Happy 716 Day, Buffalo Bills fans! In today’s edition of the Bills daily links, we take a look at the state of the Bills’ tight ends heading into training camp, led by Dawson Knox, who needs to rebound from a subpar 2020 campaign while finding a way to elevate his play this year.
We continue to dissect Buffalo’s positional groups heading into training camp, breaking down the state of both the offensive and defensive lines, predicting the positional battles to watch and identifying who makes the 53-man roster, and who ends up being a training camp cut.
Speaking of training camp, we run down the recently released training camp schedule, which starts July 28 and features three practices open to Bills fans at Highmark Stadium—July 31, Aug. 7 and Sept. 7.
We learn why the multidimensional Reggie Gilliam is one of the most intriguing players on Buffalo’s roster, hear from Eric Wood on why the Bills should work to extend All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen as soon as possible, identify which rookies will make the biggest impact this year, discover why Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly is rooting for Allen to shatter all of his franchise passing records, and much more!
Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
NFL salary cap: Dion Dawkins isn’t even a Top 10 left tackle - Buffalo Rumblings
Last August, the Buffalo Bills and left tackle Dion Dawkins agreed on a four-year, $58.3 million contract ($29.5 million guaranteed). When he signed the deal, it was a top-five contract among NFL left tackles.
Buffalo Bills training camp roster preview: Linebackers - Buffalo Rumblings
We continue our look at the roster heading into training camp with the linebackers.
Analysis: Predicting turnovers for the Buffalo Bills in 2021 - Buffalo Rumblings
Analytics and guesswork come together for another year!
Buffalo Bills announce three public training camp practices - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills will hold at least three public practices during their 2021 training camp.
Buffalo Bills quietly promote Ken Dorsey to passing game coordinator - Buffalo Rumblings
Dorsey received a promotion with little fanfare and the team never announced the move.
Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres foundations sponsoring Give 716 on July 16th - Buffalo Rumblings
Happy 716 Day, Buffalo Bills fans. July 16th is celebrated locally every year because the area code for Western New York is 716.
90 Buffalo Bills scouting reports in 90 days: offensive lineman Jamil Douglas - Buffalo Rumblings
The former Tennessee Titans lineman is looking to stick in Orchard Park.
Additional Bills news from around the web
Previewing Buffalo’s tight ends
Bills training camp position preview: Tight end all about how Dawson Knox does in third season | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“For the time being, hope for an upgrade at tight end hinges mainly on Dawson Knox not only rebounding from a disappointing 2020 season, but taking his game to a higher level,” writes Vic Carucci.
Difficult roster decisions abound along the defensive line
Bills training camp position preview: All eyes on the defensive line | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“How will General Manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott sort out the logjam of talent?”
Sorting through the talent along the offensive line
Bills training camp positional preview: Will Cody Ford be a starter on the interior offensive line? – The Athletic
“The Bills’ offensive line may not have been perfect, but bringing back the same starting five along with some competitive depth should help the team make a smooth transition into 2021,” writes Matthew Fairburn. (Subscription required).
Training camp schedule released
Buffalo Bills release training camp schedule; 3 dates open to fans - newyorkupstate.com
Bills open training camp on Wednesday, July 28.
Bills to hold three open practices for fans at training camp - WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills are gearing up to hold training camp at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park for a second-consecutive year in 2021,” writes Brayton J. Wilson.
Bills schedule 3 training camp practices open to fans | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The open practices are scheduled for July 31, Aug. 7 and Sept. 7, each at 10 a.m.
Bills announce open training camp practices at Highmark Stadium - BuffaloBills.com
The Bills will host three open training camp practices at Highmark Stadium in 2021.
“Multidimensional” Reggie Gilliam is one of Buffalo’s most intriguing players
Reggie Gilliam one of more intriguing players on Bills’ roster | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Gilliam’s multidimensional skills, which he displayed as a rookie with the Buffalo Bills last season, date back to his time at the University of Toledo,” writes Vic Carucci.
Why the Bills should move fast to extend Josh Allen
Wood: Bills shouldn't wait to sign Josh Allen to extension - WGR 550
Former Bills lineman Eric Wood joined After Hours with Amy Lawrence on Thursday to discuss when the team should offer quarterback Josh Allen a contract extension.
Which rookie(s) will make an immediate impact?
Camp Countdown 2021 | Which Rookie Will Make the Most Immediate Impact? - BuffaloBills.com
“Bills Multimedia Reporter Maddy Glab and Insider Chris Brown discuss the newest Bills rookies and which one of them they think will have the most immediate impact on the field.”
Inside Spencer Brown’s journey from eight-man football to the Buffalo Bills - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills Blog
The rookie tackle’s path to an NFL contender started with an unplanned recruiting visit to a small Iowa town and a surprise scholarship offer.
Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly still loves teaching youths at football camp
Vic Carucci: After 33 years, Jim Kelly’s love for annual football camp still burns strong | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Jim Kelly was in his element Wednesday. No one seemed to be having a better time than Kelly as he walked around the field at Highmark Stadium, clapping his hands and shouting encouragement to youngsters going through drills,” writes Vic Carucci.
Josh Allen has a lifelong supporter in Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly knows Josh Allen is coming for his records - WGR 550
Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly knows that Josh Allen is on the path to break all of his franchise records, and he’s not upset about it one bit.
Odds and ends
GMFB | Jordan Poyer talks expectations for Buffalo’s 2021 season - BuffaloBills.com
“Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer joins ‘Good Morning Football’ to set expectations for the Bills in 2021, reveals the key to success for Bills DBs and discusses his journey to the NFL.”
Bills’ Ken Dorsey receives promotion following Josh Allen’s breakout year - newyorkupstate.com
Dorsey is now the Bills’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Bills’ Josh Allen, Tom Brady have same odds to lead NFL in passing; Stefon Diggs top WR? - newyorkupstate.com
Allen finished second in MVP voting in 2020.