Tuesday OTA session belonged to the defense as they carried the play in the team periods by all accounts. The offense had some opportunities for big plays, but couldn't quite connect in the passing game. Meanwhile the defense foiled a lot of other attempts in the passing game both in the secondary and up front with a consistent pass rush.
Safety Jairus Byrd likes what he's seeing even if it's not true live football just yet.
"We definitely do see progress," Byrd told Buffalobills.com. "Granted it is OTAs, but anytime you can put together consistency and start rehearsing good habits it's going to help."
What has Byrd and his fellow defensive backs most excited is the early signs from the pass rush, which has shown the ability to put pressure on Buffalo quarterbacks consistently during 11-on-11 team work.
"It's hard not to get giddy," said Byrd. "We've talked to the guys on the back end and we are excited about it, but we're waiting. We do have to feel each other out. The first preseason at the end of camp will be a good indicator about just the time and how we can play things because we're not used to it. We've got to feel each other out to see what that pressure feels like. We're excited though."
Jones on the moveBills head coach Chan Gailey said Monday that Donald Jones is the early leader in the battle for the number two wide receiver role, but Jones has been shuttled around a lot thus far with respect to his alignments and assignments.
"Right now I'm rotating through three different positions and playing a lot more in the slot right now," said Jones. "I like to move around. I like to be able to know every position. The more you can do the more effective you are and the better chance you have of making the team. I like the fact that they're moving me around even though I'm tired out there. It's all good."
Jones has always been lauded by Buffalo's coaching staff for his blocking and working out of the slot Jones can do some damage at the second level in the run game whether it's helping on a defensive end or walling off a linebacker.
"Those kinds of assignments, those are cool for me," said Jones. "I've been doing those my whole life since I was in high school. In this offense I did a lot of that stuff my first year. Motioning into the backfield and leading up through the hole and things like that. Whatever they need me to do I'll do it to the best of my ability."
Thigpen backOn Monday Tyler Thigpen did some throwing during individual position drills, but was full go on Tuesday as he took over quarterback duties with the second unit in the team setting.
"It felt good," Thigpen told Buffalobills.com. "It was one of those things where when I was out I was still getting the mental reps. So when I stepped back in today I was able to pick back up where I left off. Being a professional you've got to be able to do stuff like that whether you take one practice off or five practices it doesn't matter."
With more receivers being rolled through with the second unit Thigpen has more wideouts to get accustomed to in terms of their route running tendencies, but feels his rapport with most of them is pretty solid.
"The best way to kind of understand how they run their routes is when you're watching film and seeing how a guy might run an option route," he said. "Ruvell (Martin) might run one different from how Naaman does it. It's nice to see all those guys throughout practice because you never know who is going to be in the huddle. One guy might run a go route and then they're going to throw somebody in there the next time because that guy is tired. It's challenging for a quarterback but it's also good in a way because it forces you to think and understand how the game works with guys running different routes."
HighlightsFor the highlights just go to the Media Center of Buffalobills.com.
ScheduleThe Bills have Wednesday off before returning to the practice field Thursday afternoon.
