Niagara Gazette

‘Torrence has been getting most of the snaps with the No. 1 offense throughout training camp, but there was some uncertainty because incumbent Ryan Bates was also getting some reps and was also playing center with the No. 2 offense, since the Bills didn’t have a true center behind Mitch Morse.’

‘“The more reps you get, the more comfortable you start feeling with the plays, the less thinking you have to do,” Knox told the Gazette in an August sit-down interview. “So just kind of comes as second nature now, being able to spend more thinking about diagnosing the defense, what Josh (Allen) might be thinking, instead of just where to line up and what play to run.”’

‘“Looking back on it, (I tried) to take what I can from it, and try to make the best out of out of the situation,” Bernard told the Gazette Wednesday. “So, having an opportunity to really study the playbook and watch as much film as I could, while I was in the training room getting healthy, I think I tried to make the best out of my situation, but I never want to get hurt, especially in the middle of a competition like that.”’

‘But the one that Beane let get away was guard Wyatt Teller, a 2018 fifth-round pick who was traded after one season has since become a two-time Pro Bowler for the Cleveland Browns. “I didn’t do a good job with Wyatt Teller. We moved too quick on that,” Beane said. “Boogie could go home and have a great career. I’m seriously happy for Wyatt. I hate that it didn’t happen here and that’s on me and the same for Boogie. I’ll be rooting for Boogie other than when he steps in this building Week 6. Sometimes it’s just timing and you try to look at everything and these are tough decisions.”’

‘One notable cut was long snapper Reid Ferguson, who was the longest tenured player on the team. However, Ferguson’s contract did not hold any cap penalties for being released and his longevity in the NFL does not make him subject to waivers.’

‘The Bills have been vague throughout the offseason as to Miller’s odds of playing at the start of the season, while general manager Brandon Beane admitted they knew for “a long time” that he would start training camp on the PUP list, although there have been no setbacks during his recovery.’

‘At some point the Bills are going to have to make a decision here. Whether Miller starts the season on PUP or not, it’s difficult to see them carrying six defensive ends the entire season. Epenesa and Basham flashed at times during training camp and seem like impactful players in a rotation in which no player played 50% of the snaps last season. But both offer the best trade value and it’s difficult to see the Bills cut anyone on this list outright.’

‘Allen was well protected and the offensive line was penalty-free, as the Bills committed two fouls the entire game. With a clean pocket to throw from, Allen went 5 of 7 for 49 yards, picking apart the Bears with short throws.’

‘The best scenario for Buffalo would involve Allen efficiently moving the offense down the field on the first possession, scoring a touchdown and then turning over the game to backup quarterback Kyle Allen. But otherwise, the Bills just need to see if Allen is on the same page as his receivers and they limit pre-snap penalties.’

‘“He’s done some good things,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “He’s very quiet and doesn’t say a lot off the field. … and he just comes in and does his job and doesn’t say a lot. Like I said, he’s prepared and he’s done a good job to this point.”’

‘This is the first time Allen has played more than one preseason game since 2019 and the final exhibition game has traditionally excluded starters and key players in recent years. There is a growing trend, however, to play starters and McDermott’s decision comes on the heels of several other teams announcing they would play starters, including the Chiefs, who hinted Patrick Mahomes may play in their third preseason game and has played in the first two.’

‘“It’s really not relevant. I mean, we’ve had good games for pass rush-wise,” Rousseau told the Gazette after practice Wednesday. “We’ve had games where we want to pick it up. Every week’s a new week. So I kind of have that approach of like, ‘What’s in front of me? How can I get better? How can I fix what went wrong? How can I keep doing what went well?’ So that’s kind of my approach.”’

‘“100% not true,” Diggs wrote. “I don’t know who the source is but I thought I nip this sh– in the bud already.” Two minutes later, Diggs added: “Rocking wit my dawgs… Bills mafia through and through!!!”’

‘Instead, it’s more about getting a test run against certain fronts and coverages. That was obvious in watching how the Bills blocked one of the best defensive lines in the league and the offensive line play wasn’t as bad as it appeared at first glance.’

‘It wasn’t an ideal first impression of the No. 1 offense — which did not include Dawson Knox, who dressed but did not play with finger injury — but it’s hardly cause for concern yet. The play calling in the preseason is always vanilla, while who and what was seen on the field against the Steelers won’t be the same as Week 1 against the Jets.’