Jump to content

Players to watch at the Bills OTAs --- Wrap up thus far


Recommended Posts

8 players to watch when Bills OTAs begin on Monday

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/8-players-to-watch-when-bills-otas-begin-on-monday

 

Although it sounds slightly pedantic, OTAs represent the first and best simulated football so far in preseason. The collective bargaining agreement allows each team 10 OTA sessions over the next few weeks which lead into mandatory minicamp. In the OTAs, for the first time, teams can run 7-on-7 drills, 9-on-7 drills (run game) and full team 11-on-11 sessions. There are no pads worn, and no contact allowed.

One of the 8 

LB Matt Milano

The Bills are likely to keep a close eye on mobile third-year linebacker Matt Milano in these OTA workouts. His rehab has looked good so far, as he comes back after suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle against the Jets last December. Milano has been participating in the offseason workouts so far and is said to be on schedule to return.

Edited by ShadyBillsFan
  • Like (+1) 3
  • Thank you (+1) 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is when we get to see our first glimpses of the unknown players, who we haven't seen in an NFL game before.  Last year was all about Allen - remember the video with the sound of the ball flying through the air?  This year we don't have that one guy that everyone wants to see.  Here are my thoughts heading into OTA's

 

  • Since OTA's are non-contact, our top two rookies (Oliver and Ford) will have a hard time making headlines.
  • Singletary and Christian Wade will be fun to watch.  They are both shifty and elusive and should break some plays in the flag football world of OTA's
  • How soon can Allen build chemistry with Brown and Beasley?
  • Can Duke Williams and David Sills V make enough plays to crack the roster or even the practice squad?
  • What are the Offensive line combinations to open camp?  There are so many possibilities, it will be nice to see where the coaches start them.

One step closer to real football.  

  • Like (+1) 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Aussie Joe said:

Shady will be the most watched player this offseason by the Management  as they need to determine whether they are paying him $6 Million this year...

I personally am 100% certain he’s getting paid. I think that his on field contributions will be greater this year & his off field locker room contributions are big. 

  • Like (+1) 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kind of an arbitrary "eight guys" in this article. Mike Love? Uh, ok. Personally, I would have a slightly different list of guys that I would want "to watch."  

 

I am looking forward to seeing how D. Williams performs. But, I'm also interested to see who in the RB room might have the ability to break into the triad of McCoy/Gore/Singletary. I'm very interested to see how Kroft fits in, and how the TE depth chart starts to stack up. Looking forward to see if McKenzie can make a case for himself, or is he supplanted by Roberts/Beasley? What will Christian Wade look like? Who do they look at most at RG? 

 

So many things to watch for this time around.

Edited by Rocky Landing
  • Like (+1) 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Kind of an arbitrary "eight guys" in this article. Mike Love? Uh, ok. Personally, I would have a slightly different list of guys that I would want "to watch."  

 

I am looking forward to seeing how D. Williams performs. But, I'm also interested to see who in the RB room might have the ability to break into the triad of McCoy/Gore/Singletary. I'm very interested to see how Kroft fits in, and how the TE depth chart starts to stack up. Looking forward to see if McKenzie can make a case for himself, or is he supplanted by Roberts/Beasley? What will Christian Wade look like? Who do they look at most at RG? 

 

So many things to watch for this time around.

This is true.  Way more than 8.  

 

Curious if the Bills FO has offered them hints as who to watch.  

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/8-players-to-watch-when-bills-otas-begin-on-monday

 

Although it sounds slightly pedantic, OTAs represent the first and best simulated football so far in preseason. The collective bargaining agreement allows each team 10 OTA sessions over the next few weeks which lead into mandatory minicamp. In the OTAs, for the first time, teams can run 7-on-7 drills, 9-on-7 drills (run game) and full team 11-on-11 sessions. There are no pads worn, and no contact allowed.

One of the 8 

LB Matt Milano

The Bills are likely to keep a close eye on mobile third-year linebacker Matt Milano in these OTA workouts. His rehab has looked good so far, as he comes back after suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle against the Jets last December. Milano has been participating in the offseason workouts so far and is said to be on schedule to return.

 

...certainly need him to come back 100% healthy......his absence was noticeable.....

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll mainly be watching Allen and the receivers. It's hard to tell who's performing well in non contact practices but I want to see if Allen is throwing accurately and if receivers are consistently catching the ball. I'm also curious to see what the first offensive line starting alignment looks like.

  • Like (+1) 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I'll mainly be watching Allen and the receivers. It's hard to tell who's performing well in non contact practices but I want to see if Allen is throwing accurately and if receivers are consistently catching the ball. I'm also curious to see what the first offensive line starting alignment looks like.

 

...probably the first priority 'Happy......if we want Allen to be the long term, QB answer, can't have him putting the team on his shoulders weekly...kid will exit the game on a gurney...hope he works on the "touch" throughout camp as in tempering the howitzer when needed.....I think he can do it.....Jordan Palmer is one helluva teacher and Dorsey is a good coaching staff addition IMO....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I'll mainly be watching Allen and the receivers. It's hard to tell who's performing well in non contact practices but I want to see if Allen is throwing accurately and if receivers are consistently catching the ball. I'm also curious to see what the first offensive line starting alignment looks like.

 

Yea the line ups at this stage matter more to me than the plays. 

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Non-contact going to be difficult to get a reasonable assessment.

 

Watch Allen and his accuracy on timing routes with his new receivers.

 

I will be watching the O Line, O Line combinations and try to get a sense of how coordinated and how well coached the O Line is.

 

As many others, Duke Williams, see if he looks slow.

 

Mike Love,  didn't think twice about him they sure showered love comments on the guy.

 

Laugh but I want to see the punting competition.  I am a big fan of Cory Bojorquez

24 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...Duke Williams.....read and posted a quote where McBeane said "the Williams signing diminished the high priority need to draft a WR early on"....stay tuned............

 

Interesting comment.  Not sure how much you can read into that.  I sure hope they werent planning on him being a #1 WR.

Edited by RoyBatty is alive
Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...Duke Williams.....read and posted a quote where McBeane said "the Williams signing diminished the high priority need to draft a WR early on"....stay tuned............

 

McBeane meaning McDermott/Beane or McBeane the TBD member?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Forward Progress said:

 

  • What are the Offensive line combinations to open camp?  There are so many possibilities, it will be nice to see where the coaches start them.


This is pretty much the only thing that will truly be interesting to me. Ty Nsekhe is the wild card. The contract they gave him indicates to me that they may view him as a short term starter. If so, and if it's true they want Ford to start out at RT in hopes of winning that job, does Dawkins get pushed inside to LG? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, HappyDays said:

My prediction for the first starting alignment is:

 

Dawkins - Ducasse - Morse - Long - Ford

Ducasse over Spain/Teller/Feliciano? I can't see that with Bobby Johnson bringing in his own guys. He owes no loyalty to Vlad. Idk about first alignment, but I'm guessing we are looking at 

Dawkins-Spain-Morse-Long-Ford on opening day. Nsehke our swing Tackle, Teller/Feliciano back up guards. Maybe Waddle makes the cut

  • Like (+1) 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, BuffAlone said:

Ducasse over Spain/Teller/Feliciano? I can't see that with Bobby Johnson bringing in his own guys. He owes no loyalty to Vlad. Idk about first alignment, but I'm guessing we are looking at 

Dawkins-Spain-Morse-Long-Ford on opening day. Nsehke our swing Tackle, Teller/Feliciano back up guards. Maybe Waddle makes the cut


I think he was just saying this will be the FIRST alignment. Beane has shown a history of allowing his tenured players get the first crack at starting reps, even if only for a series or two. It's sort of a gesture of respect and acknowledgement. Along those lines, I might agree with the idea except with Teller in place of Ducasse, since that's who ended last season as the starter at LG.

When it's all said and done, my prediction is Dawkins - Teller - Morse - Long - Ford, with Nsekhe as the swing tackle and Feliciano backing up the interior.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...