Yesterday the Bills kicked off their training camp with the first open practice of the year. As is customary, we'll do our best to keep you updated with the results of that training camp in a more condensed format. Here are the major storylines from the most recent practice!
- Gilmore makes a statement: The Bills cornerback decided not to hold out of training camp, in hopes that he could use his on-field performance to negotiate his contract. He started off on the right foot, intercepting Tyrod Taylor on the first play of scrimmage by undercutting the receiver's route. Gilmore also had another pass breakup, and looked like the most dominant player of the day.
- Backup receivers catching success: With Sammy Watkins out, players like Marquise Goodwin, Jarrett Boykin, Dez Lewis, and Greg Little were given chances to rotate in for extra snaps. Several of them took advantage with big plays. Lewis continued right where he left off from OTAs, with several route victories and tough catches. Goodwin immediately worked his way into the offense coming off of his Olympic training and caught a number of underneath passes. A go route specialist to this point, if Goodwin can develop a short game, he'll be able to stick on the roster. Little had the catch of the day, a fadeaway grab near the goalline.
- Marshall Morgan starts out strong: The two-way kicking competition between incumbent Dan Carpenter and the UDFA from Georgia went the way of the rookie today. The practice consisted of kicks from under 45 yards, and while Morgan connected on all five of his attempts, Carpenter missed two of six from 37 and from 40 yards out. It's very difficult to dethrone a veteran kicker, but Morgan started this camp on the right foot.
- James Wilder works with the ones: With Karlos Williams out on the Non-Football Illness list, there was room for a backup to fill in for LeSean McCoy in practice. The beneficiary was not rookie Jonathan Williams, who mostly worked with the second string, but free agent signing James Wilder Jr. Wilder was an undrafted free agent in 2014, a former top high school recruit who had a decent career at Florida State. We'll be tracking his trajectory as he attempts to leap over Mike Gillislee and the Williams pair this summer.
- Corey White has a good day: Another standout from today's practice was the new cornerback signing, who broke up several passes and had tight coverage near the line of scrimmage.
Here are the recaps we gathered for your perusal:
Joe Buscaglia (WKBW) wasn't too impressed with Tyrod Taylor's first practice. He also noted that Jordan Mills was continuing to run with the one's at right tackle.
Matthew Fairburn (NewYorkUpstate) noticed Erik Striker's move from inside linebacker to outside linebacker, and thought that Marquise Goodwin had a strong day.
Sal Capaccio (WGR550) had plenty of notes on the order that players went through drills, and he noticed that the offense was installing the "toss sweep" play against different defensive looks.
Vic Carucci (The Buffalo News) liked the backup receivers, noted that the team was practicing kickoffs that landed inside the five yard line, and had some remarks about the team's new curfew.