Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills passing game has been the marquee attraction most days at training camp, but on Tuesday afternoon the running game forcefully grabbed everyone’s attention.
Led by third-year back Devin Singletary, the Bills offense showcased its ability to run the football in several run-heavy 11-on-11 team drills. Bills backup quarterback Jake Fromm, who’s expected to play for the first time in the NFL on Friday when Buffalo opens its preseason schedule on the road against Detroit, said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has the offense working “a lot more” on the running game the past few days at practice.
“(In) practice (we’re) running the football a lot more (in) team run periods. Coach Dabs said something about running the football,” Fromm said. “So I think that’s something that we got to be ready to do, got to be prepared to do and I think we’ve been working a lot on that.”
Singletary broke off a few big-time runs as the offense line, which struggled in pass protection throughout practice, was able to open up some running lanes for the backs. Zack Moss was on the field during individual work but left before the team portions began. The Bills haven’t released an injury report yet today.
With Moss out of the mix, Matt Breida was able to get more touches and he took advantage of the opportunity. He also had a few runs that reached the second level of the defense. Breida’s speed was on full display. Singletary ran hard and was able to do most of his damage in between the tackles, while Breida’s success came more to the outside.
The Bills were in pads on Tuesday, making Singletary’s big day all the more impressive. He’s been quiet as a runner for most of camp but showcased some of the burst and vision we saw from him as a rookie. Breida’s work in the run game impressed but he also had a nice catch and run near the end of practice. If Tuesday’s practice was any indication, expect the Bills to try and run the ball on Friday.
Defensive front dominated the day
There were certainly some nice runs on the day, but if we’re talking about the majority of reps the edge would have to go to the defensive line. On at least four occasions it seemed like the entire front four rushing was in the backfield, either in Josh Allen’s face, Mitchell Trubisky’s face, or blowing up a run play.
On one play for example, Trubisky was in at quarterback. Before he even finished his drop, the entire defensive line that was rushing - Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham, Star Lotulelei, and Harrison Phillips - had beaten their matchups and were in the backfield. Phillips had his best practice of camp and Justin Zimmer couldn’t be blocked at times.
On one play, Phillips blew past Jamil Douglas to meet Singletary beyond the line of scrimmage for the tackle for a loss. A few minutes later he beat Ike Boettger and earned the sack against Allen. Zimmer had one rep against Jack Anderson where he faked one way and quickly burst inside and left the rookie on the ground as he won the rep.
Rousseau had a sack that probably could have been credited to anyone on the line on the play. The rookie blew by Jordan Devey and seemed to be the closest to the quarterback when the whistle went off. It was a tough day for Caleb Benenoch, who continues to lose consistently in his one-on-one matchups. Carlos Basham delivered a solid punch on a power rush and blew the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer off the line early in practice. Efe Obada beat him badly on another rep later in the day.
Bills go Up tempo to end practice
Allen looked good at the end of practice as the Bills offense started throwing the ball a little bit. Outside of one fumble on a scramble attempt from Allen, the 25-year-old completed five of eight throws, including a 30-yard connection with Jake Kumerow, who had a mismatch against slot cornerback Taron Johnson. One notable line rep came in the form of Mario Addison winning against rookie Spencer Brown that forced Allen to evade the pocket.
Joe Giles-Harris always around the ball
I’ve written about Giles-Harris a few times now and he forced my hand once again with a play in the passing game. Allen tried to fit in a ball to what looked like the tight end, but Giles-Harris flew right to left and dove to break it up. He’s going to be a fun player to watch on Friday night to monitor where he lines up, not only on defense but on special teams as well.
Nice practice for Knox/Hollister
This was the best practice to date for the entire tight end room, specifically Dawson Knox. He made four catches by my count and just looked comfortable and in sync with Allen throughout the day. Jacob Hollister made a couple grabs and Tommy Sweeney got into the mix with a few catches, too.
OL/DL 1-on-1 winners
The two biggest winners from these battles had to be Mario Addison and Justin Zimmer. Cody Ford was outmatched by Zimmer, who used his quickness and get off to win the rep. Addison went up against Spencer Brown in what proved to be a bad mismatch. Darryl Johnson also had a “wow” rush and win against Jordan Devey.
Solid camp for a couple DB starters
I haven’t written a ton about them but it’s worth mentioning the consistency of Levi Wallace and Taron Johnson throughout camp. Johnson had a nice pass breakup today on a rep against Gabriel Davis and has been really good the past few weeks. Wallace had maybe one day where he was picked on a bit, but as usual he doesn’t give up big plays.
Jerry Hughes returns/Dion Dawkins update
Hughes was in pads for the first time since everyone reported for camp on Tuesday and he even mixed in a few times during team drills. Dawkins is still on the Covid/Reserve list but did do some light conditioning work off to the side at practice. Matt Milano, Jon Feliciano, Tommy Doyle and Mitch Morse all returned to practice. Marquel Lee was placed on the Covid/Reserve list.
READ MORE
Bills have 9 percent chance of winning Super Bowl, says ESPN’s Football Power Index
Bills on the bubble: What they’re saying about Jake Kumerow, Darryl Johnson, Efe Obada, more
Baker Mayfield shares thoughts on Bills QB Josh Allen receiving contract extension
Talk about the Bills
Be sure to check out and subscribe to “Shout! The Buffalo Football Podcast” with beat writers Matt Parrino and Ryan Talbot.
Facebook | Twitter | APPLE | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE | YOUTUBE
Upgrade your NFL stuff
Sideline gear | Gameday masks | Livestream schedule | Bills gear
Article From & Read More ( Bills’ Devin Singletary, Matt Breida break off big runs, defense brings the heat on Day 11 of camp (8 observa - syracuse.com )https://ift.tt/3AuwkAK
Sports
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Bills’ Devin Singletary, Matt Breida break off big runs, defense brings the heat on Day 11 of camp (8 observa - syracuse.com"
Post a Comment