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Top 3 things we learned from Day 5 of Bills training camp | 2024

Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 29, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills Training Camp, July 29, 2024 at St. John Fisher University.

On the fifth day of training camp, the Bills were finally able to put on the pads and that ramped up the intensity of Monday's practice.

Here's what we learned:

Practice Observations:

Injury update & vet rest day for three players

Before practice began Monday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave an update on a few injuries that popped up after Sunday's practice.

Veteran safety Mike Edwards is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, WR Chase Claypool is day-to-day with a toe injury and OL Mike Edwards is in concussion protocol. All three players were absent from practice today.

LB Von Miller, CB Taron Johnson and LB Matt Milano were all given veteran rest days. RB James Cook returned after an excused personal absence Sunday.

Impressions on first padded practice

If there's a particular unit that most looks forward to the first full padded practice of training camp, it's the big guys in the trenches. Bills DT Ed Oliver joked that a lot of the guys on offense try to be the loudest about wanting pads on come on but it's really the defense that relishes the opportunity to finally tackle.

"I'll call them front runners," Oliver jabbed. "They act like they're excited, but they really not excited. Then they be trying to psych themselves out, you know?"

But once practice starts and those initial tackles are out of the way, it's business as usual.

"Everybody is pretty much excited. Everybody had a little nerves, I'm pretty sure. It's yeah you're excited, yeah you're nervous. You just want to get the first day of pads over with. Get the hand on the ball and just feel what it feels like to actually be back playing football," Oliver added.

The team portion of Monday's practice saw the Bills focus a lot of their attention on the run game and play action.

RB James Cook broke a big gain to begin one of the team periods, showcasing his speed to get to the edge and turn up field. Cook also had several noticeable runs up the middle throughout the day thanks to big holes opened up by the offensive line.

However, the Bills defensive line, linebackers and safeties were able to start disrupting plays on the second series. On one play, safety Taylor Rapp showed his quick instincts to crash down and tackle Cook for a short gain. Two plays later, LB Terrel Bernard flew across the formation to bring down RB Ty Johnson near the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately, Johnson had to come off the field with the training staff after the hard contact from Bernard.

RBs Ray Davis, Darrynton Evans and Frank Gore Jr. all got an extended look in Johnson's absence for the rest of practice. Evans in particular was able to break a long touchdown run with the second team thanks to a great block from OL Ryan Van Demark.

With Miller, Milano, Johnson and Edwards not at practice, it opened the door for several other players to earn reps with the first team. DE Dawuane Smoot, LB Dorian Williams, DE A.J. Epenesa, S Damar Hamlin and S Cole Bishop were among those who had an increased role today.

Overall, Ed Oliver said he was pleased with the way the defense was able to mostly limit the explosive plays from the rushing attack.

"I think it was solid for the first day. I think there's definitely a big margin where we can get better," he said.

In the final team period, DE Greg Rousseau continued his strong camp with a would-be sack of Josh Allen.

The top highlight of the day from Allen and his receivers came during the 1-on-1 period earlier in practice with WR Curtis Samuel running past a flat-footed CB Ja'Marcus Ingram and laying out in the end zone to come down with a diving TD catch.

Allen also excelled in play-action situations and was routinely able to find open options in the middle of the field.

Douglas: CB room is pushing each other to be better

Because he was a trade deadline acquisition last season, this year marks CB Rasul Douglas' first go-around at Bills training camp. So far, he says the main focus in the cornerback room is trying to get better and not worry about their spot on the depth chart.

"We are competing. We know we're not competing against each other. It's just a you versus you thing," Douglas said. "But we all gotta get better. That's what we all want. We all push each other to get better."

One of the ways that is being emphasized is with the assistance of new CBs coach Jahmile Addae, who was at the University of Miami last season. Douglas shared that he and Addae's personalities are alike in a lot of ways, including both being graduates of West Virginia, and the Bills CB appreciates the way his position coach teaches the game.

"I feel like he understands each player and knows you got to coach each player different," Douglas said. "He uses different tactics for each person but he just tries to bring the best out of you."

Why Oliver thinks the defensive line is set up for success this year

Ed Oliver is going into his sixth season and with that comes the recognition that the younger players and free agent arrivals look up to the Houston product. Oliver shared that he is someone who loves to have fun out on the football field but also understands he has to balance that when setting the best example for others.

"I just have to be more cognizant," Oliver said. "It's not a bad thing to be a fun and smiley guy, that lets the younger guys know that you don't have to be so serious all the time. But I also know that I can't mess up either if I'm being that way. I know I have to be on top of my game."

Buffalo experienced lots of roster turnover at multiple positions in the offseason but not so much at DT or DE. Oliver and DaQuan Jones are set to anchor the interior line, buoyed by Von Miller, A.J. Epenesa and Greg Rousseau on the edge.

The Bills did, however, make several additions to their d-line depth through free agency and the draft. One player that has stood out among that group has been seven-year veteran DE Dawuane Smoot who's recorded five or more sacks in four of the last five seasons. Smoot is someone who has been able to rotate in with the first team on occasion during camp.

"He's a playmaker. Simple as that. I'm surprised we were able to get him. A player of that caliber who can go out there and make play," Oliver said. "I'm talking about from day one, from the first time I've seen him practice, he's just a playmaker. Guys like that don't normally just float around, so the fact that we was able to get him was big."

Oliver also shared that the d-line room is shaping up to be a highly competitive group and that having Marcus West as the new position coach has brought a lot of energy to the room.

"I would just say the environment (Coach West) created to where we can speak our mind a little bit. That's probably the biggest thing I can say. Just that environment is more coach and player friendly," he said.

Scroll to see the best photos from day 5 of the 2024 Buffalo Bills Training Camp. This gallery is presented by Connors & Ferris, LLP.

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