Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Football is back!
The Buffalo Bills officially reported to camp on Saturday after the rookies reported to St. John Fisher University on Monday.
The Bills enter the 2022 season as one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LVII in Arizona in what is one of the most anticipated seasons in the last 25 years for Buffalo. Meanwhile, for training campgoers, the Bills return to the Rochester area after two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who are some of the new faces at this year's camp? What does the WGR schedule look like for 2022 at St. John Fisher?
To examine who's new coming to training camp, we have to go all the way back to NFL Free Agency, starting with the massive move made by the Bills.
Buffalo made one of the bigger splashes of free agency with the signing of two-time Super Bowl champion edge rusher Von Miller to a six-year contract. Miller brings a much-needed presence to the Bills' pass rush, even though Buffalo ranked as the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2021.
Also signed along with Miller in free agency was tight end O.J. Howard, who inked a one-year deal to bring more depth to the tight ends room.
The Bills also brought in some familiar faces this offseason in defensive end Shaq Lawson and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, as both come back to Buffalo on a one-year deal. Phillips spent the past two years in Arizona with the Cardinals, while Lawson has bounced with a number of two teams in that span.
While veteran wide receiver Cole Beasley was released, the Bills re-tooled their slot receiver position by signing Jamison Crowder. He will be in competition with wideout Isaiah McKenzie to become the new starting slot receiver in Buffalo.
The offensive line was also upgraded this offseason witht he addition of two former Tennessee Titans linemen who helped Derrick Henry reach 2,000 rushing yards in Rodger Saffold and David Quessenberry.
At the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bills re-loaded in the secondary after Levi Wallace left for the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency by drafting University of Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam with the 23rd overall pick. Elam also joins the Bills with the potential for cornerback Tre'Davious White being unavailable to start the 2022 season after tearing his ACL this past Thanksgiving.
The team also added running back James Cook, brother of Dalvin Cook of the Vikings, in the second round out of the University of Georgia. Khalil Shakir is another name that could compete for the slot receiver spot, as he was drafted in the fifth round of the draft out of Boise State University. And, of course, who could forget punter Matt Araiza, who has been lovingly dubbed “Punt God” while at San Diego State University. He was drafted in the sixth round of this year's draft.
Now that you know many of the new faces that will be joining the Bills this year, let's talk about when WGR will be live from St. John Fisher University.
It all starts Sunday, July 24 with a special edition of "Sports Talk Sunday" with Nate Geary and "Sneaky Joe" DiBiase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
Then Monday through Wednesday, the "Howard and Jeremy Show" will come live from Rochester from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET, followed by the "Extra Point Show" from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET.
In addition, the "Extra Point Show" will be solo on Friday, followed by a special training camp edition of "Sports Talk Saturday" next week with Nate Geary.
Here's the complete live schedule for WGR at Bills training camp:
- Sunday, July 24: Sports Talk Sunday - 11 a.m. ET
- Monday, July 25: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Tuesday, July 26: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Wednesday, July 27: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Friday, July 29: Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Saturday, July 30: Sports Talk Saturday - 11 a.m. ET
- Monday, Aug. 1: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Tuesday, Aug. 2: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Wednesday, Aug. 3: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Thursday, Aug. 4: Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Sunday, Aug. 7: Sports Talk Sunday - 11 a.m. ET
- Monday, Aug. 8: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
- Wednesday, Aug. 10: Howard and Jeremy Show - 6 a.m. ET / Extra Point Show - 10 a.m. ET
Enjoy the ride!
Losi and Gangi
