PITTSFORD — Tuesday featured fewer fans than the first two days of training camp, but the action continued to ramp up as important spots on the Bills roster remain up for grabs.
The Bills’ offense struggled to find consistency on Day 3, as it was again outshined by the defense, which asserted itself as the most impressive unit of the morning. Buffalo offensive lineman Rodger Saffold remained sidelined with a rib injury, while wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Jake Kumerow were held out of practice due to muscle tightness.
Here are a few more in-depth observations from the sidelines at St. John Fisher University:
The Bills’ defense has performed well early on during camp, particularly on Monday when it intercepted Bills quarterbacks at least four times. While it didn’t cause as many turnovers on Tuesday, the ‘D’ did manage to get its hands on several passes, with the Bills’ D-line reaching up to bat at least three balls out of the air at the line of scrimmage during team drills. Jordan Phillips was one Bills defensive lineman to record a batted pass, knocking a ball thrown by Josh Allen out of the air with two hands during the team session. Phillips has been solid on the field and has also displayed strong leadership through the early days of his return to the Bills. On Sunday, Phillips was seen encouraging his teammates as his position group ran from drill to drill. Phillips was in the ear of Buffalo cornerback Nick McCloud before McCloud went on to intercept two passes on Monday. Phillips was at it again on Tuesday, this time leading with his performance on the field.
If Phillips can regenerate all that he brought to the table during the 2019 season when he powered the Bills with 9.5 sacks and as an emotional leader, boy, what a boon that would be for the Bills’ defense. So far, so good for the eight-year veteran.
At least one thing is clear through the first three days of 2022 Bills Training Camp: the Bills like what rookie running back James Cook brings to the table. That may be understating things, as the former University of Georgia Bulldog has been all over the field, breaking off big run after big run while playing a significant role in the passing game during team drills. Cook is as smooth an athlete as you’ll see and routinely makes the extraordinary play appear ordinary.
Near the midpoint of Tuesday’s team session, Cook caught a pass from Case Keenum in the flat and proceeded to juke a Bills linebacker out of his shoes. It was a slick move that Cook made look easy.
On Monday, Stefon Diggs, who played with Cook’s brother, Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, in Minnesota, commented on how he sees some similarities between the Bills’ first-year back and his Pro Bowl sibling.
“The apple don’t fall far from the tree,” said Diggs. “I think we got a good one. Hopefully, it pans out, but he’s done some great things. He’s a professional. He looks smooth — he’s a real smooth running back. Hopefully, he can add to this offense that we got.”
Returning starter Devin Singletary has looked the part at the beginning of camp. What’s been most impressive about his early-camp performance has been his consistency in receiving the ball out of the backfield. On Tuesday, Singletary caught several passes and turned a number of them into good yardage.
The casual fan may not know much about reserve tight end Quintin Morris, who the Bills brought in as an undrafted free agent last season and spent most of the season on the practice squad. Quietly, Morris has been one of the bright spots of training camp, making catch after catch, including a sliding grab in the end zone during Sunday’s red zone work and a bobbling catch near the midpoint of Tuesday’s practice.
Incumbent starter Dawson Knox and new Bills tight end O.J. Howard, who the team signed in free agency, sit above Morris on the depth chart. But if Morris continues to make plays, he will find himself on the practice squad where he very well could be an injury away from getting an opportunity to contribute.
Upon exiting the field after practice, Josh Allen began signing autographs for a group of fans near the tunnel. Per WROC’s Thad Brown, two young fans, brothers from Rochester, were standing within the group without merchandise for Allen to sign. According to Brown, that was when the Bills’ face of the franchise did what not many other professional athletes would think to do — he took off his cleats, signed them and handed them to the two lucky fans.
Look no further than this gesture to understand why Allen is so beloved by Bills fans everywhere. He understands what it means to be a professional athlete and the great responsibility that privilege carries with it. Bills fans are lucky to have him as their quarterback.
The Bills will return to the practice field on Wednesday in front of another full-scale crowd at SJF. Day 4 of Bills Training Camp will kick off at 9:45 a.m.
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