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New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Bills Day 3 observations: Competition heats up at CB, WR; a message is sent to backup LBs
PITTSFORD, NY — As the Bills transition into the 2025 season, all but one of their starting positions are spoken for, which creates a natural competition in this year's training camp. The Bills have a clear need for a starting cornerback and are now tasked with deciding between youth and experience. Advertisement First-round pick Maxwell Hairston has the benefit of investment, which could help be a tiebreaker on a decision. However, veteran Tre'Davious White has the advantage of spending seven years in the Bills' scheme and was once one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He's back for another go-round with the Bills in his age-30 season. White, who had his first real offseason in a few years without having to rehab a long-term injury, has remained with the first-team defense through the first three days of training camp. He's not just a novelty for the team before it eventually gives those snaps to Hairston. White has earned the time there because he's been the better player so far in camp. 'Tre's on a mission right now,' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich remarked on Friday. The longer White can extend this unquestioned time with the top unit, the more likely it is that he can make his Buffalo comeback complete. He's often said that he feels like he's back home with the Bills after a one-year stint away playing for the Rams and Ravens, and it would be quite the homecoming story if he could stave off the first-round pick to be the opening day starter. White was asked Friday if anyone should be surprised if he wins the job and becomes the Week 1 starter in 2025. 'Absolutely not. I feel like my work speaks for itself,' White said. 'I work extremely f—ing hard, and a lot of people can see it. You can see it in my burst, the way I'm transitioning out of my breaks, the power, the way my body looks, how I feel in the morning. I put a lot of f—ing hard work in. It's not gonna be a surprise to me or nobody that's seen my work. I pride myself on putting my best foot forward. I know what type of player, so the injuries kind of slowed it up, but that's behind me now. I'm moving forward. It's gonna be a great f—ing season.' As the cornerback competition heats up, here's what else stood out at Day 3 of Bills camp. With a few days of non-padded practices in the books, it's worth compiling how the receiver group has looked on an individual basis. The group is a key to unlocking another level on offense, as the team hopes for some natural progression from the pieces they've assembled. Khalil Shakir was the Day 2 MVP, has had a strong camp and has been such a consistent performer. Outside of Shakir, their most trusted commodity, how has the top of the group looked? Advertisement Without question, Coleman is the most talked about receiver on the roster because of his role last season, his youth, where he was drafted and interest in how much he could improve in his second year. His first practice did not go well, letting multiple contested catch opportunities get knocked incomplete and without great separation. On Day 2, Coleman had a bounce-back practice, corralling multiple catches in 11-on-11s, primarily working against zone. Day 3 started well with a few shorter-yardage catches, but his inconsistency showed up to end the day. One pass went right through his hands, and then, near the end of the practice, Coleman popped open in the intermediate middle, with the pass hitting him in the breadbasket before it fell to the ground. Through three days of camp, it's been an extension of what he was as a rookie. A player who is likely to have a sizable role and shows flashes, but with some occasional maddening inconsistency. If there's one word to describe Joshua Palmer as a player, it's 'smooth.' He moves quickly and effortlessly, but never looks in a hurry. He's a plus route runner and specializes in separation, which has already been a magnet for quarterback Josh Allen early into camp. The Bills can use Palmer at both boundary positions, which gives him a high ceiling for 2025. All early indications are that Palmer will be a staple on offense and could be a sneaky candidate to lead the receivers in snaps. Through the first two days, it seemed like Samuel was firmly in control of the fourth receiver spot on the depth chart. He was getting plenty of time with Allen, receiving opportunities and moving around the offense. That was the hope from the Bills, who loved what they saw from Samuel at the end of last season. On Day 3, though, he sat out of team drills in full. He was not holding his helmet during those parts of practice and was spotted speaking with the team's athletic training staff. The team has yet to disclose what Samuel is dealing with, so it remains to be seen how this will impact his camp. Injuries defined Samuel's summer and early regular season in 2024, so the team hopes this is something minor that will take only a few days to get through. After having a good spring, Moore had his moments during team drills at training camp, though he hasn't uniformly been working with Allen and the first-team offense. That's noteworthy for those expecting he would walk into a top role on the Bills' offense. How will it look when the small and speedy Moore has to deal with the physicality of padded practices? As of now, he looks like the fifth receiver on the depth chart. For the second straight year, it looks like Shavers is pushing to make the 53-man roster. Although it's early, Shavers has progressively earned more time with the first unit over the first three days of camp. The Bills already know Shavers can play all three receiver positions, that he can be a positive on special teams and nearly made the team last year. This time around, he looks bigger and stronger. It could be difficult to find a sixth receiver spot on the 53-man roster, but Shavers has made a good early impression once again. Advertisement While most of the extension attention continues to center around running back James Cook, the real undercurrent on pressing re-sign decisions has all to do with the interior offensive line. Starting center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards are both free agents in March, and Edwards told The Athletic on Thursday that there have yet to be substantial talks with the Bills about a new deal. What makes those two decisions difficult has nothing to do with them, but rather because of the step forward starting right guard O'Cyrus Torrence took at the end of his second season. Torrence, 25, is extension-eligible in the upcoming offseason, and the Bills likely want to keep their options open to make him one of their core building blocks moving forward. Torrence turned in great performance after great performance in the second half of 2024, and it's already bled into his third training camp this summer. He's looked super steady throughout team drills, and in his first taste of one-on-ones Friday, he dominated his pass blocking rep against defensive tackle DeWayne Carter. Torrence's teammates have taken notice of his big jump from last season, and their lofty opinion of his potential might provide a window into why the Bills are in an extension holding pattern at the moment. 'I think that O'Cyrus can be one of the best, if not the best guard in this league,' Edwards said. 'There are some things that, when you look at the best guards in football, they have a God-given ability, and the really good ones have multiple. So he has God-given size. He has God-given strength and, obviously, he works at it too. Now he's learning how to play with master technique and mastery of offense, mastery of playing next to guys. I think that's when you see guys take a huge jump. I don't put expectations on people. I just know how good he is and what he's capable of.' Torrence is scheduled to become a free agent in 2027, which opens the window for an extension after this year. Should he continue his excellent showings from late last season, he could easily become their top priority in the coming offseason to lock in a deal the way they did with Christian Benford, Greg Rousseau, Terrel Bernard and Shakir heading into the final year on each of their rookie contracts. On Thursday, the Bills elected to exercise caution with their prized addition to the defensive line, as the team confirmed that Joey Bosa did not take part in team drills on Day 2 as part of their plan to keep him healthy for the long term. But what was more notable from Bosa's return to those 11-on-11 snaps on Day 3 was not that he was taking them, but who he was taking them with. With A.J. Epenesa unavailable due to an ankle injury, Bosa got some unencumbered first-team time. The Bills said in the offseason they viewed Bosa as a starter, but due to his spring-long calf injury, it was unclear how the Bills would use him with top defensive end Greg Rousseau. The initial answer had Rousseau firmly planted at left defensive end — his more natural side and where he's best as a pass rusher — with Bosa at right defensive end. Over the last two seasons, the Bills have moved Rousseau around due to past pass rushers Leonard Floyd and Von Miller being at their best on the left side. Rousseau, staying on the left side, appears to be the early priority in camp. The way they utilize players in practice often indicates their regular-season plans. There isn't much drama around the Bills' starting linebackers in 2025, as Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano will be the top duo, just as they were in 2024. Past them and clear-cut third linebacker Dorian Williams, there are questions about how the depth chart plays out and who makes the 53-man roster outright. Over the first two days, the Bills used Buffalo-native Joe Andreessen quite a bit as the second-team middle linebacker, which showed an even higher ceiling for him than he showed last year. But the Bills spent Day 3 with a new set of backup linebackers, with Baylon Spector and Shaq Thompson on the second unit. Spector, when healthy, spent 2024 as Bernard's primary backup. Thompson was a longtime starter for Sean McDermott in Carolina, made a flashy play on Thursday and likely got the second-team run as Williams was unavailable due to a calf injury. However, Thompson received the time ahead of 2024 fifth-round pick Edefuan Ulofoshio, which is not an early positive indicator for Ulofoshio. Advertisement The situation is likely fluid for the rest of training camp, though Babich made a pointed remark about the backup group. 'They need to perform, and they need to be available. That's the bottom line,' he said. The Bills have seen their fair share of linebacker injuries over the past two seasons, and the first name that sprang to mind when Babich said the 'need to be available' line was Spector. Despite being a positive special teams performer and winning the backup middle linebacker job in 2024, Spector has a lengthy history of missing time with injuries over his three years in Buffalo. Andreessen, his main competition, did not miss any regular-season time with injury in 2024. That's part of why Andreessen seems like a safe bet to make the team in 2025, while Spector appears on the bubble. The team's biggest decision will not only be about who they keep, but if they choose to keep five or six linebackers. Spector, Ulofoshio and Thompson — the three main bubble linebackers — will certainly hope it's the latter number. Day 3 MVP, S Taylor Rapp: It was a banner day for Rapp on the stat sheet, corralling two interceptions and a would-be sack against the first-team offense. The two interceptions may have been a product of 'right place, right time' above all else. His first happened in seven-on-seven, when Allen threw to Moore on a deep route, but the receiver broke it short, allowing Rapp to pick up the pieces. Later in practice, as it began to rain, it looked like the ball slipped out of Allen's hand mid-throw, and Rapp brought in the wobbly pass for the turnover. Regardless of the difficulty level, Rapp took advantage, and after the defense hadn't forced many turnovers through the first two practices, Babich will take whatever he can get. Did not participate: RT Spencer Brown (back, active PUP), C Sedrick Van-Pran Granger (calf, active PUP), WR Laviska Shenault (lower leg, non-football injury list), TE Dawson Knox (hamstring, non-football injury list), DE A.J. Epenesa (ankle), LB Dorian Williams (calf), WR David White Jr. (personal, excused).
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffalo Coach 'Eats, Sleeps And Dreams' Bills As Super Bowl Heat Gets Turned Up
Buffalo Coach 'Eats, Sleeps And Dreams' Bills As Super Bowl Heat Gets Turned Up originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills may have a defensive-minded coach in Sean McDermott, but the team's hopes on that side of the ball rest on a relatively unproven individual. Advertisement Bobby Babich has been with the organization for a time, he goes back to 2017 as a staffer here. But last season was his first as the team's main play-caller and coordinator. While the results weren't perfect, they were good enough to get Buffalo to the conference title game. The Bills are hoping another season of experience will do wonders for Babich as he develops into the job — and much more. For starters, it seems he has the endorsement of his guys. "Nobody in this building can say Bobby Babich didn't earn that," Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White said of his defensive coordinator via the team's website. "He's up all night. The only thing he does is eat, sleep, and dream about the ball. That's all he wants to talk about: the ball. And you can tell by the way this defense performed last year, there was no drop off." Advertisement White is back with the organization after a short stint with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens. He knows first-hand how important Babich has been to the Bills, even when he was a mere positional coach. As much of an argument White can make in defense of his coordinator, though, the reality remains the same. Buffalo has received an infusion of young talent throughout the 2025 offseason. There are no excuses left for Babich, now 41. Not that he ever did so personally, but he cannot play the inexperienced card. He will be unable to deflect blame. The heat is about to be turned up. This is his defense. And he may need to make this group into a Super Bowl-caliber bunch if he wants to keep his job. Advertisement Related: Blockbuster Trade Pitch Moves All-Pro Safety To Bills In 'Honey' Of A Deal Related: Bills Named As Trade Destination For Top NFC Holdout Weapon This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills 'Big Human' Turning Heads As Potential Shocker on 53-Man Roster
Bills 'Big Human' Turning Heads As Potential Shocker on 53-Man Roster originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Six of the Buffalo Bills' nine draft picks this offseason came on the defensive side of the football. Advertisement While first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston and second-round tackle TJ Sanders get all the attention, there's another defensive rookie who can immediately impact the 2025 unit. Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson wasn't selected until the third round of the draft, but he's already made a shocker of a strong first impression for one of the better defenses in the league. "He's a big human," said Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich during the first week of June. "We definitely wanted to make sure that there was a size piece to what we were trying to do. "Certainly, he has a long way to go in adapting and him earning the right to play and carve out a role for himself, but he's doing a good job. A heck of a dude, and I'm happy he's here." Advertisement In three seasons with the Razorbacks, Jackson recorded 16 sacks, including back-to-back seasons with 6.5. He stood out during the Senior Bowl and had the athletic profile to be seen as a steal in the third round. At 6'6" and 260 pounds, Jackson is considered an oversized edge rusher. If he can add an element of speed to his game, he could become a better player than most realize. But it won't be easy. Buffalo already has strong role players along the defensive line, including Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, and A.J. Epenesa. Jackson will need to stand out in a big way during training camp if he wants to see the field early in his career. Advertisement So far, though, it appears he's doing precisely that. Related: Bills' First-Round Pick Predicted to 'Disappoint' in Rookie Season Related: ESPN Provides Empty 'Update' On Bills' James Cook Contract This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Coach Ranking Reveals Steep Drop After Major Change
Bills Coach Ranking Reveals Steep Drop After Major Change originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2023, the Buffalo Bills were led by QB Josh Allen but were also anchored by one of the finest defenses in football. They finished fourth in the league in points allowed and ninth in yards given up, culminating in a successful 11-6 campaign. Advertisement That was with head coach Sean McDermott calling plays. But ... in 2024? A major change. In his first season since being hired as defensive coordinator and play-caller, Bobby Babich did to his credit keep Buffalo's defense competing despite several major injuries throughout the year. At the same time, Buffalo suffered a significant decrease in almost every statistic across the boat. To wit ... The Bills finished 17th in yards allowed and 11th in points given up during the 2024 campaign. And no position group saw a steeper decline from the prior year than Buffalo's secondary, as that group finished 24th in the league in both passing yards allowed and touchdowns. Advertisement That is why one site ranks Babich as the 19th-best coordinator in the league going into 2025. "In his second season of calling defensive plays for the Buffalo Bills, Bobby Babich has the chance to cement himself as one of the top ascending coaches in the NFL," the site said. "Buffalo's defense was in the middle of the pack in 2024, but Babich's work as a positional coach has been impressive over the years." Those are some rather positive words, given the stat decline. There is, however, reason to believe that Babich will have more success in his second season as a play-caller. Buffalo addressed several needs on the defensive side of the ball, muscling up with free agent acquisitions like Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi. Advertisement With an infusion of talent coming from the draft (highlighted by first-round corner Maxwell Hairston), the Bills are giving Babich some more of the sort of assets needed to field a top unit this season. And once the football bullets start to fly? Buffalo's young coordinator will be under the microscope - stats-related and more - in 2025. Related: Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld Earn Major Award Nominations Related: Bills Trade for $36 Million 'Seamless Fit' Expected to Lift Josh Allen This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bobby Babich, Bills Looking For More Consistency in 2025 Defense
Bobby Babich, Bills Looking For More Consistency in 2025 Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills have always seemed to find a way to field an elite defensive unit over the last few years. Advertisement Since head coach Sean McDermott was hired in 2017, Buffalo's defense has been a key part of the team's success including two runs to the conference championship game. As the organization looks to turn that success into a championship unit, though, there's one thing the young group must prove in 2025. Being more consistent. "The biggest thing is the consistency. I think the biggest thing is the consistency we talked a lot about that last year," defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said to WGRZ in Buffalo. "I think the overall consistency in our approach, in our execution, making sure that no matter who we're playing, certain things stay the same. I need to make sure I do that first and foremost as the leader of the defense. Advertisement "That would be my biggest thing, is the consistency and our overall approach to the game." There can be a new plan here. In fact, there needs to be, as the Bills know their own truth here. Buffalo's defense struggled mightily in the playoffs against some of the top teams in the league including the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. Those kinds of matchups can be forgiven. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are two of the best quarterbacks in the game. But if they want to reach the Super Bowl, there will need to prove they can be consistent in the biggest moments of the sport. And Babich's plan should be able to help with that. Advertisement Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
