1. Jerry Hughes and d-line putting an emphasis on stopping the run
During 11-on-11 drills Saturday, rookie running back Devin Singletary was able to get past the Bills defense for a touchdown. Singletary found a hole opened up by the new-look Bills offensive line and busted through. For Jerry Hughes, this was unacceptable.
"We got to do better, we understand that the run starts to stop with us," Hughes said after practice. "So whenever a running back is able to get to the second level the way Singletary did that's on us up front."
Hughes is the longest tenured Buffalo Bill and the leader on a defensive line filled with rookies and veterans. As the Bills defense ran to another field for individual drills, Hughes sounded displeased with his group's performance.
"It's not really chirping at anyone but the guys in our room to fire us up," Hughes said. "I understand it's hot, it's practice but you got to perform better. Every down is important in the NFL so you got to treat it as such."
The Bills defensive front will have to focus on eliminating runs like that in NFL games but for now going against the offensive line is all positive for Hughes.
"Iron sharpens iron," Hughes said.
2. Cody Ford getting comfortable at right tackle
Cody Ford has been the starting right tackle each day in training camp so far. The Bills' second round draft pick this year is currently competing for his starting spot on the outside of the line. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll says there's no determined plan to move him to guard.
"He's playing right tackle, we are getting his feet wet and trying to get him adjusted to the pro game the best we can, Daboll said. "Those guys are smart enough to swing where we need to swing them, but for say early on he's right tackle."
Inside at right guard there's been a rotation of Jon Feliciano and Spencer Long with the first team.
"We have some good guys inside and if we need to bump [Ford] inside he's smart enough to do that but we will focus on right tackle and get him to improve the best we can," Daboll said.
Players practiced in pads for the first time on Saturday and despite going against veteran defensive ends like Trent Murphy Ford is determined show he can compete at the NFL-level as a rookie and earn a starting role.
"They've definitely given me the chance to win the job," Ford said. "I'll just play my best and give it all my effort and do everything I can."
3. Daboll: "Dorsey has been a valuable asset to us"
In his first season as Buffalo's quarterback coach, Ken Dorsey helped more than just Josh Allen on the field. He's helped offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as well. Dorsey's addition meant there was an experienced coach who's dealt with dual-threat quarterbacks entering the room.
"I've been able to go to a variety of different meetings and a variety of different drills during practice which I think is good," Daboll said. "It's good to be around some of the other guys and we have to see the game through the same set of eyes, myself, and Josh and the other quarterbacks and Ken, so to spend some time in there but I think Ken has been a valuable asset to us. Another guy that's smart, works extremely hard, has good ideas, he has played the game and happy that he's here too."
Dorsey has allowed his other coaches to take a step back from the quarterback room. In year two with Allen it will be less about teaching him the playbook and more about turning him into a better player.
"It's nice to have a player in his second year that you feel good about that now we can talk more about educating Josh on the NFL game and situational football," head coach Sean McDermott said. "It's not as much about answering some of the unknowns as much as it is developing him as an overall and complete football player."
McDermott praises Dorsey for his ability to be a teacher and he's a very competitive coach. Dorsey is someone who takes a lot of pride in his work and has been handling the dynamic in the quarterback room very well so far, says the head coach.
