Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Bills opened training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester on Wednesday for, what will be, a brief stay an hour away from home.
The Bills will have seven open practices in Rochester, down from 11 last season. All of them happening before the first practice inside the new stadium on August 8. Preparing to open that stadium is a big reason the Rochester-area portion of camp will be cut short.
"Fans have commented that it's a little bit shorter this year," said St. John Fisher Director of Camp Operations Paul Hemingway. "That has a lot to do with the new stadium opening. Talking to the team, they really want to spend a little extra time in Orchard Park to get the players used to the new facilities."
The team has already scheduled two practices, with fans, at the new Highmark Stadium in August. Many are predicting the team will take that field several more times before the season begins.
"They're going to want to get work inside that stadium," said WGR Bills beat reporter Sal Capaccio. "You're going to have to. You're going to want to know the lay of the land. It's no different than going to a new stadium on the road and walking around and seeing where the play clock is, where the game clock is. They're going to want to get used to the grass they're running on."
Before that, it's all about getting ready on the practice field at St. John Fisher. All practices there begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held on the following dates:
- Wednesday, July 29
- Thursday, July 30
- Saturday, Aug. 1
- Monday, Aug. 3
- Tuesday, Aug. 4
- Thursday, Aug. 6
- Friday, Aug. 7
The Bills will have seven open practices in Rochester
The Bills will have seven open practices in Rochester
