OTAs 6/2

[HappyDays]

Quote

It’s hard to remember how shaky Skyler Bell looked during Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp less than a month ago.

 

The Bills’ fourth-round pick had three drops during rookie camp practice. On Tuesday, Buffalo held its final open practice of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and Bell was one of the stand-out performers.

 

Bell, 23, saw more opportunities working with Josh Allen, with third-year receiver Keon Coleman absent for the final open practice. Bell caught three passes during the first 11-on-11 session, providing Allen with a reliable target.

 

Late in practice, Bell was caught off guard when Allen made a check at the line of scrimmage.

 

“I wasn’t fully aware (of what was going on) but luckily I had Khalil Shakir with me,” Bell said. “He was able to help me out a little bit. (Allen’s) knowledge of the game is so crazy. (We know) he’s gonna get us in the right play, right concept, right run.”

 

Bell’s first catch of the day went for a touchdown when Allen worked through his progressions to find the speedy pass catcher. Bell patiently let the play develop and made himself available to Allen throughout his route before receiving a perfectly placed pass in the middle of the field. Bell made the catch and quickly cut upfield, splitting cornerback Christian Benford and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for a would-be 40ish-yard touchdown.

 

[Cubanmist 1]

3 hours ago, HappyDays said:

I wonder what's going on with Jackson Acker? I don't think he's been present on any of the media availability days. For a UDFA trying to make the roster in a specialty role, feels weird.

Agreed. Same with James Cook. You’d think after getting paid that he would show up to these OTAs.

[Pete]

11 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Skyler Bell, DJ Moore stand out in Final Practice 

 

Hallelujah

 

 

[BobbyC81]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

Not seen Keon and Dion.

 

These are 2 Bills that need to improve on last season.  I’m not sure why these 2 are not there.  But they have been talking they want to be better this year.  Actions, Not Words.  Let’s see it!

Yeah, if Coleman is just not showing up because it’s voluntary, that wouldn’t bode well for him.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, oldmanfan said:

I think we’re going to see more of an attack mode on both sides of the ball.  More focus on the passing game on offense (Cook could have a huge year catching the ball) and playing downhill on defense.

With Cook’s speed, it would be nice to see some deep throws to him with a LB covering.

 

I was glad to hear Josh wanting to work on the deep ball.  Having arguably the strongest arm in the league, he’s been woefully bad on deep throws.

Edited June 2 by BobbyC81

[Pete]

13 minutes ago, BobbyC81 said:

Yeah, if Coleman is just not showing up because it’s voluntary, that wouldn’t bode well for him.

 

 

 

 

I guess Keon does not know who Wally Pipp is. Bills WRs were making plays all day.   Come on Keon you have to try harder.  You get one shot.  Don’t keep sliding down the depth chart.  Keon, you can do it, if you can dedicate, big if IMO prove me wrong Keon I’m rooting for you

[HappyDays]

51 minutes ago, Pete said:

Skyler Bell, DJ Moore stand out in Final Practice 

 

Hallelujah

 

 

 

I want to keep my expectations in check but it's hard not to get excited about Bell's skill set in this offense. I'm sure the OTA environment is especially favorable for him because the full speed physicality isn't there so that helps his skill set shine, but the twitchiness pops off the tape. With him it's going to be about learning all the nuances of an NFL offense. From day one I don't see any reason he couldn't be at least a functional separation specialist out of the slot, and then we just wait to see how high the ceiling can go.

[DeepPass]

I hate to say this - but - I will.  There are too many new faces trying to coach the Bills!  

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

I want to keep my expectations in check but it's hard not to get excited about Bell's skill set in this offense. I'm sure the OTA environment is especially favorable for him because the full speed physicality isn't there so that helps his skill set shine, but the twitchiness pops off the tape. With him it's going to be about learning all the nuances of an NFL offense. From day one I don't see any reason he couldn't be at least a functional separation specialist out of the slot, and then we just wait to see how high the ceiling can go.

If Keon keeps up with his antics - a no show on OTAs, lack of effort and quitting on plays, being late for meetings,  I wouldn't be surprised to see Bell getting all of Keons snaps.

 

Bell is the breath of fresh air this WR corp desperately needs.

 

Plus Bell really wants it

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

I guess Keon does not know who Wally Pipp is. Bills WRs were making plays all day.   Come on Keon you have to try harder.  You get one shot.  Don’t keep sliding down the depth chart.  Keon, you can do it, if you can dedicate, big if IMO prove me wrong Keon I’m rooting for you

Maybe he has told his agent he doesn't want to be here. Yeah he is putting in the work but maybe he wants to go somewhere else?  I'm just spit balling here.

[Big Blitz]

4 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

as far as I’m concerned he’s not on the team

 

 

 

I want him off this team.  We don’t need another Curtis Samuel.  Those 2 are shaping up as the 2 worst/dumbest signings in the Beane era.   

[holla83]

15 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

Of course he's been around a terrific coach and you can absorb some of that 

 

But when you're the right hand man of somebody for 15 years like Sean Payton.. and you never rise up the ranks it's because you're always considered Robin 

 

I think he's good at what he does but Josh Allen is already a superstar.. and developed... He's been around 3 quarterback coaches and offensive coordinators who have become NFL head coaches he's not lacking in coaching honestly 

 

You need an offensive coordinator and I think it's a solid hire.. but the missing piece for the bills Super bowl is adding a few better players 

 

Not this new offensive coordinator at the end of the day.. Josh and Joe Brady are going to keep humming regardless

 

Joe Brady was Allen's quarterback coach and offensive coordinator and he's still going to be calling plays

 

Carmichael needs to be the level headed veteran assistant in the meeting rooms and in the film rooms

Dick LeBeau was a disaster as a head coach. But he was one of the greats as a defensive coordinator. Some people just have their niche when it comes to coaching.

[EssexBill]

15 hours ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

His route running reminds me so much of Diggs. Twitchy feet, quick, crisp cuts with sudden acceleration. Here's hoping his star rises just like Stefon's did.

💯

 

And he doesn’t spend half his time shopping for yellow jackets in macys 

[Kirby Jackson]

12 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

I want to keep my expectations in check but it's hard not to get excited about Bell's skill set in this offense. I'm sure the OTA environment is especially favorable for him because the full speed physicality isn't there so that helps his skill set shine, but the twitchiness pops off the tape. With him it's going to be about learning all the nuances of an NFL offense. From day one I don't see any reason he couldn't be at least a functional separation specialist out of the slot, and then we just wait to see how high the ceiling can go.

This is the most generic analysis ever but, “he just looked like an NFL receiver to me last year.” Bell is a guy that I was pretty high on because he looks like he can get open. He doesn’t feel like a 1 trick pony that could play a specific role. He looks like a guy that can be a dependable number 2. What does Romeo Doubs do that Skyler Bell doesn’t? I’m open to Bell being in the mix to play opposite Moore. I hope that he wins that battle. 

[sunshynman]

15 hours ago, Dr Krentist said:

 

I know it's only OTAs, but if Keon is serious about getting better after saying his last year was ass, he needs to be there (barring any emergencies or illness). Also, Moore took a huge shot from Benford? They can hit at OTAs?

I'm like DON'T break Josh's new toy!

[BuffaloBillyG]

Lots of negativity on Keon not being there. But do we even know what he wasn't? Maybe he had a legitimate reason not to be there. 

 

Can we collectively stop clutching our pearls until we at least know why he didn't attend?

[Sweats]

12 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

I want to keep my expectations in check but it's hard not to get excited about Bell's skill set in this offense. I'm sure the OTA environment is especially favorable for him because the full speed physicality isn't there so that helps his skill set shine, but the twitchiness pops off the tape. With him it's going to be about learning all the nuances of an NFL offense. From day one I don't see any reason he couldn't be at least a functional separation specialist out of the slot, and then we just wait to see how high the ceiling can go.

 

 

 

Bell is the guy i'm most interested in watching come game time. I think he can be an absolute weapon in this O and he seems to have his head on straight and wants to succeed.

 

It'll be interesting where he finally comes out in the depth chart after TC.

[stlbills13]

11 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Lots of negativity on Keon not being there. But do we even know what he wasn't? Maybe he had a legitimate reason not to be there. 

 

Can we collectively stop clutching our pearls until we at least know why he didn't attend?

 

I agree with you but if I'm Keon's agent or part of his camp, I am making sure every single media person (local and national) knows why he is missing a day of OTA's BEFORE it happens if there is a valid excuse. 

[Kirby Jackson]

31 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Lots of negativity on Keon not being there. But do we even know what he wasn't? Maybe he had a legitimate reason not to be there. 

 

Can we collectively stop clutching our pearls until we at least know why he didn't attend?

100% agree. I vowed in a different thread to not react to anything Keon related until the regular season is underway. I don’t care if he misses voluntary workouts. I don’t care if he dominates camp. I don’t care if he calls Josh Allen overrated. Nothing matters except the results. Keon not being there is irrelevant to me. He will earn his spot or he won’t. No more Keon offseason stories will move me.

[BuffaloBillyG]

31 minutes ago, stlbills13 said:

 

I agree with you but if I'm Keon's agent or part of his camp, I am making sure every single media person (local and national) knows why he is missing a day of OTA's BEFORE it happens if there is a valid excuse. 

Ok. But here's the point a lot of people don't understand. Maybe there are reasons that Johnny Fan isn't really entitled to know about. I know, in this day and age the thought that we can't have every bit of private information of others at our fingertips is strange and unusual. 

 

Maybe he had a flu bug. Maybe he had some bad wings and couldn't stop crapping. Maybe he had a dentist appointment. None of that is my business. I'm sure the team knows why he wasn't there and are fine with it. 

[SoonerBillsFan]

8 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Ok. But here's the point a lot of people don't understand. Maybe there are reasons that Johnny Fan isn't really entitled to know about. I know, in this day and age the thought that we can't have every bit of private information of others at our fingertips is strange and unusual. 

 

Maybe he had a flu bug. Maybe he had some bad wings and couldn't stop crapping. Maybe he had a dentist appointment. None of that is my business. I'm sure the team knows why he wasn't there and are fine with it. 

Are they?  It could as easily be " where the hell is Keyon...he knows his arse needs to be here"

 

Look, Coleman as been bad so far and not lived up to his draft status.  For all the BS regarding Terry's comment, he had to be on thin ice as is.