Bills camp practice recap 8/1: Streater, Tolbert excelling

Tuesday’s practice from Buffalo Bills training camp is in the books. Today gave us a sense of some movement in Buffalo’s depth chart, as well as a couple of glimpses into the type of offense Rick Dennison is scheming for the team. Here’s what you need to know:

Offense starts strong, defense catches up

The Bills did a lot of work with 11-on-11 practices and red zone reps on Tuesday. Early on, the offense had the upper hand on the day’s work. Each quarterback found a rhythm at the goal line, with a handful of touchdowns being scored. Receiver Rod Streater and running back Mike Tolbert, in particular, had strong days.

Then the defense battled back. Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, and Adolphus Washington began to shut down the offensive line, and Tre’davious White and Shareece Wright added to the pass break-up tally. Aside from the occasional broken play, the defense looked to be coming out on top at the end of practice.

Shuffling and competition in the second string

While most of Buffalo’s starting cast has locked down assignments, there’s plenty of action among the twos and threes as the depth chart begins to sort itself out.

On the defensive line, pass rusher Eddie Yarbrough was promoted to the second string after a string of good practices. The player he usurped, Max Valles, responded to the demotion with a few sacks during today’s practice.

The tight end battle may not have carried many expectations heading into camp, but Logan Thomas and Jason Croom have traded strong practice reps as both vie to stick on the roster. At the moment, the athletic Thomas, who converted from quarterback last season, has solidified a spot as the third option behind Charles Clay and Nick O’Leary.

At linebacker, sixth round pick Tanner Vallejo took first team reps in place of the resting Lorenzo Alexander as the SAM linebacker. He also filled in for this role at Sunday’s practice. For the moment, fellow rookie Matt Milano doesn’t appear to be working in with the first team defense yet. First-year linebacker Jacob Lindsey, a Harvard graduate, also worked his way into the mix with the second team.

Injury report

A few veterans had rest days, and LeSean McCoy sat out with an illness. Marcell Dareus made a return to action from his hamstring injury. You can see the morning’s full injury report here.

During the practice, a few players suffered minor injuries, but both returned before the end of practice. Walter Powell landed awkwardly on his foot, and B.T. Sanders injured his hand.

Odds and ends

• Were you, perhaps, frustrated with Buffalo’s lack of screen passing over the past two seasons? It looks like the team might be emphasizing it under Rick Dennison.
• Along with screen passes, it looks like the flat areas of the field are emphasized. That will suit Tyrod Taylor’s preferences for sideline throwing. The creativity of the scheme appears to carry on from the exciting style Anthony Lynn and Greg Roman used the past two years.
• What’s the deal with Reggie Ragland? Last year’s second round pick still has yet to take a first team rep, even as players like Matt Milano and Vallejo get reps as outside linebackers. In Tuesday’s press conference, McDermott spoke with muted comments about Ragland’s readiness, saying they were treating him like a rookie. Anyone else feel that doesn’t jive, when compared with players like Lawson and Vallejo?
• This, here, is my favorite part of following the training camp feeds: