Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – The Buffalo Bills have started organized team activities (OTAs) at One Bills Drive, with Tuesday being the second practice amongst the group.
Ever since Sean McDermott has been the head coach, most of the players show up for these, even though they aren't required to. McDermott says this year has been no different.
"I’ve been very impressed with the attendance we’ve had," said McDermott ahead of Tuesday's OTA session. "We’ve had great attendance throughout the whole offseason with a couple of guys missing here-and-there, so the attendance has been great. The focus day-in and day-out has been tremendous, and they’ve been intentional about improving, and us educating the players on our core beliefs."
McDermott says he still hasn’t made a decision on who will call the defense this upcoming season between himself or new defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
"It’s probably a more fair question when we’re in the middle of training camp, so I won’t make a decision before then," McDermott said.
No matter what, though, Babich will get some opportunities, according to McDermott.
"There’s gonna be intentionality, on my part, to make sure whether it’s practice or preseason games that Bobby’s given that opportunity. It’s just a matter of when and for how long," he said.
McDermott is also happy to have a number of the newcomers to the roster this season already in the building for OTAs.
"The new faces, getting those players up to speed, there’s a new excitement around," McDermott said. "Having to tell players how to get to the cafeteria and get to where the meeting room is, some if it is just the first day of school type stuff."
One of the most important parts of this time of year and bleeding into training camp is quarterback Josh Allen getting in sync with all the new receivers he has.
"I think there’s eight new faces or more, so that creates a different dynamic," McDermott noted. "It creates a wait-and-see approach, in terms of the competition and the evaluation. Who fits into what role? How do we build our offense around who we have? I really like the way those guys are working."
One of those new faces in the Buffalo locker room this season is 25-year-old wide receiver Chase Claypool. He has had four seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins.
In his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, Claypool had 62 and 59 receptions, respectively. In his last two seasons, he’s had just 54 catches total.
Claypool has had problems in the NFL in the past, but not with McDermott so far.
"I’ve been very impressed with Chase, starting with his approach," McDermott explained. "He’s a veteran receiver, a former high pick that has been on a journey through the course of his career, and I applaud Chase for coming here to see where things go. He’s very focused, working extremely hard, and embracing not just the wide receiver role, but also the special teams role that he could play for us."
Not practicing on Tuesday were safety Mike Edwards, linebacker Matt Milano, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, cornerback Rasul Douglas and offensive lineman Tommy Doyle.
Starting right tackle Spencer Brown will be out there a little bit, but not in the team drills after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
As far as Milano goes, the veteran remains on schedule in his rehab from a leg injury suffered last season in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"Matt’s here every day and it’s probably more closer to training camp until we see him out there and maybe some drill work before that, maybe not," McDermott said.
Meanwhile, veteran safety Micah Hyde said last week that if he was to play another season in the NFL, it would only be with the Bills or else he's retire.
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"We’ve had our private conversations, and Micah is always going to hold a special place in my heart," McDermott said of the 33-year-old. "Micah is always going to be on our radar, and we’ll see where it goes. Ultimately, it’ll be up to Brandon [Beane] and Micah."
McDermott also confirmed on Tuesday he’s added former NFL referee John Parry to his staff.
