PITTSFORD, N.Y. - Bills defensive end Marcus Jones has had coaches get on his back before, but never to the degree Tim Krumrie did.
Wanting to prove that Jones' injured left knee was strong enough to begin practicing, Krumrie, the Bills' defensive line coach, asked for a piggyback ride.
"I was like, "Check his pockets for weights because he was pretty heavy,"' Jones said, laughing, as the Bills opened training camp Thursday. "I was like, "Coach, what if you fall?' And he said, "Well, you better not let me fall."'
Krumrie didn't fall and Jones passed what one of the unlikeliest and final tests of his yearlong recovery since tearing cartilage in his knee last August. The injury occurred while Jones was a member of the Buccaneers, who eventually released him before the Bills signed the six-year veteran in November.
On Thursday, Jones was anxious and itching to be back on the field for the first time since he was hurt.
"Man, I had butterflies all this morning," he said. "And I felt pretty good today. Not one time did I ever think about my knee."
As much as Jones gave Krumrie a lift, the hope is that the player can eventually return the favor to a team needing help on a defensive line that lacked a pass-rushing presence.
The Bills had just 31 sacks last season, which ranked 25th in the NFL, and contributed to the defense finishing with a league-low 19 turnovers.
Jones said the year off has provided a new perspective in how much playing football means to him.
"I hate standing on the sideline. I hate watching everybody else get better," he said. "Once you sit back and watch somebody else out there having fun in your position and doing what you love to do, that is the worst thing I could possibly imagine for anybody if you care about your job."
Dolphins stock up
As Miami opens its 37th training camp in Davie today, the slate is clean, the roster is talented and the Dolphins are touted as Super Bowl contenders.
But then they usually look good in July. December is a different matter, and last year was the worst yet with losses at Minnesota and New England costing Miami a playoff berth.
Wannstedt is 31-17 in three seasons with the Dolphins and expectations this summer are the highest since he became coach.
They're based on the return of 21 starters and the additions of linebacker Junior Seau, quarterback Brian Griese, defensive backs Sammy Knight and Terrell Buckley, defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina and receiver Derrius Thompson.
There will be competition at outside linebacker, where top draft pick Eddie Moore is expected to challenge incumbent Morlon Greenwood, and at safety, where Knight, Brock Marion and Arturo Freeman will compete for the two starting jobs. Otherwise the defense is set, with nine former Pro Bowl players on the depth chart.
On offense the goal will be more big plays from the passing game to take the onus off NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams. Thompson, Oronde Gadsden and James McKnight will compete to start at receiver opposite Chris Chambers. The Dolphins also must sort out depth in the offensive line.
"I won't sleep very good the night before our first practice, and it frustrates me," Wannstedt said. "I say, "How can that be after all this time? How do you get yourself like this emotionally?"'
He should relax. December is still a few months away.
Broncos waive RB Davis
Denver waived Terrell Davis, one of the most popular players in team history, after learning the star running back would not pass his physical.
Davis has been rehabilitating in Phoenix in an attempt to return to the NFL, but recently told coach Mike Shanahan he didn't think his battered knees would allow him to pass a physical before the start of training camp today.
Davis, 30, was one of the most productive running backs in league history his first four seasons, but five operations the past four years left him hobbled.
Davis has been working with a physical therapist to see if he can play again, but it has been slow going. He recently started running and told Shanahan that he doesn't want to take up a roster spot if he's not healthy.
CARDINALS: Second-round pick Anquan Boldin, a wide receiver from Florida State, agreed to terms on a four-year deal.
COWBOYS: First-round pick Terence Newman, who could start at left cornerback, signed a seven-year deal and will receive a $13-million signing bonus.
CHIEFS: Fullback Tony Richardson cracked his left thumb in morning practice in River Falls, Wis., and will probably miss several days.
Also missing from practice with a strained hamstring was rookie linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who played at South Florida.
Coach Dick Vermeil said he did not think Richardson or Mitchell, a second-round draft pick, will be out for long.
49ERS: Five draft picks signed, including defensive end Andrew Williams of Miami (three years) and tight end Aaron Walker of Florida (three years with a $107,500 signing bonus).
JAGUARS: Second-round pick Rashean Mathis, a defensive back, signed but top pick top pick Byron Leftwich remained without a deal. Mathis signed a four-year contract worth $3.17-million.
RAIDERS: All-Pro center Barret Robbins was among four placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list after failing physicals on the eve of training camp. He needs a few more days to finish rehabilitation from arthroscopic knee surgery. Tight ends Roland Williams and Mondriel Fulcher and defensive back Clarence Love also were placed on the list.
