Niagara Gazette

‘Spector was in the mix to be the starting middle linebacker for the Buffalo Bills early in training camp last year and then a hamstring injury in the final preseason game put him on injured reserve until Week 6. He returned for two games, playing 28 special teams snaps, and exacerbated his hamstring, putting him on the shelf for three more weeks.’

‘It’s just an example of how competitive NFL practices can become, especially during training camp when players are fighting for a job. That’s also why, even as tackling has largely been eliminated and contact overall has been stripped down during practices, coaches don’t feel the need to play starters for long stretches during preseason games, if at all.’

‘Offensive coordinator Joe Brady says the playbook is mostly installed, with a few adjustments and tweaks done throughout the season based on personnel and opponent. Allen and the Bills offense seemed comfortable to start Wednesday’s practice after getting bested by the defense Monday for the first time during training camp.’

‘Nine Bills players have recorded a 100-yard game since Allen entered the NFL, but Diggs accounted for 21 of the 45 such games. Right now the Bills do not have a clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but the top-four has been consistent from the start.’

‘Grable walked on at Jacksonville State as a tight end, but while redshirting his freshman year, he put on 30 pounds. Jacksonville State decided to move him to offensive tackle, where he became a standout good enough to transfer to Central Florida, where he became an all-conference player.’

‘“He knows so much about what’s going on in the situations that he wants to communicate everything to everybody,” Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard said. “Having the mic, I’m the one that he’s talking to. And, you know, I’ve been in his room for the last two years, so I’m used to how he communicates and what he wants to get communicated.”’

‘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.’