Pittsford, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills kicked off their final week of training camp at St. John University on Sunday. Just two days after their Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage, Buffalo was back on the field. It was a lighter day for the team as they were not in full pads, but that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t plenty of action to discuss.
The biggest news of the day was guard Rodger Saffold coming off of the team’s Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. Saffold was involved in a car accident this offseason that left him dealing with a rib injury. The guard was spotted last week doing work off to the side in his street clothes so many figured his return was on the horizon. That return took place on Sunday.
Saffold was limited in action taking part in individual drills as the Bills will likely ease the guard into action.
Here are my other observations from Sunday’s practice.
More good news for the offensive line
In addition to seeing Saffold back on the field, Spencer Brown seems closer to playing meaningful reps for Buffalo.
Last year’s starting right tackle took part in 1-on-1 drills and team drills as well. He received a welcome back moment of sorts going against Von Miller. To say the pass-rusher won the rep with ease would be an understatement. Brown, of course, is still getting his feet wet following a back procedure this offseason.
It will be interesting to see what Brown’s workload looks like over the final week of camp and in the preseason.
Boogie in the backfield
Boogie Basham found his way into the backfield a few times on Sunday. The second year defensive end recorded a would be sack of Josh Allen when the play was whistled dead during 11-on-11s. He appeared to be in the backfield a second time around Allen later in practice. It sounded as though the play was whistled dead, but Allen released the throw for a short completion to Gabe Davis.
Basham was also impressive during 1-on-1 drills. He regularly won his reps.
Basham and Greg Rousseau have had strong summers to date. With opposing defenses having to pay plenty of attention to Von Miller and Ed Oliver, the second-year pass rushers could be in for big seasons.
Jamison Crowder working on chemistry with Allen
Josh Allen and Jameson Crowder worked on their chemistry at Sunday’s practice. Allen targeted Crowder a few times during 11 on 11′s and the receiver hauled in every pass thrown his way. After Crowder and Allen exited the field on one series, Crowder went to Allen to discuss the routes further. Crowder has missed a lot of time at camp due to soreness and it’s clear that he’s trying to make up for that lost time with Allen.
Things get heated briefly
It wasn’t a full blown fight by any means, but the Bills had another brief scuffle at camp on Sunday. Offensive lineman David Quessenberry and linebacker Tyrel Dodson had to be separated at one point during practice. Dodson’s helmet came off during the interaction, but things were broken up quickly.
Isaiah Hodgins stacking days
Hodgins is stringing together his best training camp to date as a member of the Bills. At Sunday’s practice, Hodgins was targeted early and often. He hauled in most of the targets thrown his way and almost pulled in a sideline ball that was just off the mark.
Buffalo has a loaded receiver room, but Hodgins is doing everything in his power to show the Bills that he deserves one of the team’s final roster spots at receiver.
Bills ink Gilliam to extension
Before Sunday’s practice, the team announced a two-year extension for fullback Reggie Gilliam. Gilliam, a former UDFA out of Toledo, made the Bills’ roster as a rookie and hasn’t looked back.
In addition to serving as a fullback, Gilliam can also play tight end and it is one of Buffalo’s better special teams players. Defensive end Greg Rousseau praised Gilliam’s ability to do a little bit of everything for the Bills offense.
“Reggie’s a Swiss Army knife,” said Rousseau. “You can plug him in at fullback, tight end or running back. It doesn’t matter. He just wants to help the team win.” As for his blocking ability, Rousseau referred to Gilliam as a bowling ball.
For Gilliam, the extension brings him a piece of mind but he doesn’t plan on letting up anytime soon.
“Yeah, a sense of relief for sure, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let off the gas at all,” Gilliam told the media post-practice. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Jordan Miller records INT
Matt Barkley was sharp on Friday at the Return of the Blue & Red, but he had one really bad pass on Sunday. Barkley threw a ball directly toward two defenders and it was intercepted by Jordan Miller. Miller has not been with the team long, but plays like this could put him on Buffalo’s radar for the practice squad.
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