Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills finished Day 2 of training camp in front of another packed house at St. John Fisher University on Thursday.
Here are some notes and observations:
Edwards back with the starters
Damar Hamlin was a starting safety along with Taylor Rapp on Wednesday. Head coach Sean McDermott had said the team planned for Mike Edwards to be a starter, but a shoulder injury set him back during OTAs and minicamp.
On Thursday, Edwards took that spot with Rapp and the rest of the starting defense, with Hamlin moving back to the second unit with rookie Cole Bishop.
Smoot joins top group
While Hamlin was back with the second unit, defensive end Dawuane Smoot saw plenty of action with the starters up front. Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Von Miller continue to see starting work upfront, but Smoot has so far emerged as the fourth piece of that rotation, with Casey Toohill, Kingsley Jonathan and Javon Solomon all filling in after that.
The 29-year-old Smoot signed with the Bills as a free agent this offseason. The 2017 third-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars has played in 99 games, collecting 23.5 sacks in his career. He had four-straight seasons (2019 through 2022) with, at least, five sacks.
Oliver shines
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver had an impressive day, especially early-on in 11-on-11 work.
On the very first play, he batted a Josh Allen pass down at the line of scrimmage for an incompletion. A short while later, he was able to get into the backfield and disrupt Allen’s space before the play was blown dead.
Hollins keeps showing up
Allen continues to have a connection with wide receiver Mack Hollins. It’s obvious the two have worked on their timing and rhythm together this offseason, and that Allen trusts the eighth-year veteran.
It seems like, at least, one or two passes go his way each time the starting offense and defense are on the field against each other.
Play of the Day
While Allen and Hollins have hooked up quite a bit, Curtis Samuel has probably seen more footballs thrown his way than any other wideout so far.
That connection resulted in a big play on Thursday. It was a typical "extend-the-play-then-throw-back-the-other-way" play from Allen we’ve seen countless times in games.
Samuel was on the back end of this one, running free across the middle about 15 yards downfield. Allen was moving right, but saw Samuel come free moving the opposite direction. The quarterback threw a strike, and Samuel turned upfield for a big gain, maybe even a touchdown.
Running back bursts
It’s always tough to tell what’s real and perceived on running plays until the full pads come on, because even though players are moving at full speed, they aren’t tackling anyone yet.
But on three separate run plays on Thursday, James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Ray Davis all showed terrific speed once they got past the line of defenders and into the open field.
Tight end competition
So much has been made about Dalton Kincaid’s ascension and Dawson Knox’s role. They are clearly the top-two tight ends on the roster.
After that, though, a serious battle is emerging between Quintin Morris and Zach Davidson for the third spot.
Morris has been with the club the past two seasons, catching 10 passes for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's also been playing a big role on special teams.
Davidson spent 2022 on the practice squad, and all last season on Injured Reserve. He has yet to play in a regular season game, but the 6-foot-7, 251-pounder had a very good spring at OTAs and minicamp, and has shown excellent hands and athleticism.
Rookie mistake
Rookie wideout Keon Coleman has had a solid first couple days at training camp, but had a tough play during 11-on-11 drills Thursday when he caught a slant pattern, but fumbled the ball as soon as he tried to turn upfield.
It may have even been called an incomplete pass upon review (it was very close), but even then it would be a bad drop.
Elam still battling
Third-year cornerback Kaiir Elam was, once again, getting some reps with both the starting and second-team unit opposite Rasul Douglas, rotating with Christian Benford. JaMarcus Ingram is generally the other second-team corner.
Cam Lewis scare
All-versatile defensive back Cam Lewis went down to the turf briefly during an 11-on-11 play. Trainers came out to tend to him, but he walked off the field with them.
After a few minutes, Lewis was given a massage gun and used it on his calf. He remained on the field and went back into the defense later.
He confirmed to me after practice it was just a cramp.
Next up:
The team will end its first round of practices Friday with another 9:45 a.m. ET start time. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich will address the media at 9:15 a.m. ET, which we will carry live on WGR.
