2019 Buffalo Bills Training Camp recap: Day 2

After the Buffalo Bills’ offense launched training camp with a surprisingly competent session, the defense battled back in a big way for day two. Defenders shut down plays left and right, with Tremaine Edmunds and E.J. Gaines getting in the mix for pass breakups. Dean Marlowe intercepted one of Josh Allen’s tipped passes in the 11-on-11 session. The offensive players did themselves no favors, with a slew of drops and overthrows from each set of players. At one point, within five minutes, Robert Foster, Isaiah McKenzie, Ray Ray McCloud III, and Dawson Knox had each dropped a pass, and Brian Daboll yelled at the offense to focus better.

Following that moment, Josh Allen flipped a switch and started threading the needle for a few narrow completions over the middle. The offense hit a groove, but still couldn’t find pay dirt to the same extent they’d had in yesterday’s practice. All-in-all, it was the defense’s day.

Positional Battles

Offensive line

Spencer Long worked at first-team right guard today, pushing Jon Feliciano down to the second string. Cody Ford continued working with the starters. The coaching staff also tinkered with the backups, placing Ty Nsekhe at left tackle and LaAdrian Waddle on the right.

Cornerback

One of the starting spots was a rotation today, with Levi Wallace, Kevin Johnson, and E.J. Gaines all taking turns at outside cornerback with the first string.

Wide receiver

While John Brown, Cole Beasley, and Zay Jones were the top three receivers again, both Robert Foster and Andre Roberts took reps with the starters today. At this point, the bigger drama may be among the half-dozen wideouts vying to be the sixth player in the group on the 53-man roster.

Safety

Rookie JaQuan Johnson was seen practicing with the second string today alongside Kurt Coleman, in an upset over Dean Marlowe. The other person of interest is second-year defensive back Siran Neal. While he’s been a third-string safety so far, he seems to be the team’s lead gunner, and they’ve also been giving him reps at nickel cornerback.

Injury Report

Tight end Jason Croom was the only Buffalo Bill missing from today’s practice. The coaches announced that Croom is dealing with a hamstring injury, and apparently it’s the same hamstring that he dealt with during OTAs in the spring. Croom’s absence gave more reps to Dawson Knox and Lee Smith on the first string.

LeSean McCoy came out of practice at one point, having his left heel looked at by a trainer. He was taken out for a period of time, but returned for a few reps near the end of the session.

Miscellaneous

• This quote from Sean McDermott:

• It was “superhero and princess day” at training camp today, hence... Bills Darth Vader?

• Your daily dose of Brian Daboll alchemy: A designed QB run, off a fake jet action handoff to motion receive Cole Beasley, with two pulling offensive linemen.
• The Bills have been focusing on situational football early in camp. Yesterday was red-zone work. Today it was no-huddle plays, complete with coaches wearing headsets for calling plays.
• Ed Oliver was still working with the second string today, but he had a great rep during practice, bulling the 6’8” 320 pound Ty Nsekhe right into Matt Barkley’s space.
• Tyree Jackson is two-for-two on being the first player out onto the practice field. Someone get that kid a lunch pail.
• For fantasy purposes, keep watching John Brown, Cole Beasley, and Dawson Knox. Early on, they seem to be the players with the most to gain in terms of target opportunity.