Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘With the Buffalo Bills set to return to St. John Fisher College on Thursday for the start of training camp, here are a few helpful tips and pointers for veteran and first-time attendees to maximize their experience…’.

‘Coleman is a player coach Sean McDermott is familiar with. He played his first four years in Philadelphia, and his rookie season of 2010 overlapped with McDermott’s last year as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.’

‘Unless you think LeSean McCoy is a mortal lock to be the starting running back, the only position that isn’t completely up for grabs on offense is quarterback, where Josh Allen is the unchallenged starter.’

‘“If we can keep the direct line of communication open, I think, although hard, that’s the healthiest way to go about it,” said Beane. “At the end of the day I know that Sean is trying to do what’s best for the Bills and it’s not a personal agenda. Hopefully he realizes the same (about me).”’

‘“It’s been awesome,” Allen said after his first few weeks together with Dorsey in the spring. “Dorsey is a great quarterback coach. He did some really good things at Carolina so we are thankful to have him here. He’s been back there, he’s played the position, he’s seen it from a quarterback’s perspective.”’

‘”I don’t remember much of my second year; it’s a big jump (for Josh Allen) just being consistent, though, with the coaching staff,” he said. “It’s always a big plus having the same coaching because then you don’t have to learn a new offense.”‘

‘Rochester-area residents can pick up a voucher that contains an offer that can redeem up to four mobile tickets at Tops Friendly Market located at 3507 Mt. Read Blvd., Greece.’

‘Last year was the previous low with 11 open to the public practices, only one of which was at night.’

‘Of course Allen is still far from a finished product, but some of his metrics last season were awful, and he will need to be much better if the Bills hope to contend for a playoff berth because he’s the hub around which the wheel spins.’

‘Regarding his uncommon rookie year youth, Edmunds said the other day following a practice at the Bills’ facility, “I embraced it. I took pride in that, and I wanted to let people know that even being a young guy I deserved to be here, and I showed up every day with the vet mentality.”’

‘“Adding competition to our roster,” coach Sean McDermott said. “A guy that we know to an extent, having had E.J. our first year. Even though E.J. was gone he’s a guy that knows what we expect and how we expect it done. He knows the system to some extent. He offers position flex being able to play outside and being able to play inside. That nickel position is important. Kevin can do some of that as well and obviously with Taron.”’

‘“I feel fortunate that he’s able to come over and talk to us,” said Allen. “It’s always good to get new ideas, especially from a guy like Jim, a Hall of Famer who played at the highest level for a long time. Just kind of picking his brain, seeing what he did on film and actually being able to ask him what his thought process was on a certain concept. Football has not changed that much; they ran the same concepts that we still run to this day.”’

‘“I love when he’s in the huddle talking to the players,” said Kelly. “They run a route, 7-on-7, team drills, they come back and he’s talking to the receiver he threw to and to the guys he didn’t throw to. It reflects back to what I was doing with Andre Reed, James Lofton, Don Beebe. You have to be on the same page and when you have a quarterback who’s willing to say something, to talk and communicate with your receivers on what you’re doing, that’s a huge, huge start. I’m excited.”’

‘The Bills lease with Erie County for New Era Field expires in 2023, but pretty soon, the owner Terry and Kim Pegula will need to know what they’re going to do. Are they going to sign a new lease to continue playing in the current venue, albeit after a major renovation? Or will they build a new stadium, either in Orchard Park or downtown Buffalo?’

‘“Hey, it’s part of my life. It is what it is,’’ he said, making it sound like cancer is a pinkie cut. “Some of my pain will be with me the rest of my life and it’s not just cancer pain, it’s stuff that happened to me when I played. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. You know the thing is guys, I know why I’m still here — it’s my faith. The good Lord has blessed me.’’’