‘“It honestly has been emotionally, I mean, one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, and maybe that means I’ve had a sheltered life or something,” Phillips said. “But when you care about something this much and have it taken away from you — and again, it’s so much bigger that myself. Last year, we had such an amazing team and not being able to contribute. Who’s to say, we might not have won another game or two, if I was able to play. I’m not saying I’m a giant playmaker or anything like that, I’m just saying you think those things into existence sometimes.”’
Archives for August 18, 2020
Bills Notebook: Frank Gore weighs in on his lone season in Buffalo
‘“I feel if they would have let me play, I would have had over 1,000 (yards). I jumped out there. I was having a great year,” Gore told New York reporters after practice with the Jets, who signed him to a one-year contract this offseason. “They had Singletary, who’s … very talented and going to do great things in this league. As long as he keeps working, I know he will. I understand they drafted him, so they had to get him ready. But I felt the games I did play, I did some great things.”’
Bills camp observations: Josh Allen ends with big throw to John Brown
‘Because training camp is closed to fans throughout the NFL, the league and players union agreed to new rules that limit reporting by media that normally takes place each summer. Personnel groupings, who’s playing with the first or second units, specific formations and situational alignments are not allowed to be reported daily by media. General observations about noteworthy plays still are allowed.’
A long time coming, but Bills finally conducted an actual training camp practice
‘While contact was minimal as it often is even in non-COVID-19 21st century NFL times, there was bumping and pushing and shoving, and it looked like football. Up to this point all they had been allowed to do was strength and conditioning work, and then walk-through style drills without pads, essentially touch football as they installed their systems and dug into the playbooks, mainly from the mental side.’
Bills DT Harrison Phillips fought through anxiety, fear to make it through 2nd torn ACL rehab
‘“Just to be back in the huddle,” he said. “And look around at all my brothers being out there playing with them again. It’s the same reason that brought me into the game when I was 11 years old. …I got to play football with my friends again and it’s truly indescribable how great of a feeling it is”’
Ed Oliver, Levi Wallace among Buffalo Bills not practicing on Monday
‘McDermott informed the media that defensive tackle Ed Oliver, cornerback Levi Wallace guard Jon Feliciano and tight end Tommy Sweeney would not practice on Monday. According to McDermott, Oliver is dealing with a sore hip while Wallace is dealing with a sore back.’
Bills training camp 2020: Josh Allen hits deep ball to John Brown (Day 1 observations)
‘By my count the Bills had four 11-on-11 sessions during practice and the offense made some plays and the defense made some plays. Allen seemed to heat up as practice went along and started finding guys pretty consistently in the later portions.’
Bills express worry over lack of preseason games
‘“When those games got canceled, that was frustrating for me. I know it’s frustrating for some of our players (too),” said Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane before the beginning of training camp. “I talked to a few of them that are looking for that chance to prove their worth to either make this roster or to win a starting spot or special teams spot, whatever it is.”’
Levi Wallace facing All-Pro challenger for spot in Bills’ lineup
‘“Myself and (defensive-backs coach) John Butler and the rest of our defensive staff, we always talk to Levi,” Frazier said. “People are going to look at him as an undrafted free agent, so you’re going to find yourself in these situations maybe year in and year out — someone trying to come in and say, ‘I can beat out the undrafted free agent.’’
Ferris State’s Justin Zimmer of Greenville finds new NFL home
‘He helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-1 overall record for the second-straight year in 2015 as Ferris captured the school’s second-straight GLIAC championship while capping off back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons. Ferris State also stretched its regular-season win streak to 25 games and posted its first playoff victory in 19 years during Zimmer’s senior campaign.’
Diggs shows skills of No. 1 wide receiver on first day of padded practice
‘Diggs looks every bit the part of a true No. 1 wide receiver. From the very first few minutes when he was catching red zone passes from Josh Allen to 1-on-1 drills, Diggs ran terrific routes and made difficult catches look easy.’
It’s go time! Observations from One Bills Drive as players practice in pads for first time
‘We’ll do our best not to get carried away, after all, it was just one day of practice. But Diggs looks like a game-changer when he’s on the field. Josh Allen looked for him early and often Monday, and the two seemed to be on the same page.’
“It’s truly a blessing”, Bills DT Harrison Phillips returns to the practice field after 2019 ACL injury
‘”I think the saying in the NFL is the next-man-up mentality,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for this defense. Our standard is extremely high and no one wants to settle for second-best. We have high aspirations and we are putting in the work right now.”‘
Marv Levy Stadium? 3,000 Bills fans sign petition to Kim and Terry Pegula to rename Bills home stadium
‘After New Era and the Buffalo Bills ended their naming rights agreement earlier this summer, the stadium formerly known as “New Era Field” has not been given a new name. On the team’s website, it is known simply as “The Stadium.”‘
Bills HC Sean McDermott: “It’s return to real football” as pads come on at training camp
‘“It’s return to real football. When you grow up around this game whether you’re coaching or playing, the first day of pads is always kind of monumental if you will,” head coach Sean McDermott said on a zoom call before practice.’