Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“I think the more years go by, he might start to realize, like, you probably don’t need a fight every day,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady said with a wry smile on the second day of training camp at St. John Fisher University. “But if I had to put money on Day 1, it was going to be him. But he doesn’t blink. It’s his personality. It’s way easier to tell a guy to back off than to bite. I never have to worry about him biting.”’

‘However, Hardy has one ace up his sleeve as he battles through training camp at St. John Fisher University, and then in the coming weeks when the team moves back to One Bills Drive and starts playing preseason games. He can return punts, and he might be able to return kickoffs.’

‘“We need Greg Rousseau to be the best version of himself. That’s it,” Babich said Monday before practice at St. John Fisher University. “I’ll never put an expectation on players. I think the thing you’ve got to do is you’ve got to find out what the player wants. There’s no heightened expectation, there’s a maturation process in this league and as long as we go out here and we put in the work, we’ll be in good shape.”’

‘“Sean (McDermott) wants a physical brand of football, and I guess this is an old-school term,” Babich said. “But this is something, as you see (on the shirt), that was established in 2019. Every week that we win, we give out the most physical hit of the game. These guys make a lot of money, but they get very excited about this T-shirt.”’

‘Most pressing is the situation at safety as Mike Edwards (hamstring) and Cole Bishop (shoulder) are not going to be back for at least a couple weeks, maybe more. That has meant players like Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin have had to take on additional reps, especially with the first-string defense.’

‘“I’ve said this a multitude of times,” Allen said back on the first day of training camp at St. John Fisher University. “I remember being that kid looking up to somebody in my position, so making sure that I can (pay attention), whether it’s a quick fist bump or high five or sign some things. I try to go around and give high fives to everybody that showed up just to thank them for coming out and showing their support.”’

‘Coleman has flashed almost every day at Fisher, not only showing good hands, but with his ability to win his routes, and Josh Allen has noticed.’

‘The meal will include 2 cheeseburgers, 2 medium fries and a 20-piece Chicken McNuggets, all packaged in a specially designed Bills Mafia Box for $14.99. They will be sold at at participating McDonald’s restaurants throughout the season while supplies last. They will not be available in New York City and Long Island.’

‘“This is the NFL,” Babich said matter of factly. “Next man up, that’s what it is.”’

‘Davidson took a unique path to the NFL. He was an all-state punter in high school in Missouri who also played on the basketball team. One night he had two steals which led to two breakaway dunks which showed off his athleticism, and the head football coach of Division II Central Missouri, Jim Svoboda, happened to be there to see it.’

‘The newness of the kickoff play has created many extra hours of work for the officials who now have to learn the intricacies, of which there are several, and be prepared to make the proper calls under the glare of the always bright lights they operate under.’

‘The 24-year-old who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent the entire season on the practice squad, is considered a longshot to make the final 53-man team because ahead of him there’s Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Mack Hollins who appear to be locks, plus veterans Marques Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool.’

‘The temperature was in the mid-80s and this might have been the most humid day at camp since the Bills arrived last Wednesday, so the heat index was brutal. And while it was slightly overcast early, the sun was out in full force for the final five practice periods.’

‘Jackson was released on Christmas Day last year by the Denver Broncos following his second suspension of the season. Houston signed him up for the final two games and the playoffs.’

‘Having graduated from Aquinas High School and SUNY Brockport, then working 10 years for a Rochester-based marketing and consulting firm, the native of Walworth had just been hired by the Buffalo Bills for the newly created position of senior manager of Rochester operations.’