Spartanburg, South Carolina (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers accomplished exactly what both teams wanted on Day 1 of joint practices at Wofford College on Tuesday.
A spirited practice between the two clubs gave them a chance to be in a competitive environment against an opponent other than themselves. Oftentimes in these situations, things get a little too testy and skirmishes, or even outright fights break out. That wasn’t the case at all on Tuesday.
The two teams went through, what seemed to be, a normal, but highly competitive practice, which is exactly what both coaches wanted to see.
Here are some notes and video from the Bills side of things:
- Center Mitch Morse was on hand and in a red non-contact jersey. Morse is still in concussion protocol, but that’s a huge step for the center after being out for over two weeks. He didn’t participate in any drills.
Video: Bills players arriving. That’s Mitch Morse in pads. pic.twitter.com/JieF5BTHhW
— Sal Capaccio -- (@SalSports)
August 13, 2019 - Center Russell Bodine (oblique) and offensive tackle Conor McDermott (concussion protocol) were also in red non-contact jerseys and did not participate.
- The offensive line, with starter listed first, then second-team:
- LT - Dion Dawkins / GarrettMcGhin
- LG - Quinton Spain / Wyatt Teller
- C - Jon Feliciano / Spencer Long
- RG - Cody Ford / Ike Boettger
- RT - Ty Nsekhe / De’Ondre Wesley
- Ed Oliver continued to start on the defensive line next to Star Lotulelei.
- Cornerback Kevin Johnson got time in the slot backing up Taron Johnson. Lafayette Pitts, Denzel Rice, Cam Lewis, and Ryan Lewis all saw a heavy rotation on the outside backing up Tre’Davous White and Levi Wallace. Johnson and Wallace both had interceptions.
- LeSean McCoy started at running back, but Frank Gore and Devin Singletary both got plenty of work as the Bills shuffled backs in and out.
- Josh Allen seemed to find Cole Beasley a lot when the first-team offense was going against the Panthers' first-team defense, and the connection was in all spots on the field. Underneath, outside the numbers, and mid-range across the middle.
- It was a day of “just-misses” on several deep balls from Allen to his receivers; two of them were on the money, but not held on to. Tight end Tommy Sweeney couldn’t bring in a ball that hit his hands on a corner route, then wide receiver John Brown had one in his hands on a post pattern that a defensive back was able to get a hand on just as he was bringing it in, causing an incompletion. He then overthrew Robert Foster on a corner route.
Bills fans everywhere:
Familiar faces:
Of course, a lot of Bills and Panthers players and coaches have connections to one another, including former Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour, traded to Carolina prior to the 2017 season.
Never played a game together, but CBs @TreWhite16 and @KevonSeymour reunited. pic.twitter.com/aEiuxgDSRT
— Sal Capaccio -- (@SalSports)
August 13, 2019
Up next:
These two teams will be back at it Wednesday for the second of two joint practices, beginning at 9:25 a.m. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will address the media prior to practice, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will do so afterward.
