, this man is a freak of nature.

Ryan Fitzpatrick agrees, noting: “He looks like a Madden character you create when you sit there and up-up the strength, and the guy keeps growing. And then he’s the fastest guy on the field, too.”

The physical marvel that is Williams did more than just look good in first practice as a Bill yesterday – he made a huge impression with his play. Williams tortured second-year tackle Chris Hairston all day yesterday, including bull-rushing Hairston into the backfield once and just bursting around the young tackle twice in limited full-speed work.

Williams wasn’t worried too much about production – he was just happy to be out on the field again after missing most of the 2011 season: “It was great to get a chance to come back out and run around the guys…finally step back out on the football field. It was great.”

Other notes from Buffalo’s first full-team workout yesterday:

– Out with injury Tuesday were Stevie Johnson, Terrence McGee, Shawne Merriman, Eric Wood, Erik Pears, Mike Caussin and Torell Troup. Rookie free agent CB Cris Hill and S Josh Nesbitt also did not participate. Merriman is expected back Thursday

– In awesome news, DT Kyle Williams did individual drills yesterday. He wasn’t expected back at all until training camp.

– CB Leodis McKelvin is apparently going to be given a real shot to keep his job – he worked exclusively with the first team yesterday. First-round pick Stephon Gilmore and second-year man Aaron Williams split time at the other starting CB spot.

– Brad Smith worked out exclusively as a QB after spending most of last season as a WR.

– Speaking of WR, with Stevie Johnson out rookie T.J. Graham got a ton of reps in Johnson’s usual spot. Donald Jones, David Nelson, and Derek Hagan split the remaining first-team reps. Glad to see Hagan getting a chance – I really liked him at the end of the 2011 season.

– Colin Brown was the team’s starting center thanks to Eric Wood still recovering from the injury that ended his 2011 season. Wood is expected back by training camp.