Bills Training Camp: Day 4 - 7/28

[Cripple Creek]

14 hours ago, Troll Toll said:

I respect your assessment, but some of the posts in this thread give off the vibe that by Day 4 of camp it is already crisis mode for Foster. So he lined up wrong on a play, big deal. The roster has changed, but I don’t think there has been any major shift in the way the coaches feel about Foster. I think we’re witnessing the outcome of adding 2 WR moreso than we are seeing any kind of punishment to Foster.

I just don't see that, at all, literally.  I guess we see what we want to see, myself included. I see some concern balanced by two crowds who sometimes overlap.  There's the talent is so much better this year crowd and the Foster needs motivation and McDermott is providing it crowd.

 

Crisis? Why is it a crisis if the best group is on the field?

[GunnerBill]

23 minutes ago, eball said:

 

For the love of god, why?  If there is any time to get excited and "pumped up" it's now!  We've got an up-and-coming HC, a young stud at QB, a roster finally brimming with talent, and a front office that is actually following through on a plan!

 

I read posts "worrying" about this and that -- a post earlier in this thread is by someone apparently "terrified" about how a player may let him down.  Get a grip!  If you can't have fun with this team after all we've been through as Bills fans please consult your mental health professional immediately!  BBFS has a cure!

 

 

 

What are we now? 9 or 10 days out from the first pre-season game? Whatever the season - even the years like last year when I have expected us to be bad - I am pumped for that first pre-season game let alone the first regular season game. You are only guaranteed 16 regular season games and 4 pre season games each year. I appreciate every single one of them. That I think we have a chance to be good this year is all the better. 

[PromoTheRobot]

37 minutes ago, eball said:

 

For the love of god, why?  If there is any time to get excited and "pumped up" it's now!  We've got an up-and-coming HC, a young stud at QB, a roster finally brimming with talent, and a front office that is actually following through on a plan!

 

I read posts "worrying" about this and that -- a post earlier in this thread is by someone apparently "terrified" about how a player may let him down.  Get a grip!  If you can't have fun with this team after all we've been through as Bills fans please consult your mental health professional immediately!  BBFS has a cure!

 

 

 

Fear of being let down. Just relax and enjoy the ride. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

11 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

That’s why some of the bloggers are pissed that the Bills won’t credential them. As far as I know, other teams don’t credential bloggers either. 

 

anyone  can claim to be a blogger. 

 

You have to build your record of blogs over the years and show them you are (somewhat) legit.   

 

It can't be that hard ... could it?   File paperwork, pay the processing fee and Bob's your Uncle. 

 

 

/sarc

Edited July 29, 2019 by ShadyBillsFan

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

9 hours ago, ganesh said:

 

One of the things I am curious to know: Over four days of practice, everyone online and at the camp have been non-stop talking about the offense.  Look at all of Astro's notes....so focused on offense (or offense centric).  Usually at this time of the year, the defense is well ahead of offense.  However, not a peep about the defense.  

 

First to reiterate this point  - 4 days of camp.  Nothing has been decided in those 4 days.  (I guess you can get an idea if a guy is clueless) 

 

I have heard, read, seen vids of the Defense. (by default, who intercepted Josh), but to your point...   

 

I think there is a lot of excitement on the offence more than the D is because of all the changes to the O-Line and Receiving core and RB's. 

Edited July 29, 2019 by ShadyBillsFan

[PromoTheRobot]

17 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

 

anyone  can claim to be a blogger. 

 

You have to build your record of blogs over the years and show them you are (somewhat) legit.   

 

It can't be that hard ... could it?   File paperwork, pay the processing fee and Bob's your Uncle. 

 

You'd think Astro has the resume after all these years. But pro franchises in every sport are selective with who gets to cover them.

Edited July 29, 2019 by PromoTheRobot

[GunnerBill]

6 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

 

First to reiterate this point  - 4 days of camp.  Nothing has been decided in those 4 days.  (I guess you can get an idea if a guy is clueless) 

 

I have heard, read, seen vids of the Defense. (by default, who intercepted Josh), but to your point...   

 

I think there is a lot of excitement on the offence more then the D is because of all the changes to the O-Line and Receiving core and RB's. 

 

The best new from the D so far us that Edmunds has been properly flying about and looks much improved. I was a huge fan of the pick he was my 8th highest graded player in that draft and the Bills getting him where they did was a steal in my mind. But I did not love his play on the field last year. He made some sensational plays but his fundamentals on the every down stuff were sloppy. He was the same in college though made a big jump year 1 to year 2 - I am hopeful we see that again. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Taken from Astro's notes... notice how many times Foster's name show up... there's a reason for that:

 

Gunner summed it up:

"I make that Foster 5; Zay 5; Beasley 4; Brown 3 (but we know he has had significant snaps every day); Then 2 for McKenzie and one for Cam Phillips."

 

I'm not sure what your point is here.   The reason Foster's name shows up is that the team likes him and wants to give him every chance

But these are only 7 out of 24 or so plays in (I think) the team portion of practice.  It doesn't reflect the team's depth chart now or in the season.

 

Based on what's been reported so far, if you think Foster and Zay are seeing the field more than Beasley and Brown now or will get more during the season unless injuries (avert), I don't know what to tell you
 

 

[ALF]

The coaches know what they have in Beasley and John Brown. They are trying to get Foster and Zay to progress   jmo

[aristocrat]

https://apple.news/AU2NpqsZuQgmlJ6NkxHueIw

 

rough day at camp for Sam. Imagine what this board would be like?

[Royale with Cheese]

9 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

https://apple.news/AU2NpqsZuQgmlJ6NkxHueIw

 

rough day at camp for Sam. Imagine what this board would be like?

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

22 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

https://apple.news/AU2NpqsZuQgmlJ6NkxHueIw

 

rough day at camp for Sam. Imagine what this board would be like?

 

Awwww, we'd be all making excuses...errrr, finding exculpatory explanations.  The defense is always ahead of the offense this time of year.  Look at all the drops he had!  We just need to clean the rust off and get those WR to focus.  He's not throwing picks - he's making good decisions.  etc.

[jletha]

32 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Awwww, we'd be all making excuses...errrr, finding exculpatory explanations.  The defense is always ahead of the offense this time of year.  Look at all the drops he had!  We just need to clean the rust off and get those WR to focus.  He's not throwing picks - he's making good decisions.  etc.

 This is exactly right. Along with many people calling the people making those excuses delusional.

 

One of my favorite excuses was "Theyre not running their normal offense, theyre working on stuff hes not good at since its just preseason. Thats why he looked bad!"

[eball]

Seems to me as though McD is really developing and honing his craft as well.  Reports of crisp, efficient practices with no wasted effort.  Situational work as a focus early in training camp (as opposed to running basic drills and getting everyone "up to speed").  Individual coaching among the position groups.  This is all the result of McD's leadership and how he has learned over his first two seasons on the job.

 

The Buffalo Bills are running like a well-oiled, established, professional organization!  Let's all keep our fingers crossed the injury bug doesn't bite worse and get ready for a fun season!

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

but does he really have possession of the ball?

4 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

 

 

 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

 

1 minute ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

but does he really have possession of the ball?

damn straight...

Edited July 29, 2019 by DaBillsFanSince1973

[C.Biscuit97]

3 hours ago, aristocrat said:

https://apple.news/AU2NpqsZuQgmlJ6NkxHueIw

 

rough day at camp for Sam. Imagine what this board would be like?

Reminds me of a thread some posters started laughing at Mahomes for having a bad training camp practice last year.

 

its great the access we have but it’s so overblown. You try things in practice that you might not do in a game.  Also, it’s the time to make mistakes.  And as we see every year, preseason really has no impact on the regular season.  But it’s still football and it’s awesome.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

 

 

 

 

[aristocrat]

10 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Reminds me of a thread some posters started laughing at Mahomes for having a bad training camp practice last year.

 

its great the access we have but it’s so overblown. You try things in practice that you might not do in a game.  Also, it’s the time to make mistakes.  And as we see every year, preseason really has no impact on the regular season.  But it’s still football and it’s awesome.

 

im not reading too much into it. maybe their line looking bad and blowing bell up in the back

[Stank_Nasty]

3 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Awwww, we'd be all making excuses...errrr, finding exculpatory explanations.  The defense is always ahead of the offense this time of year.  Look at all the drops he had!  We just need to clean the rust off and get those WR to focus.  He's not throwing picks - he's making good decisions.  etc.

well lets just be happy we havnt had to take that route yet!

[C.Biscuit97]

8 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

 

im not reading too much into it. maybe their line looking bad and blowing bell up in the back

I mean he and the Jets could suck.  But it’s just weird how much stock some fans put in practice reports (we are all excited).  I just remember when I played, we would have terrible practices, coaches would scream at us and make us run until we couldn’t walk, then they would cancel the next practice because we suck.  Then, we would have a great practice and they loved us again.  

 

I dont think the Bills in the 90s even practiced in training camp haha.

[whatdrought]

What the heck is the point of days off? Just give me more football you selfish buggers!

[transplantbillsfan]

4 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Gunner summed it up:

"I make that Foster 5; Zay 5; Beasley 4; Brown 3 (but we know he has had significant snaps every day); Then 2 for McKenzie and one for Cam Phillips."

 

I'm not sure what your point is here.   The reason Foster's name shows up is that the team likes him and wants to give him every chance

But these are only 7 out of 24 or so plays in (I think) the team portion of practice.  It doesn't reflect the team's depth chart now or in the season.

 

Based on what's been reported so far, if you think Foster and Zay are seeing the field more than Beasley and Brown now or will get more during the season unless injuries (avert), I don't know what to tell you
 

 

 

The bolded was my point exactly 

Edited July 29, 2019 by transplantbillsfan

[Hapless Bills Fan]

30 minutes ago, Stank_Nasty said:

well lets just be happy we havnt had to take that route yet!

 

I am happy!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

54 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

 

 

 

 

 

Yo!  Folks who have been commenting on the offense- and passing game- centered nature of Astro and other camp coverage - check out the 2nd link from Sean Murphy at Buffalo Rumblings.  Got some good detail on the defense, what Ed Oliver is being coached up on, who's running with the 2nds and the 3rds on the DL.
 

Some good writing too - Josh Allen and Beasley doing karate in the garage ??

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/bills-minute-secondary-receiving-praise

 

Bills Minute: Secondary Receiving Praise

 

QB Josh Allen and HC Sean McDermott both speak on the hard work and efforts of the secondary thus far. LB Tremaine Edmunds speaks to continuity and working as one.

[Augie]

56 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

 

im not reading too much into it. maybe their line looking bad and blowing bell up in the back

 

Bell left $14 million and the Steelers Oline in the rear view mirror. He may learn to regret that.    

[IDBillzFan]

1 hour ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

but does he really have possession of the ball?

 

That's a situational question.

 

Did it appear that he maintain possession all the way to the ground?

 

Then yes, it's a catch.

 

Did his catch occur in the end zone to give the Steelers the lead in the final seconds of a game vs. NE*?? 

 

Then no, it's not a catch.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

 

 

[scribo]

On 7/28/2019 at 9:03 AM, MAJBobby said:

 

So sad it has now taken 4 days of Practice and one of those in pads and the flagship station of WGR finally covers a live practice. 

Really, it was abysmal coverage at that. Somehow they managed to put the show's host (Nate) in a spot that he could not see the field from! So they had Sal reporting from the field, but Nate talked over him, asking the same old things over and over, barely stopping every few minutes to get a few words from Sal. Meanwhile, we could hear oohs, cheers and other reactions from the crowd. It was beyond frustrating. Couldn't have been produced any worse. WGR owes its listeners a whole lot better.

[CNY315]

 

[PromoTheRobot]

...

7 hours ago, Stank_Nasty said:

well lets just be happy we haven't had to take that route yet!

 

I don't know. I get the feeling there's a lot of pent up negativity waiting to pour out with the next bad performance. We're not used to this much competency.  I listened to Jerry Sullivan's podcasts today and the guy sounds like he's withering away. He's got nothing to go off on. He's even begging his reporter guests for any crumb of bad news from Bills camp.

[Stank_Nasty]

27 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

...

 

I don't know. I get the feeling there's a lot of pent up negativity waiting to pour out with the next bad performance. We're not used to this much competency.  I listened to Jerry Sullivan's podcasts today and the guy sounds like he's withering away. He's got nothing to go off on. He's even begging his reporter guests for any crumb of bad news from Bills camp.

Oh there are definitely a handful of members here just licking there chops waiting for that first rough day from Allen. 

[Green Lightning]

15 hours ago, eball said:

 

For the love of god, why?  If there is any time to get excited and "pumped up" it's now!  We've got an up-and-coming HC, a young stud at QB, a roster finally brimming with talent, and a front office that is actually following through on a plan!

 

I read posts "worrying" about this and that -- a post earlier in this thread is by someone apparently "terrified" about how a player may let him down.  Get a grip!  If you can't have fun with this team after all we've been through as Bills fans please consult your mental health professional immediately!  BBFS has a cure!

 

 

Been a die hard fan since 1963. Pumping up every TC can wear on you, but I can tell it's happening again. My wife says I'll never learn and that's likely so!

[transplantbillsfan]

https://theathletic.com/1104285/2019/07/29/through-four-days-of-bills-camp-thoughts-and-analysis-on-all-91-players/

Wide receiver

If the first four days are any indication, Brown and Beasley will be front and center of the Bills’ passing attack in 2019. Brown has already shown off his deep-route ability to beat the defender, track the ball over his shoulder and complete the catch. It’s his intermediate route running to the sidelines, however, that’s largely underrated. The route complements Allen’s arm strength just as much as the deep ball. The early signs for this connection are all positive.

 

As for Beasley’s footwork and route set-up are, I can recall only one Bills receiver in recent memory who was as agile: Stevie Johnson. Beasley reads the defender much like a ball-handler in basketball when trying to set up a crossover. It took a few misfires through the first two days, but Allen and Beasley got on the same page in a big way when the pads went on over the weekend. On Sunday, it resulted in six receptions on 17 pass attempts.

 

Zay Jones and Robert Foster have their work cut out for them if they want to be prolific pieces of this offense. Outside of an early red-zone catch and coaches vocally admiring his route-running, Jones has been mostly silent. Despite the lack of targets, Jones has been working primarily with the first-team offense. The former second-round pick also sat out of team drills Sunday for an undisclosed reason and was spotted speaking with members of the medical staff after practice. Foster has been working mostly with the second unit as Brown’s primary backup. Although Foster is considerably taller than Brown, they have similar skill sets, and the second-year player has flocked to the veteran as a mentor. Through four days, Foster is firmly the fourth wide receiver.

 

Andre Roberts has worked on both the inside and outside of the formation. Along with his returning duties, he seems entrenched as the fifth receiver on the depth chart. The battle for the sixth spot starts with slot man Ray-Ray McCloud. The 2018 sixth-round pick returned to Buffalo with a more chiseled physique and it’s showed so far in on-field results. Victor Bolden Jr. had a strong spring but has since disappeared, working behind both Brown and Foster. Cam Phillips, as he did last summer, has made some flashy plays that have created more opportunities for him — including time with the first unit in Jones’ normal spot on Sunday. Undrafted slot receiver Nick Easley has also provided some spark with the third-team offense. Isaiah McKenzie, Duke Williams and David Sills V have all faded into the background at camp.

[ganesh]

6 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

...

 

I don't know. I get the feeling there's a lot of pent up negativity waiting to pour out with the next bad performance. We're not used to this much competency.  I listened to Jerry Sullivan's podcasts today and the guy sounds like he's withering away. He's got nothing to go off on. He's even begging his reporter guests for any crumb of bad news from Bills camp.

Exactly.  This is what people did after the bad pre-season against the Bengals last year.  

[Passepartout]

Wow both TE's down. Hope they are OK!