Niagara Gazette

‘McDermott acknowledged that the “main reason” Hardy was drafted in the sixth round out of Penn State was to be a returner. The Bills worked on kickoffs and kick returns during practice Sunday, with Andy Isabella and Darrynton Evans going as the first group of returners, followed by Hardy and K.J. Hamler.’

‘Both are now in their 30s, weathered by age and nearly a decade apiece in the NFL, but the relationship between the Buffalo Bills defensive tackle duo hasn’t changed much over the last 11 years, when they first met at Penn State. Jones was a senior, looking to establish himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the country, while Johnson was a freshman who wanted to prove he could compete right away.’

‘Bishop spent Thursday’s practice in a T-shirt and shorts, but had no visible brace or bandaging. During the first three days of training camp, Bishop, Edwards and Damar Hamlin alternated days with the first-team defense alongside Taylor Rapp.’

‘The Bills only have one true position battle (safety), but there may be more roster spots up for grabs than in previous seasons. Not only do the Bills have a lot of veteran players, but players who have been with the team for a while, even if it’s only on the practice squad.’

‘Edwards had been in a three-way battle with rookie Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin for Buffalo’s second starting safety spot. Edwards, brought in from Kansas City, missed all of minicamp due to shoulder surgery and was walking gingerly during practice Monday, after coach Sean McDermott labeled him week-to-week.’

‘Of the 53 games he played for the Los Angeles Rams over the first four seasons of his career, Edwards started 45. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams, but then he came to the Bills on a one-year deal and it was clear he was going to be a backup from the jump, considering they signed Connor McGovern for more money over a longer term to play left guard and drafted O’Cyrus Torrence in the second round to play right guard.’

‘”I’ll call them front-runners,” Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver said. “They act like they’re excited, but they really not excited. … A lot of offensive guys. Everybody is pretty much excited. … 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.”‘

‘Allen torched the Bills defense in seven-on-seven work early in practice, throwing a touchdown to rookie Keon Coleman, who beat cornerback Rasul Douglas in the corner of the end zone.’

‘It was the first public appearance for Pegula since suffering a cardiac arrest in June 2022. As practice was wrapping up, Pegula’s husband, Terry, walked over to the vehicle and helped his wife get out.’

‘“No charges were ever filed and the case is closed,” Miller said Thursday. “I’m able to just move forward and focus solely on football.”’

‘The Bills haven’t wasted any time integrating Hollins and the other new receivers into the offense. The 6-foot-4 Hollins saw a significant amount of time with the first-team offense during red zone drills on the opening day of practice and he was once again featured in 11-on-11 sessions Thursday, making three grabs, including a laser from Josh Allen that zipped between cornerback Christian Benford and safety Mike Edwards for a completion.’

‘With only one returning wide receiver (Khalil Shakir), Allen got together with the quarterbacks and receivers in Nashville before camp to continue working to get on the same page. But that’s something Allen does with receivers every summer.’

‘“If you saw me throwing it after (practice) with Mack Hollins, I can’t throw the ball high enough,” Allen said. “Even if I get him jumping, it’s still not where they want it. I gotta keep getting it as high as possible and creating as much separation as I can against those DBs and utilize their height and their tools to go up and catch a ball. So it’s something we’re gonna keep working on, I’m excited.”’

‘The Bills have won a lot under McDermott, but winning also has a price. Given the roster turnover this year, it seems only a complete debacle would cost McDermott his job, but it’s fair to wonder how many times the Bills can afford to hit a wall in the second round.’

‘“When we’re communicating with each other, he’s saying the communication before I even get it out,” Bernard said. “Just little things here and there, talking about the splits, about situational ball, like what’s coming, what the offense is presenting to us. Me and him have a really tight connection, and … we see things the same way, so having him right behind me, and just reciprocating what I’m thinking, it builds a level of confidence between both of us.”’