Coming off of their first off day of training camp, the Bills utilized a sizable portion of their last practice before pads come on tomorrow to get in some extra 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work.
Here's what we learned Sunday:
Practice Observations: Tight Ends win the day + Josh Allen gets on hot streak late
Quarterback Josh Allen and the offense rebounded after practice on Friday ended with several turnovers. While the defense was not able to force as many takeaways, they still made their presence felt throughout practice with some standout plays.
The defense was able to knock down several balls for near-interceptions and DE Dawuane Smoot had a "would be" sack on a low snap in one of the team portions of practice. DE Kameron Cline was also able to force a fumble on Ray Davis, that Daequan Hardy was able to recover. LB Terrel Bernard came close to forcing a fumble from TE Dalton Kincaid, but Kincaid was able to punch it away out of bounds before a recovery could be made.
The last turnover of the day came on an INT by CB Kaiir Elam in the back of the end zone from a throw by quarterback Shane Buechele.
Allen was able to demonstrate his connection with his tight ends, including the tight-window throw to Dawson Knox in great coverage to end the 7-on-7 period of practice. Knox acknowledged that he has been getting comfortable in his role in offensive coordinator Joe Brady's offense, along with the other tight ends and receivers.
"It's been fun," Knox said. "I mean, there's been days where there's not a lot of targets for me, and there's been days where there are. But that's kind of the fun part of this offense, it's like everybody's gonna eat at some point."
The tight ends were one of the features of the day, as every one of them on the roster caught the ball at least one time. Allen began the 11-on-11 team portion on fire, completing his first five passes, including a touchdown to Kincaid.
The offense followed it up with some trickery, showing the crowd at St. John Fisher a reverse play that went for positive yardage.
Following a touchdown from Mitchell Trubisky to running back Darrynton Evans, Allen connected with wide receiver Tyrell Shavers for a touchdown.
Allen continued his hot streak, throwing back-to-back touchdowns to Khalil Shakir and throwing a beautiful ball to Keon Coleman in the back of the end zone. Shakir also had another touchdown, in which he shook free of Elam's coverage, and walked into the end zone.
RB James Cook was not at practice today with an excused personal absence which saw Ty Johnson and Ray Davis taking first-team reps, along with Curtis Samuel taking snaps in the backfield.
TE Dawson Knox and WR Mack Hollins on unselfish nature of Buffalo's pass catchers
With so much talk around the wide receiver room, the one consistent factor on offense has been the tight end room. Both Kincaid and Knox are returning — and Knox is excited about having a bounce back year after dealing with injuries during the 2023 season.
"Last year, I just felt like there were a lot of stuff that was out of my control, with the wrist injury, trying to play through it, ended up needing surgery, missed a good chunk of the season, came back, we went on a good run with Joe, and he was putting his tweaks on the offense already, but I think having a whole offseason with him as a coordinator, kind of getting the new guys in the building, starting to build that chemistry, I think everybody is excited to get back out there," Knox said.
Just as with any other group, there is some competition in the tight end room behind Knox and Kincaid, but he loves what each of the players brings to the table. Quintin Morris and Zach Davidson have been competing for their spots on the roster.
"It's fun having Zach out here after last year, he dealt with an ACL all year, but Q's [Quintin Morris] just so consistent too," Knox said. "It's honestly hard to see it as a battle from the tight end room 'cause we love both those guys so much and they bring so much energy to the team. They're always doing the right thing…It's like every day one of 'em will make a huge play and then you look over and the next guy's making a big play."
Hollins, who signed with the Bills in free agency, also spoke after practice about how he's fitting in. Many of Hollins' teammates have already dubbed him as one of their favorite personalities so far in camp. The 30-year-old Hollins is well-known for walking barefoot when not on the football field — an intentional grounding technique — but he's earned the respect of his teammates for being one of the hardest workers on the field.
"I'm always honored when my teammates show that type of respect for me…," Hollins said. "…I always appreciate my teammates and glad I can have that maybe influence on them or whatever it is. I've really enjoyed being a part of this team and I'm excited for every day that I get the opportunity to be here."
Hollins also spoke about his role in Brady's offense, and said that he can be used any way that the team needs.
"Wherever Joe wants me to. Like I can throw, too, like if Josh wants to get nervous one day," he joked. "But no, wherever honestly wherever. I'll do deep balls, I could do underneath stuff. If I need to be in the run game, so be it if there's a W at the end of the day. That's all I care about."
Special teams coordinator Matt Smiley on the new kickoff rule:
Smiley also addressed the media today about the new kickoff rules and how he has been working through the changes. The rule change is aimed at making the kickoff a more exciting play and more closely mirror a play from the line of scrimmage, all while working to keep players safer.
The Bills have devoted practice time in multiple days so far to simulate the new kickoff without giving away how they intend to cover or return kicks. Smiley acknowledged that the preseason may look different than the regular season, as teams may not show too much in August because it has not been tested in real-time.
Traditionally in the preseason you really don't show anything. That's true offense, defense and special teams. So there's a good chance that the preseason will look different than the regular season when it comes to the new kickoff rule," he shared.
"Potentially more experimentation. But you also got to be careful what you're showing. Everybody's going to be on pins and needles watching those first preseason games, because maybe there's a team that's doing something like `Holy cow. Okay. Yeah. We got to start messing around with that.' And it may just be confirming, `Okay. We thought that was going to look like that, too.'"
Smiley also mentioned that he gets the players' perspective on what works for them for special teams and the new kickoff rules because their insight is important and it helps them to learn the rules.
"This is my philosophy. I think it's always important to get their insight. No. 1, phenomenal knowledge in the room. But No. 2, it encourages buy-in. So now we're doing something that they kind of collaborated with, and they were in the process of learning it as we were learning it. And it forces all those guys to learn the rules quicker."
Several players rotated returning punts during one of the special teams portions of practice today, including K.J. Hamler, Daequan Hardy, and Andy Isabella. Hollins, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson were also rotated in during the kick return portion of practice.
"There's a lot of good catchers back there," Smiley said. "Day-day had a good practice a couple of days ago, K.J. is doing a good job. Khalil is catching every once in a while and a lot of that will depend on his role on the offense. But there's other young guys, new guys that are getting work after practice and Andy Isabella has caught it in the spring and even just two days ago, our first live leg, as good as I've seen him catch it since he's been here. So a lot of good choices catching punts back there."
Sam Martin and Jack Browning also took turns punting the ball during practice. Browning has impressed Smiley during camp, especially with his mechanics.
"One of the coolest things about Jack is his mechanics when he catches the ball. So his get off time is naturally very fast. So that was true in college, that was true when he punted two days ago, very consistent mechanics when it comes to catching and setting his mold and his leg strength is there obviously. When it comes to tweaking get off time, sometimes that's super hard, especially with a young guy. So the fact that he already has that, that's a big, big help."
Scroll to see the best photos from day 4 of the 2024 Buffalo Bills Training Camp. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Shayne Simon (49). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Lawrence Keys (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
David Edwards (76). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Deion Jones (45). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keaton Bills (60). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
La'el Collins (71). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Terrel Bernard (43), Matt Milano (58), Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
DeShawn Williams (93). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Deion Jones (45). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Jack Browning (30). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kyron Brown (32), Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Adam Henry, Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Travis Clayton (67). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Chase Claypool (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Chase Claypool (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Xavier Johnson (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Xavier Johnson (16). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17), Ray Davis (22). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Cam Lewis (39), Curtis Samuel (1), Cole Bishop (24). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keaton Bills (60), Gable Steveson (61), Kevin Jarvis (63). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Bryan Thompson (89), Lawrence Keys (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81), Chase Claypool (14), Quintin Morris (85), Ryan Van Demark (74), Will Clapp (77). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Chase Claypool (14). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Chase Claypool (14), Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kameron Cline (96), Daequan Hardy (25). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tre' McKitty (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Zach Davidson (84), Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rick Hyde. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Darrynton Evans (37), Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Cole Bishop (24), Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Baylon Spector (54). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1), Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Shane Buechele (6). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyrell Shavers (80). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Ty Johnson (26), Mack Hollins (13), Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Khalil Shakir (10), Mack Hollins (13), Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Lawrence Keys (82). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rasul Douglas (31), Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tyler Bass (2), Sam Martin (8), Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Tre' McKitty (83). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Mack Hollins (13), Nick Lacey. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dawson Knox (88), Spencer Brown (79), Len Vanden Bos. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dalton Kincaid (86), Quintin Morris (85), Tre' McKitty (83), Reggie Gilliam (41), Zach Davidson (84), Dawson Knox (88), Rob Boras. Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 28, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
