V-Ry is back with a pre-season Buffalo Bills rundown
Return of the Blue & Red
90 degree temperatures didn’t deter 35,000 fans from attending the annual Return of the Blue & Red practice at Highmark Stadium on August 5th. The stands were rocking as the Bills took the field in full pads for a two hour Friday night practice session. Bills Mafia was in mid-seson form as quarterback Josh Allen and the offense put on a show.
MVP Caliber
Josh Allen looked like the MVP frontrunner throughout practice displaying skills unmatched by any other signal caller in the league. The arm talent and running ability Bills fans have become accustomed to was evident. Allen exhibited incredible accuracy putting the ball on the receivers and dropping it in the bucket on numerous occasions. Of course as the face of the franchise, Allen was a crowd favorite after practice, playing catch with kids in the stands, shaking hands, and signing autographs.
Diggs & Davis Shine
The wide receivers looked excellent, running great routes and catching everything they got their hands on. Stefon Diggs was his typical self, seemingly sharing one mind with quarterback Josh Allen. After hauling in four touchdowns in the divisional round loss to the Chiefs, Gabriel Davis appears to be poised for a break out year. Davis has turned in highlight reel plays throughout training camp and should help keep the Bills passing game near the top of the league this season.
Offensive Observations
Isiah McKenzie should be considered a lock for the slot receiver role. Dawson Knox appears to be picking up where he left off last season at the tight end position. Rookie running back James Cook has flashed all offseason and should create mismatches for an already stacked offense.
Pass Rush Prowess
The defense should be dominant once again this season with a formidable pass rush. The age defying defensive end Von Miller looks like a future hall of famer and second year pass rusher Gregory Rousseau appears to be well on his way to all-pro status. The defensive tackle position should also be stronger this season with greater depth and an almost unblockable Ed Oliver anchoring the middle.
Cornerback Competition
With the absence of Tre’Davious White in the defensive backfield, the inexperienced players have had to take first team repetitions. Rookie first round pick Kair Elam has been aggressive in practice and should be considered the favorite to start opposite of White. Taron Johnson has been reliable at the slot corner position as fans have come to expect. Rookie Christian Benford has turned in big plays all summer and should find a role in a defense lacking depth at the cornerback position.
Final Notes
Training camp concludes at the end of the week as practice returns to 1 Bills Drive. The first preseason game is this Saturday as the Bills play host to the Colts. The team is set to face the Super Bowl champion Rams in primetime from Los Angeles to kickoff the regular season on Thursday September 8th.
