Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - There’s an old saying when it comes to offseason football work:
"The defense is always ahead of the offense."
The theory is the offense has far more chemistry and nuance that takes time to gel, while the defense can just fly around and make plays as they are learning.
Whether that theory is right or not, the Buffalo Bills defense was certainly the better unit on the field Tuesday for the team’s final media-available session of OTAs.
There were multiple plays where the offense wasn’t quite in sync on Tuesday, resulting in big plays by the defenders.
Safety Damar Hamlin, who has already made noteworthy plays through the first two weeks, read a Josh Allen pass perfectly, put himself in the right spot in front of the intended receiver, and was able to tip a ball in the air that was eventually intercepted and returned for big yardage by linebacker Deion Jones.
Later, Allen tried to throw into a very tight window, but cornerback Kaiir Elam was right there. Elam was mad at himself for not catching the tailor-made interception, but did break up the pass.
It wasn’t just the defensive backs on passing plays, either.
Defensive end Kingsley Jonathan got into the backfield a couple different times, including getting his hands on a pass thrown by quarterback Mitch Trubisky, then forcing Allen to run out of the pocket another time.
Overall, the defense made it a tough day for the offense to make plays. However, the offense still broke through a few times, including two really nice catches by wide receiver Bryan Thompson. One on a pass to the sideline from Trubisky that he was somehow able to not only catch with not much room, but then turn upfield for a huge gain.
Trubisky also hit wideout Chase Claypool for a long touchdown down the middle of the field after Claypool separated from the secondary.
Tight end Zach Davidson also caught a long pass which came right after the interception by Jones. A nice response from the offense for a big gain.
Gable Steveson debut
It was the media’s first chance to see new defensive tackle and Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson in a Bills uniform. Steveson, who has never played organized football in his life, was signed by the team to a free agent deal late last week.
No Douglas
Through the three media-open sessions of OTAs that spanned each Tuesday over the last three weeks, the only player not accounted for by those of us observing was cornerback Rasul Douglas.
