‘“This will be the most important preseason in terms of the kicking game in the 17 years I’ve been in the league,” Crossman said. “It’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be important because to see what people are trying to do on both sides of it, the kickoff and the kickoff return. Because it really is a completely different play than we’ve seen in the past.”’
Archives for August 4, 2018
Cam Phillips turning heads at training camp for Bills
‘”He’s off to a good start,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said before the start of Friday’s practice at New Era Field. “The first thing that jumps out at me or us as coaches is the way he handles the scheme, not only offensively but on special teams. He’s got really good football acumen. … He comes from a good program at Virginia Tech.”‘
Bills Camp Day 8: Observations from New Era Field
‘”One thing that really stuck out to me is this is a family-oriented organization,” Bush said. “We had a situation today where we were all in the dinner room and coach told us to put our phones away so we could talk and get to know these guys. It was just a fellowship. We’re definitely a family-oriented team. That’s something special, and it’s going to take us a long way this year.”‘
Bills QB Watch, Day 8: Rotation with starters returns
‘”It’s part of the plan from the beginning,” the coach said. “Just part of the routine. … The red zone two days ago, a day in between and then another red zone, we wanted to make sure that Nate (Peterman) and AJ had time in the red zone, Nate first and then AJ. If we stick with the rotation, then it would’ve been Nate again.”‘
What He Said: Sean McDermott as Bills return for practice at New Era Field
‘[It was] just part of the routine. Because we went red-zone, if you think about it and go back, the red-zone two days ago, a day in between and then another red-zone, we wanted to make sure that Nate [Peterman] and AJ had time in the red-zone, Nate first and then AJ. If we stick with the rotation, then it would’ve been Nate again. That is part of the plan.’
Grammar schooler signs ‘one-day contract’ with Bills, has time of his life
‘Agahiu is in the Oishei Children’s Hospital’s Stone Buddies program, which supports families coping with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. He’s battling a sickle cell disease and was made an honorary captain for the night.’
Jay Skurski’s Bills Mailbag: Is Tremaine Edmunds the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the …
‘Absolutely he has a shot – maybe the best of any rookie defensive player. That’s because, as a middle linebacker, he’s going to be put in position to make a ton of plays, which means statistics. Those carry significant weight for voters. Saying he “runs away with it,” though, is a stretch. Denver’s Bradley Chubb could put up big numbers opposite Von Miller. Denzel Ward will be counted on in Cleveland to be the Browns’ No. 1 cornerback. The point is, there will be a lot of competition.’
Sleep pods, float tanks, massage tables — Bills’ $18 million weight room has it all
‘Construction on the project is in the early stages and has a scheduled end date of April 2019 — in time for the team’s offseason conditioning program. Beane and McDermott conducted a top-to-bottom review of the Bills’ facilities upon arriving last year. While they found the current weight room to be functional, Beane said if they were being “nitpicky,” it could use some upgrades.’
For Jim Kelly, Hall of Fame return is a ‘dream week’
‘”I started seeing all the quarterbacks in the room (and thinking), ‘Who wouldn’t want your grandchildren to have a pictures of your dad with 10 of the 12 of the top quarterbacks in the history of the NFL? Or all the running backs?’ ” Kelly said. “I started that, and all of a sudden, now everybody’s starting to do it. I said, ‘I know what I love and I know what I want to give my grandchildren.’ And I also started getting a football signed by everybody, probably eight years ago.’
Hold on, Sean McDermott says there’s no decision made on QB just yet
‘“It was part of the plan from the beginning, part of the routine,” McDermott said. “If you go back and think red zone two days ago, a day in between, then another red zone day. We wanted to make sure Nate (Peterman) and A.J. (McCarron) had time in the red zone (with the 1s). Nate was first (on Tuesday), and if we had stayed with the rotation, it would have been Nate again (Thursday).”’
Brandon Beane: QB plan won’t change until Buffalo Bills play Carolina Panthers
‘”So we’ve rotated AJ and Nate (with the first team offense) and it’s been a very good competition,” said Beane. “It’s been healthy. We really haven’t changed or veered from that plan at this point. We’ll keep it that way. Once the games start, the cream will rise to the top and we’ll start making adjustments between Week 1 and Week 2 (of the preseason).”‘
Bills coach Sean McDermott: ‘The game doesn’t seem too big for Josh Allen’
‘”I like his presence. The game doesn’t seem too big for him, even when, to this point, he’s moved up to the ones,” McDermott said.’
Buffalo Bills training camp day 8: Showing off for home crowd (9 observations)
‘McDermott ran a ton of situational drills like red zone, goal line and special teams.’
7 reasons the Buffalo Bills should sign WR Brandon LaFell
‘One year after selecting LaFell, the Panthers hired Sean McDermott to be their defensive coordinator. Although McDermott never personally coached LaFell, his defense practiced against wide receiver and the Bills’ current head coach knows what LaFell brings to the table.’
Joe B: 7 observations from 2018 Buffalo Bills training camp – Day 8
‘It was fun while it lasted for A.J. McCarron, who received consecutive days with the first-team offense — the first quarterback on the Bills roster to do so through the spring and summer. On Friday, McCarron was back down with the second-team offense, along with head coach Sean McDermott dismissing the notion that there was anything to be taken away from the quarterback getting those two straight days with the top unit.’