It was a busy week on the 'One Bills Live' show, with three of our five broadcasts coming from training camp in Rochester. We checked-in on the roster battles, the progress of the rookie draft picks, the visit from the NFL officials and much more.
Here are eight things you may have missed this week.
1. DABOLL 'INVALUABLE' TO QBS ON THE ROSTER
Chad Pennington played 11 seasons in the NFL after the Jets drafted him in the first round in 2000. And one season, he had current Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as his quarterbacks coach.
Pennington told us Friday Daboll was invaluable when it came to breaking down the defense quarterbacks would see.
"I learned a lot of football from Brian. I mean a ton of football, especially from the defensive side." Pennington said. "Understanding combo coverages and understanding why we're attacking this certain coverage and where we're trying to attack. His knowledge on that side of the ball for a quarterback is invaluable. And I also think he knows how important it is to stay in these guys hip pockets because they really just need to be listening to one voice and be communicating with one voice."
2. QUARTERBACK BATTLE REQUIRES THE RIGHT MINDSET
Buffalo's three-way battle for the starting QB job is the primary focus for camp visitors, and for the three quarterbacks involved as well. Veteran AJ McCarron, who's getting plenty of first team reps in camp so far, says it's important that he doesn't focus on the competition. He's locked into a mindset and avoids worrying about his status.
"I just go out and execute the plays I have, however many reps it is and kind of just stay in that mind frame," McCarron told us on Thursday. "When you don't stay in that mind frame you allow mental clutter. Not only for yourself but then it affects how you play. It affects how you treat other people. It affects how you treat the offense as a group. And I don't want that to happen."
3. FIRST TEAM-SECOND TEAM - PETERMAN SAYS IT DOESN'T MATTER
McCarron, rookie Josh Allen, and second-year man Nathan Peterman have all rotated through the reps so far in camp, sometimes working with the first team, sometimes the second, sometimes the third.
Peterman told 'One Bills Live' he doesn't really notice whether he's playing with the ones, the twos, or the threes.
"I don't think it necessarily matters like that," Peterman said. "Every day is a great opportunity. You get to go out there with great guys, play with such great guys. It's the NFL. Having the opportunity to be at camp and to compete for a starting job is awesome and it's something I'm cherishing and going after. I think whatever they put in front of me I'm going to do to the best of my ability."
4. PLENTY OF COMPETITION AT WIDE RECEIVER ALSO
It's not just at quarterback. The Bills have 13 wide receivers in camp and a wide-open field of candidates to play behind the most established receiver – Kelvin Benjamin.
In an appearance on the show this week, Benjamin told us it's competitive, but the wideouts are also looking to work with each other in this camp.
"There's that camaraderie right now," he said. "When we get in the room and watch film, I tell the guys, "Even if I gotta clear out for you guys I'm going to clear out that route to open up for you guys. I expect the same from you.'"
"We pride ourselves on brotherhood, we pray after every practice. I feel like Coach Terry (Robiskie) brings us together as a brotherhood. And that's what you need in the receiving room. It can't be a receiving room that's selfish."
5. VOTE FOR EDMUNDS AS DEFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Buffalo's 'other' first rounder, LB Tremaine Edmunds, is quietly settling in as the man in the middle of the defense. And longtime NFL personnel scout Pat Kirwan is a fan.
Kirwan and his 'Movin' the Chains' radio show on Sirius XM NFL Radio spent Tuesday in camp. And Kirwan told our show Edmunds has the look of greatness.
"If I had to bet on rookie of the year right now on defense, he'd be my pick," Kirwan said of Edmunds. "I think the guy gets it mentally."
Kirwan said he spent some time talking to Edmunds and came away impressed.
"When he walked away from me, I said, 'Hey, when you get this all figured out and I know you're close – tell them you want to be a goal-line tight end because I think he'd be pretty good down there also.'"
6. HE'S 'HORRIBLE HARRY' NOT KYLE
Ever since draft weekend, when the Bills chose Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips in the third round, comparisons have been drawn between Phillips and Bills veteran Kyle Williams.
We asked Phillips why that is.
"I think it's just got to be mainly off appearance," he answered. "We look a lot alike. We have the scruffy beard, white.
But Phillips says the comparisons should stop right there.
"I hope to one day play like Kyle. He's a remarkable athlete. His savviness to be 13 years in the NFL and make it to five pro bowls and his long resumé of things. It's unbelievable."
"There's a multitude of baby steps that I need to make in order to try to even get to that level," he continued. "I mean, it's a tough comparison for me. They're saying. 'Oh yeah, you play like him.' How do I play like a 13-year pro-bowler when I haven't played a snap in the NFL?"
7. EXPANSION OF TRAINING CENTER SHOULD HELP IN FREE AGENCY
The Bills announced an 18-million-dollar renovation and expansion plan for the ADPRO Sports Training Center this week. And Bills general manager Brandon Beane told 'One Bills Live' when the renovation is complete next spring, it should be a benefit in recruiting free agents.
"It will definitely help as we do that," Beane said. "Everything is really the best of the best. If you wanted to say maybe we didn't have the greatest weight room, it was still a very good one. It's probably now going to be the very best in the NFL."
8. HELMET HIT RULE DESIGNED TO KEEP PLAYERS SAFE
It's likely to be a noisy preseason with plenty of complaints likely about the three new rule changes in the NFL – a refined catch rule, new set-ups for kickoffs, and a prohibition on helmet hits.
New NFL referee Shawn Smith joined on the show Thursday, after he and his crew officiated the Bills training camp workout. And he says the helmet rule will be enforced and will help prevent injury.
"The rule is for the safety of the players first and foremost," Smith said. "And that's what we want to get across to the players. This is for your own safety. One of the rules written, especially the helmet rule. It says you can't lower your head, initiate contact, and make contact. So, if you do those three things then you potentially put yourself in position to have a foul."
