1. Better chemistry for Mitch Morse and Josh Allen in 2020
Center Mitch Morse spoke with the media on Sunday for the first time since last season. Morse enters his second season with the Bills wanting to improve on chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen. The center said in his first season it was tough to build that immediate connection after coming off of surgery and suffering a concussion during training camp.
The two didn't get to work on their chemistry in-person during the offseason due to COVID. But now back at One Bills Drive together, Morse can already see how Allen has improved.
"I think Josh has really come into his own coming into year three," Morse said. "It's very cool to see the way he's taking command, and the communication's crisp, it's clean. It's exciting. The moxie he's got even in practice, attacking every walkthrough rep like a game rep is the way you get better."
Morse explained this year is all about perfecting the communication between him and his quarterback.
"It is something pretty cool to see just the way the communication is crisper, I just harp on that," Morse said. "But, less is more sometimes. Portraying information promptly and decisively is kind of something that I'm seeing right now just between us two, and it's something we could definitely grow on. But it's fun to see and it's making our jobs a lot easier."
2. Where the Bills rank in Yahoo's power rankings
Yahoo Sports released its initial 2020 Power Rankings, and the Bills earned the No. 5 spot. Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab mentioned a Tom Brady-less AFC East, a new receiver in Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen's growth as all reasons why the Bills earn the ranking.
The Bills finished last season looking like an ascending team. The defense is really good. Quarterback Josh Allen has his flaws, but he makes plays and did improve last season. The Bills gave the Patriots fits in both meetings and fell just short each time. They should have won both games. They knew they were close. That's why they sent a bunch of picks to the Minnesota Vikings for receiver Stefon Diggs. A true standout receiver seemed to be the missing piece.
Schwab gives the Bills a 'B' grade for their offseason.
Stefon Diggs was the key piece of the offseason. The Bills sent the 22nd pick of the 2020 draft, a fifth- and sixth-round pick in this year's draft and a 2021 fourth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings. That's a lot, but top receivers aren't easy to acquire. Landing a No. 1 receiver was crucial for the Bills. Buffalo lost some players, perhaps most notably defensive tackle Star Lotulelei when he opted out due to coronavirus concerns. They lost Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips off the defensive line in free agency, but signed defensive end Mario Addison from the Carolina Panthers and drafted Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa in the second round. You can criticize the Bills for overpaying for Diggs, but it fits the urgency of this season.
GRADE: B
Looking into his crystal ball, Yahoo Sports thinks the Bills can win the division and a playoff game this season.
3. Could this Bills UDFA make a name for himself in camp?
Bleacher Report identified a undrafted free agent (UDFA) on each NFL team's roster who could "turn heads" in training camp. With guard Jon Feliciano out indefinitely, B/R thinks Trey Adams could give the position depth.
He was a potential notable draft pick even with a so-so injury history before he flopped at the combine both physically and in the interview process. But if he's anywhere close to his standout collegiate form, he'll have no problems holding his own against pros.
The Bills needs additional depth in the wake of Jon Feliciano's pectoral injury, so there might be extra snaps available for Adams to rehab his image and make the final 53.
Adams has earned All-Pac-12 first-team honors twice--his sophomore and redshirt senior year. The offensive lineman appeared in 47 games and was a starter for the majority of his time at Washington.
