Sizzling.
That’s the word to best-describe how the Buffalo Bills' passing offense looked on Monday, as the team was back outside the ADPRO Sports Training Center for their fifth training camp practice after having their first day off on Sunday.
I rarely saw a ball touch the ground during 11-on-11 team work. Short throws, mid-range passes, long balls, It didn’t matter. The caveat, of course, is there are still no pads on. There’s no live tackling or hitting, but this overall unit is absolutely loaded with talent, and showed it off on Monday.
It was really impressive from top-to-bottom.
Josh Allen was pinpoint accurate, including connecting on a long pass down the sideline to Cole Beasley, who was actually covered very well by cornerback Dane Jackson. However, the ball was dropped right into Beasley’s arms and there was basically nothing Jackson could do, despite being in a good spot.
Mitchell Trubisky hooked up with Isaiah Hodgins on two long touchdown throws, and I felt Monday was Jake Fromm’s best day overall. He fit some balls into tight widows, including one to Duke Williams, that the receiver made a nice catch on and get down the field. After the play, Fromm ran down to give Williams a high-five.
Running game:
Because there are still no pads, which means no live hitting or tackling, it’s tough to get a true feel for the running game and how it’s looked. However, the thing that is jumping out is how quickly backs seem to be getting to and through the hole, especially Matt Breida and Devin Singletary.
I’ve written before about how fast Breida is and how well he cuts in tight spaces, but Singletary is also showing more explosiveness than he has in the past. He doesn’t seem to be wasting time in the backfield, just finding his spot and getting straight ahead as soon as he can.
With Breida, Singletary, and Zack Moss all looking to carve out roles, and all three showing they can, I’m going to start using a new phrase for how I believe the Bills will operate their running back situation this year. Instead of “running back by committee,” for me it’s going to be “running back by game plan.”
What’s the difference?
“Running back by committee” generally refers to just rotating backs in the same every week, with each having the same general role regardless of opponent. Teams don't always do it based on specific matchups and personnel they are facing. I think the Bills will.
Participation:
During practice, guard Jon Feliciano appeared to do something to his right arm or shoulder. He talked to a trainer, then stood off to the side the rest of practice and watched. He never left the field and didn’t have a trainer near him after that.
Guard Ike Boettger was at practice, but didn’t participate. He watched from the sidelines after spending time on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is also on that list, but wasn’t present.
Guard Forrest Lamp and tight end Jacob Hollister were both off to the side working with trainers and on the stationary bike.
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