Rochester, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Call it the Josh Allen Experience. Call it each side making plays at Buffalo Bills training camp.
Whatever you want to name it, that’s what happened Friday as the Bills wrapped up their first round of practices at St. John Fisher University.
Here are some notable happenings from Friday's practice:
Great start
Allen was absolutely on fire during the first several periods of the session, from warmups throwing into small boxes in a net, to 7-on-7 and 11-on-11.
During those periods, Allen hit plenty of different targets, and connected on his first six passes of 11-on-11 without even an incompletion.
Not so great finish
That changed quickly and drastically later when Allen threw three-straight passes that wound up in the hands of defenders. They were the first interceptions thrown by any quarterback on the team through the first three days.
All three plays were very different, and happened for various reasons.
First, Allen sailed one over the head of Mack Hollins, giving safety Taylor Rapp an easy catch.
One pass later, Allen took a deep shot to Marquez Valdes-Scantling with two defenders near him. There was some hand-fighting going on down the field, and arguably even interference. It looked like Valdes-Scantling couldn’t maintain his position as the ball kept going, which ultimately allowed Christian Benford to grab the overthrow.
Finally, on the very next pass, it looked like either Keon Coleman or Khalil Shakir had a miscommunication with Allen, and vacated a spot where he thought they’d be. Kaiir Elam stepped in front of it for a pick-six.
Smoot continues to emerge
Defensive end Dawuane Smoot, who was getting time with the first unit on Thursday, was back with them on Friday. This time, he was even playing on the interior at times.
A bump for Bishop
Rookie safety Cole Bishop played quite a bit with the first-team defense Friday, alongside Taylor Rapp. Mike Edwards and Damar Hamlin were with the second group in that scenario, but Edwards and Bishop eventually rotated with the top unit.
Milano flashing
Matt Milano continues to be in his usual starting role, and practicing at a full capacity.
He made a terrific play in coverage on Friday to diagnose a swing pass and get to the boundary in a hurry. Right after the play, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich immediately came over to slap Milano’s hand and congratulate him for the play.
Shorter and Hamler get involved
Wide receivers Justin Shorter and K.J. Hamler both made big catches for big gains, with Hamler getting loose down the field, and Shorter making a terrific grab near the sidelines.
Bass perfect
For the first time this camp, the team ran the field goal unit out for kicks. Tyler Bass made all six attempts, ranging from 23-to-48 yards out. A nice camp start for him.
Kim Pegula
At the very end of practice, Bills co-owner Terry Pegula escorted his wife and co-owner Kim Pegula from the vehicle she was sitting behind the end zone to the field, where the entire team gathered around her and ended the session together.
Next up:
The team gets there first day off on Saturday, then returns for practice Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. ET. Special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley will meet with the media at 9:15 a.m. ET.
