Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - If there’s one thing the Buffalo Bills have definitely had a lot of since practices shifted back to Orchard Park, it’s intensity.
Once again on Tuesday, there were a couple gatherings of players, and even a shouting match between them broke out.
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There was nothing that rose to the level of any actual fights, but one meeting was sparked after defensive end A.J. Epenesa threw offensive lineman Alec Anderson to the ground near the end of a play. Anderson took exception to it, then several other of his line mates came over to address the situation.
At the very end of practice, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive back Siran Neal, who have gotten into it more than once since training camp started, began shouting at one another. That drew the attention of the rest of the players, several of which then got involved, as well.
On the field during play, the defense got the better of the offense throughout most of practice, including a few would-be sacks and batted down balls at the line of scrimmage.
Cornerback Christian Benford, still fighting for a starting job, had a particularly impressive practice. It started in 1-on-1 drills when he did a great job to stick with Diggs and knock the ball away as it arrived.
Later, Benford had another impressive pass breakup in 11-on-11, then got into the backfield on a blitz, which forced a quick throw and incompletion.
Later, during a two-minute drill, quarterback Josh Allen threw a ball deep to where he thought Gabe Davis was running his route. However, Benford’s tight coverage forced Davis to cut it short and the ball sailed over both of their heads.
It wasn’t all defense, though, on Tuesday.
The offense still had a few big plays, including impressive plays involving three different tight ends. First, it was Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid, then Kyle Allen to Quintin Morris. Both were long catch-and-run touchdown plays.
Later in the two-minute drill, it was Josh Allen hitting Dawson Knox, who took it down the field before being knocked out of bounds.
Attendance
Linebacker Dorian Williams (calf), defensive tackle Eli Ankou (calf), wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ribs), quarterback Matt Barkley (elbow), linebacker Terrel Bernard (hamstring), and offensive lineman Greg Mancz (knee) all sat out Tuesday's session.
Defensive end Von Miller wore his padded practice pants, as he walked around the field, but did not participate. It's a possible indication he’s getting closer to returning and is getting the feel for being in pads again.
Miller remains on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The Bills have until next Tuesday, Aug. 29 to either transition him to the Reserve/PUP list and save a roster spot - making him ineligible to play in the first four games - or remove him from the list and allowing him to play immediately.
A special guest appearance
Jessica Pegula, the top-ranked American women’s tennis player in the world and daughter of co-owners Terry and Kim Pegula, was at Tuesday's practice while the NETFLIX series “Break Point” was filming her.
She leaves for New York City later Tuesday night to get ready to participate in the U.S. Open next week.
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