Pittsford, NY (WGR550) - With training camp usually comes several skirmishes and even some outright fights. Through the first week of Bills camp here at St. John Fisher University we haven't had much of that, aside from the occasional jawing back-and-forth.
It happened on Saturday and in a pretty unusual way.
On the very last play of the first day of pads, quarterback Josh Allen was headed into the end zone for a possible touchdown while the team was doing 11-on-11 work. On his way there he was bumped just as the whistle blew. He turned around and shoved defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
Immediately, several players from both the offense and defense started grabbing both players to separate them. A couple then came running in from their positions further outside the play.
Not much came of it after that but it was very notable because you don't often see a quarterback involved in something like that at training camp since they aren't allowed to be hit, and especially don't see QBs actually initiating the first shove.
McKenzie the receiver
At this point I want to declare, unofficially of course, Isaiah McKenzie as the third wide receiver for this team. He gets a lot of work on offense and looks really good doing it. On Saturday, he made an excellent grab in the back of the end zone for a touchdown from Allen.
McKenzie was running along the back line and had to get up really high for the ball before coming down and making sure that not only one foot was in bounds but that he got a knee down as he went to the ground, as well.
Even if he's not going to be a factor in the return game, McKenzie looks like he's going to be a big part of this football team in 2022.
Speedy flashes
Second-year receiver Marquez Stevenson is definitely in the mix to be the main return man, but he also had a really good day catching the ball on Saturday, twice making adjustments down the field during one-on-one drills to make excellent grabs. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey told the media this week they want to be a speed offense. Stevenson, nicknamed "Speedy," certainly offers that.
Rookie learning curve
Rookie first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam has been a little too "grabby" at times. He has terrific athletic traits and they certainly show, but he's grabbed and tugged on jerseys a little too often during some of the one-on-one and even 11-on-11 team work. That's exactly what he did on a ball to Gabe Davis during early one-on-one drills.
It's something Elam going to have to fight through and stop doing as the competition starts to ramp up with live preseason games and then the opening game at the Los Angeles Rams on September 8.
Punter battle
Both punters Matt Araiza and Matt Haack got a chance to boot the ball five different times in a live setting. Fellow reporters Matt Bove of WKBW and Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News and I tracked the hang time of all ten punts. Here's how it turned out:
Injury udates
Prior to practice head coach Sean McDermott told the media that safety Micah Hyde is considered day-to-day with soreness. Hyde came down hard on a play on Friday and limped off the field before being carded back to the locker room area.
Offensive tackle Dion Hawkins was excused for personal reasons for a second straight practice. Tommy Doyle took his spot at left tackle while David Quessenberry played right tackle as Spencer Brown continues to dress for practice but not do any team work.
Guard Ryan Bates is also day-to-day. With Bates out and Rodger Saffold still on the Non-Football Injury list, Greg Mancz and Cody Ford lined up at guard flanking center Mitch Morse.
Once again both wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Jake Kumerow were not on the field. McDermott also termed them as day-to-day. This is the fifth straight day Crowder has not participated, suiting up on only the first day of practice. It's the fourth straight day for Kumerow.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is also day today and did not practice on Saturday.
Next up
The team will have Sunday off and return to practice at Saint John Fisher on Monday at 9:45 AM. The practice is open to the public but a ticket is required to attend.
Follow me on Twitter @SalSports
outlet liquor
