Saturday, the real fun started.
Training Camp kicked off last Sunday for the 2022 Buffalo Bills. The upcoming season is undoubtedly the most anticipated, hyped-up regular season in the history of the storied franchise.
The players are a trainin’. The coaches are a coachin’. The chefs are a cheffin’ (turkey burgers, to be exact.) From this outside observer’s view in the Windy City, vibes are off the charts at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY.
Through the first full 7 days of practice, a few consistent themes have come from the incredible reporters on the ground (who are putting in great work!) and I’ll try to keep it as succint as possible.
- The offense has started the first few days slowly, with the defense generally being ahead in 11 on 11 battles and situational drills.
- Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and Tremaine Edmunds are the noticeable leadership council on the field every day. This was McBeane’s dream after the 2018 draft and so far Allen and Edmunds have earned nothing but praise from their head coach for their leadership.
- Khalil Shakir looks primed to contribute in his rookie year and has the talent and work ethic to make great leaps in this receiving corps.
- AJ Epenesa and Boogie Basham are showing signs of progression through the offseason.
- David Quesenberry and Tommy Doyle are going to be invaluable to the offense’s success. The entire projected starting offensive line has yet to be on the field together,
- Von Miller. Still good.
- Ed Oliver. Could be even better.
- Matt Araiza. Can kick the ball far, confirmed.
- The offense starting slow isn’t a concern… because imagine playing against THIS defense every single day. I feel bad for the Colts’ first-team defense come August 13th.
- Kaiir Elam is going to have some bumps in the road, but the talent is evident.
- Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Dawgs.
- Isaiah McKenzie… WR3 lock?
TENSION
Tensions are high in Rochester. When you have a team that is a legitimate championship contender, the work in the offseason has a different feel to it than a normal training camp.
We’ve had 4 kerfuffles (one including QB1!) and some punches thrown (by large men with their helmets still on).
Josh Allen was visibly frustrated with the offense’s production in the early days of camp. The offense has course-corrected in the meantime.
They are battling through a number of issues that the defense does not have to.
While there are new additions to the defensive side of the ball (Tim Settle, Daquan Jones and oh yeah that guy Von Miller) and old friends returning (Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips) the defensive structure remains the same.
McDermott remains the mastermind with his top lieutenant Leslie Frasier still at his side.
The offense however, looks to replace Brian Daboll. Ken Dorsey has spoken about adding new wrinkles but “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. How much will the Bills change about their offensive identity? How much should?
Will it matter what the scheme is if they are loaded at their skill positions? Diggs is Diggs, but both Davis AND McKenzie have impressed with their improvements to their games in the offseason.
Singletary, Moss and Cook have all looked strong in the backfield. I have a feeling each one will have a moment this season.
Offensive line depth has been tested, albeit against a much-improved defensive line. The ideal line hasn’t been together yet with Saffold’s injury and Dawkins’ absense. It’s nothing to worry about right now, but as we get deeper into the preseason ideally the staff will be able to get their new look line together and meshing. Speaking of that defensive line though…
Since we’re only two padded practices in, I refuse to allow myself to be too excited about any one particular aspect of this year’s team. BUT.
#1 DEFENSE
BUT.
From all accounts… this defensive line? Whewwwwwwww. Von Miller brining his normal excellence somehow is just the cherry on top. Ed Oliver has been a FORCE. Rousseau, Epenesa and Basham have been impactful every day so far. Miller is mentoring the whole group. It could be a special year for this defense. Genuine improvement. Think about that… they were the best in the league last year.
Really there’s only question mark so far during the first week of camp. When will we see Tre’Davious White on the practice field?
Really, this it the only question mark of the entire roster.
IF their all-pro cornerback can come back to the roster relatively early in the season (ideally week one), everything falls into place.
But so far, White is only working out in street clothes on the sidelines. Albeit the intensity has increased throughout the year.
That puts the spotlight on one name… Kaiir Elam. Elam, the 2022 first-round selection has been through the proverbial ringer in his first training camp.
Go ahead kid, take 1 on 1’s every day with Josh Allen throwing the ball to Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and the ever-impressive Isaiah McKenze. Talk about trial by fire.
But imagine Elam, who is currently going through CB1 boot camp against one of the best QB-WR combos in the sport, covering WR2’s across from his All-Pro teammate. With 2 All-Pro’s behind them in the secondary.
And two space-eating monsters in the middle.
And then imagine being the opposing QB, looking at all the variable of the Bills defense I listed above.
But patience is a virtue. Until White proves he is back to his old self… we’ll have to wonder what this defense could look like fully operational.
EXPECTATIONS
Josh Allen is 7/1 to win NFL MVP. The Buffalo Bills are 3/1 to win the AFC. The Buffalo Bills are +650 to win the Super Bowl.
Read those numbers again. Splash cold water on your face. Maybe a little slap to your own cheek. Touch a hot stove. Something to give you feeling in your body, because those numbers are real and they’re beautiful. I am 25 years old (a baby, I know) and never imagined the day would come that BEFORE the season, the Bills are being penciled into the Big Game.
We should cherish it. I want to say that I am reveling in all of the national attention that I have craved for our hometown team for as long as I can remember. Long are the days of waiting for the ESPN playoff machine to start up to finagle the Bills into the playoffs through multiple machinations just to watch them fall apart slowly but surely.
But I am terrified. And I’m sure you are too.
That does not mean that I don’t have faith in this time—quite the opposite. I’m picking them to go 15-2 or 14-3 this year. Two years running, I legitimately believe they have the deepest, most talented roster in the NFL.
This is the NFL. That doesn’t matter. All of that is good to hear, it gives you more confidence that you’ll have a chance in the big dance.
But we all know how it ended last year.
We all know the hurdles that remain in front of this team when it comes to the playoffs.
To be quite frank, the Hype Train™ will only keep rolling on, especially as this team racks up 11-15 regular season wins.
Which national reporters will turn on the Bills? Which ones will die for them? How quickly will national media turn on this team if they are slumping? How quickly will they prop Allen above his contemporaries?
We don’t know these answers because this is literally unchartered territory in this century of Buffalo Bills football.
But as a Buffalo sports fan, we’re kind of always waiting for the other shoe to drop, right? I mean, it always does.
But maybe.
Just maybe.
This year, it won’t.
So cherish it.
Or dread it. Run from it.
Destiny arrives all the same.
Your Friend,
Jake