7-26 Training Camp Report

[NY Nole]

Apologies that my notes are not quite as detailed as Astrobot’s were — but just returned from a BEAUTIFUL night at SJFC. Some thoughts on the first practice:

 

1. We all need to truly appreciate the player that Kyle Williams is (and has been) for the BIlls. His leadership comes shining through in everything he does. During tonight’s practice — the Offense and Defense routinely separated — with the Defense relocating to the practice field that is closest to the Athletic Center — away from public view. Whenever they left one field and returned back — guess who was the first one out front RUNNING to the drill area —- KYLE WILLIAMS. I noticed on more than one occasion, Harrison Phillips was tied to Kyle’s hip — I think just being around Kyle is enought to give these guys extra knowledge or motivation. Oh ya — Kyle stayed for at least an hour after practice signing autographs — he is simply amazing — and I for one am going to miss him.

 

2. Is Tremaine Edmunds really that big? Yes he is — and then some. He is gigantic. From what I saw — he moves very well too. While it wasn’t a full padded practice, this guy is going to be thumping people this year — and opposing players will not like getting hit by him. He looks like the real deal.

 

3. Offensive Line — let’s just call this a work in progress. For the first practice — there is nowhere to go but up. Line looks like this: Dawkins, Ducasse, Bodine, Miller and Mills. In the individual drills — Ducasse had a false start. It was not pretty. Unfortunately the backups weren’t much better (though things did improve slightly as the night went on). Marshall Newhouse was second string LT — and probably shouldn’t have been. He could not compete with speed of Yarborough on the edge for what would have been a sack that would have killed McCarron. Teller was backup RG and McDermott was backup RT (with Groy at backup center)

 

4. Speaking of QB’s — when things kicked off, McCarron was alone throwing passes to the RB’s while Allen and Peterman threw to the receivers (at the same time in different halves of the field.). One would be from shotgun while the other was under center. Here - Peterman excelled at throwing against air (receivers not so much — more on that later — but Rod Streater dropped his very first pass against air, though it was thrown by an assistant coach — it was still a  ball that should have been caught — he redid the drill and caught it this time — way to go. In 11 on 11, Peterman got the start against the ones. His very first pass — should have been INTERCEPTED by Tre White — but White dropped it. It would have been a pick6. Granted — it was a good jump from White — but Peterman struggled mightily in team drills. McCarron was solid, but unspectacular — definitely appeared comfortable an in control - at one point he was directing his receiver on a roll-out pass and hit him in stride running left to right (vs. the inaccuracy of Allen doing the same thing).  As for Allen —well, he too was up and down — but he is clearly the superior arm talent. He makes it look so effortless in terms of throwing the ball. He had absolutely the best pass of the night to Rob Foster — when he climbed the pocket (it was collapsing) and zinged it for a 20-25 yard strike OVER THE MIDDLE (#Astrobot). While he had several nice throws — he also had several bad throws — namely short passes while he was rolling out. It seems as though he doesn’t get his body in the right position to make these types of seemingly simple passes. He was wildly off target on several short throws in this fashion. He also put some others on the money well down the field. He has loads of potential. Peterman — well — as mentioned his first pass should have been picked...others as well. It’s as though he decides quickly where he is going with the ball and even if defenders are there says “SCREW IT - I’m throwing anyways.” I think Peterman gets it out the quickest of the qb’s — but it doesn’t matter if you throw it to the other team.

 

5. WR’s - Streater had a rough go of it tonight. He looked very awkward in his breaks — and had a bad drop against air. On the flip side — who is this Robert Foster. HE had the catch of the night from Allen — but was looking like a very polished receiver out there. Caught many —- although did have a FUMBLE on a reverse. Can’t have that Robert — it was a bummer — because you had the best evening out of the WR’s by far. Reilly looked solid — as did Proehl. KB is clearly one, Holmes was the #2 and behind them —- well, we’ll see. BTW - Ray Ray is very quick. Whether he gets on the field is anyone’s guess. He looks smallish to me — like Roscoe.

 

Things I liked on Defense (couldn’t see much because they were on other field most of time)...Poyer picked up where he left off. Seems like he is also being a leader as well. Jerry Hughes was teaching Love on the sidelines about hand-placement and swim techniques — liked seeing this out of him. Defense was clearly ahead of the offense — but that is to be expected. I think we have a solid defense this year — hopefully that will help our OLINE improve.

 

That’s all I can think of for now — maybe others saw more of the defense tonight. Oh — coolest sight of camp — seeing Pancho Billa and Pinto Ken. Pancho was invited onto the field toward the end of practice. Afterwords, Harrison Phillips spent probably 20 minutes chatting with him — very cool to see. I asked him how he was feeling and he said good..#PanchoPower

 

EDIT - Sorry about the format — my tablet was acting up last night. I will be back at camp next Sunday — hopefully other poster can share their thoughts until then. Couple other thoughts: they spent a lot of time on the new kickoff return format. Taiwan Jones and Cadet were the primary kickoff returners. In reading another post — I absolutely agree that Murphy looks like another giant of a man. He was starting Left End. As said earlier, Poyer and White were all over on defense. Oh ya — for what it’s worth Allen’s girlfriend was there — and had quite the share of fans in her own right. She’s a looker! Bills QB’s may not be getting much national attention — but if Musberger does any games — their significant others sure will.

 

Go Bills!

 

Edited July 27, 2018 by NY Nole

[17 Josh Allen]

great report thanks for doing it. 

[Jerry Jabber]

Thanks for a great report!

[Rocky Landing]

Love reading these things. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

This is awesome, Thanks!

[WMDman]

Appreciate you

[Kelly the Dog]

Thanks for the detailed report. That was terrific for us playing at home. 

[gobills1212]

Kudos, you too! 

[Comebackkid]

Very nice, thanks

[Gugny]

I've got some serious problems with this report.

 

Just kidding.  Awesome stuff and thank you for the time and effort!

[Shaw66]

Thanks for the write up. Great stuff.  

 

Kyle is one of those guys who just do it right. Always has been. 

[ProcessYaDigg]

Now that you've set the bar, we are expecting this everyday...lol. thanks for the good read!

[Sanners]

Thanks, awesome report. Maybe put some indents and spaces in there for us older guys!  

[Peace Frog]

Good job, NY Nole.

[Vod Kanockers]

Thank you for your work! Much appreciated! Thank god, football is back.. 

[beerme1]

Thanks NY Nole for taking the time to do this. The pics I've seen on twitter with Pancho have all been amazing. The one with Harrison Phillips had chills on me. More now that you say he spent twenty minutes with him. #PanchoPower!

[Mark Vader]

Thank you for the report NY Nole.

[aceman_16]

It was a georgous night for a practice.  I am not typically an alarmist BUT OMG our O line looks brutal.  Other than that it seemed like a first practice.

[#34fan]

-You da man, Nole!

[transplantbillsfan]

Love it!!! 

 

Mahalo!!!