1. McDermott wants Munnerlyn to focus on getting used to his new surroundings
Buffalo's newest cornerback is all too familiar to head coach Sean McDermott. He played for three seasons under the Bills head coach in his first of two stints with the Carolina Panthers.
Despite that familiarity, coach McDermott wants to focus on getting Munnerlyn acclimated to the team and their daily operations.
"I was with him, but it's been a few years since the last time we worked together," McDermott said. "But what I remember is the competitiveness, the toughness. Obviously, he's played in this system before so he has some familiarity with our system, both in the slot and at corner. We'll see how he does and how he progresses. He's been out of it a little bit, so he has to play himself back into shape."
Munnerlyn had not been with an NFL club at any point this offseason, so he will need to round into football shape.
When asked whether Munnerlyn will focus more at outside corner or nickel, McDermott didn't clearly define the veteran's role, but admitted that Munnerlyn has played a lot more in the slot the last several seasons.
"That's where he's played more over the course of the last four or five years," said McDermott of Munnerlyn's play at nickel. "We just want to get him acclimated to what we do and his new surroundings and teammates and take it one day at a time."
2. OL Ryan Bates addition a necessity
In the last week Buffalo has not only lost offensive linemen, but two offensive tackles specifically. LaAdrian Waddle was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a season-ending injury in training camp. And coming out of the team's first preseason game Thursday night, OT Conor McDermott was placed in the concussion protocol.
That left the Bills with Dion Dawkins, Ty Nsekhe, Cody Ford, D'Ondre Wesley and Garrett McGhin as offensive tackle options. And Buffalo has used Ford, Wesley and McGhin at guard due to the shortage there recently with Spencer Long and Jon Feliciano coming back from injury.
Ryan Bates has largely played offensive tackle in his collegiate career at Penn State and is expected to line up there as he begins his time with Buffalo.
"We've been a little bit banged up at that position," said McDermott of the offensive tackle spot. "It seems that injuries always pile up at one or two positions and that's the case this year. He was a young player who we knew in our draft preparations this last year. I know where he's from. I'm familiar with that area. He's certainly a guy who can move a little bit. The rest we'll get a better feel for starting today."
3. LB Corey Thompson, RB Senorise Perry sidelined
Two new players will continue to be sidelined at practice today. Linebacker Corey Thompson and running back Senorise Perry both sat out practice on Friday, the day after the preseason game against Indianapolis.
On Sunday, coach McDermott explained why. Thompson is dealing with a groin injury while Perry has an ankle injury.
No word on how much time each of those players will miss going forward.
Fortunately for Thompson and Perry they will not miss any practice time on Monday, as it's a travel day for the team as they head to the Carolinas for the week for joint practices with the Panthers.
