News and notes as Bills players react to the team's initial 53-man roster:
From tailgater to pro player, Andreessen 'grateful' to make Bills' 53
Tuesday morning, just a few hours before Buffalo had to finalize their initial 53-man roster, Joe Andreessen sat patiently in his parents' house. Then his phone rang with his agent on the other line.
"Got word from my agent in the morning that it looked good," Andreessen said.
Now more than just a feel-good story, the try-out rookie from Buffalo had secured a spot on his hometown team's 53-man roster. In typical blue-collar fashion, he shared the news with his parents who were both home that day, called his girlfriend, then grabbed his bag and headed off to work.
"We had practice and stuff yesterday, so just a normal day for me, pretty much," he said with a smile.
The humble Andreessen, of course, is more than elated to have gone from a spring tryout player to someone who has a chance to suit up for Buffalo's 2024 season opener. He grew up rooting for the team, tailgating before game days, and now knows the work to be a pro football player is only beginning.
"Grateful. That's probably the best word to use, grateful, just to have the trust of the coaches," he said.
"There's still a lot left to be done, a lot left to prove, not only to me, but my teammates now, because I'm given that opportunity to be on this team, to help this team win. So yeah in this league there's no security, so I gotta keep going out here, put work in every day, put good stuff on tape, and do everything I can."
Andreessen, along with 12 undrafted rookies and 25 other tryout players, were invited to participate in Buffalo's rookie minicamp after the NFL Draft. The 24-year-old didn't know what to expect but used that weekend to put his best foot forward. Fast forward to August, and Andreessen is the only one in that group to be signed to the Bills active roster.
"I came in here to try and prove I can play football, but to say that, that there was, like, no doubt, or anything like that, would be lying…I believe in myself. Just happy it all worked out," he said.
With the goal of making the team now achieved, Andreessen shared that all of his focus is getting a win in Week 1.
"God willing, if I'm out there on Sunday, I'm gonna have to make plays for this team," he said. "And I've been a fan of this team for a while, so there's even more to play for, maybe than the average player. I want this team to win, I want this organization to win."
Eye emojis and fractured ribs a part of White's journey to Buffalo
Shortly after QB Mike White got released by the Miami Dolphins this week — and the Bills needing to add another QB to the roster — he got a text from a certain player in Buffalo.
"I get a text from Josh (Allen) with two eye emojis," White recalled.
A phone call from Bills GM Brandon Beane also awaited him to express interest in signing White, a seven-year NFL veteran, to the team's practice squad. Having been a part of the Jets' and Dolphins' organizations the last few years, White was excited about the opportunity to continue his career for a team he'd heard a lot about.
"All you hear about is, like the locker room, the culture and stuff like that, so I knew that would be cool to be a part of. So yeah, I thought it was a good opportunity, and I'm grateful for it and excited to be here," White said following his first practice with the team.
A winning culture is not all that White is familiar with in Orchard Park. During the 2022 season, White appeared at QB for the Jets during their November game in Buffalo and suffered multiple fractured ribs during the game after big hits from LB Matt Milano and DT Ed Oliver.
"When I go to Highmark, I'm sure there's gonna be a piece of my rib on the 30-yard line," White joked when speaking to the media.
Oliver already came up to his new teammate earlier in the day to apologize for the painful blows.
"Honestly, the ribs are good. Two years later, we finally healed," White laughed. "But no, this locker room, you could tell, is super, super cool."
Allen and White share a prior connection as both players were part of the same draft class and met each other at the Manning Passing Academy. While Allen was Buffalo's seventh overall pick in 2018, White went to the Cowboys in the fifth round.
Newly-acquired CB/returner is eager to make a positive first impression
Buffalo made a trade Tuesday afternoon, just as they were finalizing their 53, acquiring Brandon Codrington from the Jets for a late round pick deal. Codrington flashed during the preseason thanks to a 63-yard kick return against the Panthers and a punt return of 31 yards.
As teams try to look for any advantage on the Dynamic Kickoff, Buffalo believes Codrington could make an impact.
"I feel I can be more successful. I feel like I didn't do as good as I really could have did. But I feel like just really punt returning. I've been doing this since my freshman year of college. I led the state late in kickoff returns in high school, my senior year. I'm naturally a returner," he said.
Following Wednesday practice, Codrington jogged over to Highmark Stadium to get reps fielding kicks in the WNY wind. When the team gets a few days off over the weekend, Codrington is already planning on coming to the facility to get work done on his own.
"I'm trying to go out there as much as I can, especially this weekend, when everybody goes home, try to stay after, get reps so I'm ready for next week," he said.
Welcome to the first Buffalo Bills regular season practice of the 2024 NFL Season! Take a look a some of today's best shots from One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Greg Rousseau (50), Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Mike White (14). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dawson Knox (88), Ty Johnson (26), Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29), Matthew Smiley. Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Sean McDermott, Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Brandon Codrington (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Mike White (14), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Mike White (14), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Casey Toohill (99). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Eli Ankou (51). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Deon Cain (18). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Frank Gore Jr (20). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Deon Cain (18). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22), Nick Morrow (52). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (15). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Terrel Bernard (43), Dorian Williams (42), Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Mike Edwards (21), Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17), Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Keon Coleman (0), Te'Cory Couch (33). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Ronald Curry, Josh Allen (17), Joe Brady, Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dorian Williams (42), Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Tyler Bass (2), Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Dalton Kincaid (86), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Joe Andreessen (44). Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive.
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
Buffalo Bills practice, August 28, 2024 at One Bills Drive
