The Bills had their seventh practice of training camp on Thursday morning—still four practices to go at St. John Fisher. The defense picked off two passes, but Josh Allen had some incredible throws in the red zone.
Here are three things to know about Thursday's practice before the team heads back to Orchard Park for the Return of the Blue & Red practice on Friday.
1. The cornerbacks are turning it up a notch
Earlier in the week, defensive backs coach John Butler spoke to the media about the cornerback battle opposite of Tre'Davious White and shared the strengths of each guy (Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford) competing for the job. Jackson, Elam and Benford have all flashed in different ways throughout camp whether it be breaking up passes, grabbing interceptions or providing good coverage.
During Thursday's practice, Jackson and Elam made some memorable plays. Both came toward the end of practice during a team period. Josh Allen threw a pass intended for Gabe Davis but the pass skipped off Davis' arm as he was turning and bounced into Jackson's arms. Jackson showed athleticism by how he quickly reacted and got his hands on the ball for an interception.
A few plays later, Allen fired a ball intended for Trent Sherfield but Elam showed off his physicality by jumping the route and got in the way for an interception. Allen was asked of the play after practice and shared just how much Elam works at this craft.
"I'm his locker mate so every time I sit next to him, he's got his iPad out, and he's watching film," Allen said. "He's in the training room watching film. He's very, very serious about his craft and he's working extremely hard right now. It's good to see him kind of taking the step in his second year. I know he's so internally driven. He wants to be a great football player, so he's working extremely hard at that, and I'm proud of how he's approached things."
In terms of making a decision on who will start in the CB2 spot, similar to the MLB spot, McDermott doesn't have a specific timeframe in mind.
"It's really just about you'll know when you know and you'd like it to be sooner than later for all these decisions," McDermott shared. "But in fairness to the player and the process, just giving it time to play out. We're going to have a great opportunity to evaluate as coaches, Brandon (Beane) and his staff come Friday night to the stadium with the crowd, which will be putting guys in a position that they haven't been in some time or ever, especially for some of the new players. And it'll be a great opportunity for us to evaluate, but also for our team to grow because there's going to be some mistakes because it gets stressful in some moments."
McDermott says Friday's Return of the Blue & Red practice will mark a point in training camp where they start to ramp up their evaluation process.
Scroll to see the best photos from Day Seven of Buffalo Bills Training Camp
Jordan Poyer (21) with fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14) with fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17) with fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Taylor Rapp (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Sean McDermott with Darryl Talley.Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Travin Howard (45). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Shane Ray (49). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14) with fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Jace Sternberger (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Khalil Shakir (10) , Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Christian Benford (47), Trent Sherfield (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Justin Shorter (18), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Marcell Ateman (15). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Alex Austin (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ian Rapport with Brandon Beane. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Deonte Harty (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Khalil Shakir (10) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
KeeSean Johnson (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ryan Bates (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Andy Isabella (87). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14), Gabe Davis (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Deonte Harty (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Jason Oszvart fan club. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Jason Oszvart. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Gabe Davis (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Quintin Morris (85), Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14), Gabe Davis (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Kyle Allen (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Rob Boras, Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Gabe Davis (13), Stefon Diggs (14), Adam Henry. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Joel Wilson (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Andy Isabella (87). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Shaq Lawson (90). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Trent Sherfield (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damien Harris (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Marcell Ateman (15). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Official's penalty flag flies alongside Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Terrel Bernard (43) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Jared Mayden (36), Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Andy Isabella (87), Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kyron Brown (32), Dezmon Patmon (19). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
KeeSean Johnson (81), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14), Tre'Davious White (27). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Deonte Harty (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Trent Sherfield (16), Alex Austin (29). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Tyrell Shavers (80), Gabe Davis (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ed Oliver (91), Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dean Marlowe (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
James Cook (4), Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Matt Milano (58), DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Greg Rousseau (50), DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Leonard Floyd (56), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Leonard Floyd (56), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kyle Allen (9), Reggie Gilliam (41), Ryan Bates (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Shane Ray (49). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ryan Bates (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Gabe Davis (13), Josh Allen (17), Jordan Phillips. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
A.J. Klein (52). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ryan Van Demark (74), Shane Ray (49). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Taylor Rapp (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
DaQuan Jones (92), Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Ryan Bates (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damien Harris (22), Poona Ford (98). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damien Harris (22), Ryan Bates (71), Jordan Poyer (21), Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damien Harris (22), Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damien Harris (22) with an official. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Khalil Shakir (10) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Latavius Murray (28). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Latavius Murray (28), Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Latavius Murray (28), Taylor Rapp (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Latavius Murray (28), Siran Neal (33). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Reggie Gilliam (41), Tyrel Dodson (53). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Taylor Rapp (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
A.J. Epenesa (57) with an official. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Poona Ford (98). DaQuan Jones (92), Tim Settle (99). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Leonard Floyd (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Micah Hyde (23), Matt Milano (58). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Mitch Morse (60), Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dawson Knox (88), Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dane Jackson (30) celebrates his interception with Jordan Phillips. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dane Jackson (30) celebrates his interception with Kaiir Elam (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24) celebrates his interception with Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24) celebrates his interception with Damar Hamlin (3) and Von Miller. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Kaiir Elam (24) celebrates his interception with Damar Hamlin (3) and Von Miller. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Josh Allen (17), Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Stefon Diggs (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Matt Barkley (5), Baylon Spector (54) Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Justin Shorter (18), Taylor Rapp (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dorian Williams (42), Travin Howard (45), Taylor Rapp (20), Alex Austin (29), Jared Mayden (36). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
James Cook (4), Kaiir Elam (24), Leonard Floyd (56). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Alec Anderson (70), Kevin Jarvis (63), Josh Allen (17), Mitch Morse (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Baylon Spector (54), Jordan Poyer (21), Reggie Gilliam (41), James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Sean McDermott speaks to the team. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Defensive backs' prayer. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Taron Johnson (7), Micah Hyde (23), Jordan Poyer (21). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Dane Jackson (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
DaQuan Jones. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Fans at Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Darrynton Evans (37) with fans. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Deonte Harty's daughter Charleigh. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
Deonte Harty's daughter Charleigh. Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher University, August 3, 2023.
2. Josh Allen impressive in the red zone + other practice notes
The Bills spent a good chunk of Thursday's practice doing one-on-one drills and working in the red zone.
During 1 on 1s, Stefon Diggs and Tre'Davious White were matched up against each other on multiple reps – White recorded a pass breakup on one play and several plays later Diggs had a nice catch against the CB. Elam also had a PBU against Diggs as well.
The best play from 1 on 1s came early in the period when Josh Allen connected with Gabe Davis for a touchdown. Davis was matched up with Dane Jackson. Jackson had good coverage on the play, but Davis was able to reach his left hand out and make a crisp one-handed grab as he was heading toward the back of the end zone.
Allen kept it going when the team got into 11 on 11 in the red zone. On the first play of the period, Allen fired an incredible pass down the sideline to Dawson Knox who made the catch and ran it into the end zone.
A few plays later, Dane Jackson forced an incompletion against Diggs. Later on, Allen threw a pass to the end zone intended for Kahlil Shakir, but Jackson again forced the ball out.
The other best throw of the day came from Allen as he fired one on a rope to Davis for a touchdown. The two have linked up on several plays throughout camp and it looks as if the two will take another step together this season.
Andy Isabella, who was signed by the Bills less than a week ago, made his presence known on a few plays. One happened while the team was in the red zone when Matt Barkley connected with the new WR. Isabella was covered tightly by Cam Lewis but made a great play on the ball.
The defense picked up a couple batted and tipped passes throughout the practice. A.J. Epenesa batted down one of Allen's throws. Later on, Kyle Allen's pass was tipped by what looked like a defensive lineman, which allowed Travin Howard to force a pass break up.
Other notable plays – Kyle Allen and Dezmon Patmon connected on a nice touchdown during a team period in the red zone. Kyron Brown, who was signed by the Bills less than a week ago broke up a pass intended for Jace Sternberger in the red zone.
3. Greg Rousseau wants to be more versatile in Year 3
Defensive end Greg Rousseau wants to add more to his plate in his third NFL season. From Year 1 to Year 1, Rousseau doubled his sack count going from four to eight. In his third season, he's ready to take on a bigger role within the defense thanks to his knowledge of the playbook.
"I know the playbook really well, most of our group is back from last year, so it's just really about going out there and doing it," Rousseau said.
When it comes to being more versatile, Rousseau wants to prove he can be a difference maker on the inside.
"I feel like I matchup well on guards sometimes," Rousseau said. "That's what I like about it, and I feel like if you understand how rushing works inside, it can make you better rusher outside as well and vice versa."
Lining up on the inside isn't something new to Rousseau as he did so during his time at the University of Miami. The edge rusher says his technique has improved quite a bit since his rookie season and now it's about executing.
"I feel like for me it's just going out there and having that dominating mindset and trying to win every single rush no matter what," Rousseau said.
Even without Von Miller a part of the lineup, the defensive line has had multiple practices this camp where they've put the pressure on QBs and picked up several sacks.
