Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - No matter how many years Buffalo Bills players have been in the league, they’ll tell you how seeing so many people at a team open practice never gets old.
But for the fresh faces on the team in 2024, it’s certainly new, and an eye-opening experience.
"It felt great," said rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman. "I'm happy they showed up. Gave them a little something. Next week is going to be even better."
The Bills open their preseason schedule a week from Saturday against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Linebacker Joe Andreessen, who played at Highmark Stadium as a member of the Lancaster High School football team, got to walk out of the tunnel this time wearing the jersey, helmet, and logo of his hometown team.
"It was hard to put into words, honestly," Andreessen said. "Just walking out, seeing everybody, hearing the cheers and everything. I was star-struck for a little bit, yeah."
For Gable Steveson, who has plenty of experience competing at the highest of athletic levels, it was still something completely different, but still left him in awe.
"Definitely a new experience," said Steveson, who won an Olympic Gold medal as a freestyle wrestler. "It's nothing like walking into a small wrestling gym or something of that caliber... just taking everything in and being blessed where I'm at."
The announced attendance for the annual Return of the Blue and Red practice was 36,136, a new record for the event.
On the field, the defense was the better of the two units on Friday night, intercepting quarterback Josh Allen multiple times early-on, including one by Kaiir Elam, who continues to have a strong training camp.
"Just reading Josh. Just being able to highpoint the ball and go take it away," Elam said of the pick.
Early during the session, punter Sam Martin was stepped on by a defender. He appeared to be in some pain in his left ankle, but stayed on the field and walked it off.
Later, linebacker Terrel Bernard collided with a teammate as they were both trying to grab an interception. Bernard walked off the field to visit trainers, but returned to his normal middle linebacker spot.
Two other linebackers, however, did leave the field and did not return.
