WGR

‘”I thought it was a good start,” Peterman said with Howard Simon and Jeremy White at training camp on Wednesday. “Obviously there’s a few things I thought I could have done better, but it was a good start. It was the first preseason game, [we have] a long ways to go, but just trying to build off of everything.”‘

‘The rain was coming down hard early in the morning, so the team canceled their originally scheduled 8:45 a.m. practice outside and moved indoors for a walk-through. They then practiced at 4 p.m. outside and for the first time under Sean McDermott, used the turf field on campus. McDermott has exclusively used the grass field in his two training camps in charge of the Bills, but with the rain making that field wet, he chose to stay off it and work on the synthetic surface.’

‘Taylor had some positive things to say about Buffalo, and how he won the starting spot under center as a player that no one knew coming into Bills camp three years ago, “When I walked into Buffalo, a lot of people didn’t really know my name, I was able to win the starting job and was able to break a 17-year playoff drought. There was a lot that was accomplished in those years, thankful for those opportunties and moreso glad for the opportunity I have here (in Cleveland).” ‘

‘For the first time this training camp, Jones wore a blue jersey like the rest of his offensive teammates. He had been wearing a red non-contact jersey for the past week since returning from his off-season surgery that caused him to miss all of OTAs and minicamp. Jones isn’t just working in, either. He’s looked very sharp since returning to the field, including Monday. He appears confident and focused and has caught every catchable ball thrown his way.’

‘”Yeah, absolutely. And I think obviously it’s going to depend on whom is the starting quarterback, but with that said, I think you’re absolutely right, John. I think he’s not going to be shy about being innovative and implementing different things. And let’s not forget, Lesean McCoy is obviously a huge part of this offense, and it’s almost like he’s flying under the radar and people aren’t talking about him because everyone’s focused on the quarterbacks, but I think that versatility and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield—they were working on screen plays today, for example—and I think that’s gonna be a big, big part.”‘

‘Aside from the damages, the basis of Cordon’s lawsuit was that McCoy purposely changed security system codes on the property in order to create a hostile, hazardous situation on the premises. There were also allegations from Cordon within the lawsuit which stated that McCoy would “brutally beat his dog” and physically discipline and beat his young son.” There is not, however, any further mention of police contact following these incidents.’

‘After a solid performance by all three QBs turned in during the team’s first preseason game Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, head coach Sean McDermott declined to say who would start the Friday’s game at the Cleveland Browns, only to say the team will continue with their rotation.’

‘I absolutely love the fact that on Allen’s first play in the NFL, they let him rip it over 60 yards down field. The ball was caught by Robert Foster, but it was off the mark and well out of bounds. Foster had a step on his man and all Allen had to do was throw the ball towards the middle of the field and let Foster run under it. On 3rd-and-4, Austin Proehl dropped the ball and it was three-and-out.’

‘Peterman is starting. That’s a surprise. The thing I’m watching for with him, is whether or not he can deliver the ball to the sidelines. I don’t think he can. Peterman’s five interception performance in San Diego is generally the thing people remember the most, but I’m going to keep going back to the end of the playoff game in Jacksonville. The Bills were alive in the game when Peterman threw a decisive pick that just didn’t have the velocity to get to the target. Can he operate in a fast anticipating scheme? Possibly… I just don’t think he has the arm to make all the throws.’

‘The Bills offense took to the field first in the second half, this time led by the rookie Allen. The seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft went 0-of-2 on his first drive, but not from inaccuracy issues. Allen’s first pass of the drive was a 52-yard bomb downfield that was caught by undrafted rookie Robert Forster, but the throw was well out of bounds. The second pass was dropped at the sideline by rookie receiver Austin Proehl for, what would have been, a first down.’

‘It’s pretty safe to say if Kelvin Benjamin makes it to free agency, a reunion with Newton and the Panthers is not likely to happen.’

‘With Trent Murphy‘s injury making him unavailable to play, Lawson was presented with a huge opportunity to prove he’s a player this team can rely on to be a big contributor. He took that opportunity and ran with it showing up in both the run and passing game on defense. I really liked his effort all night long, which is something people have questioned about him in the past.’

‘Reilly had an excellent preseason catching 11 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. He was the darling of fans, many of which were critical when he was cut and brought back for the practice squad. Reilly said, “I was frustrated for a bit, but at the end of the day, I sat down and thought to myself, coming out undrafted, my ultimate goal was to make the practice squad last year so I did fulfill that, so it was frustrating, but same mentality, just keep working and it’s paying off.”’

‘”I like him. He’s got a lot of talent. Coach Babich is very high on him as well. His football IQ is way up there, and athletically there’s nothing he cannot do. He’s 6’4″, 6’5″, 235 pounds and runs as fast as he needs to. He can jump, too. The thing you worry most about with a young guy is the mental part of this game. From what I hear from Bob, he said this kid is smart and he gets it. He hasn’t made a lot of mental errors in training camp, which is great. He’s just a good kid overall.”‘

‘Many eyes will be on Allen in particular, mostly since he is the one who can turn the competition upside down. If Allen impresses and dominates against lesser competition in the second half, the coaching staff will need to open Allen up to more reps with the first or second team. Allen could get more time with the first and second team if there are major struggles from McCarron or Peterman as well. With Allen likely to play out the second half, most fans will be ready to pick apart and analyze every pass by the seventh overall pick.’