Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - As the Buffalo Bills begin their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, here are five non-position battle storylines to watch for this week:
Jordan Poyer‘s arrival
Up to this point, the big question was whether or not First-Team All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer would be on the field for mandatory minicamp.
We now know he will be there thanks to a report from Adam Shefter on Monday.
Poyer is seeking a contract extension, as he enters the final year of his current deal. While there’s still no resolution on that issue, the fact that Poyer is in Orchard Park is obviously a good sign for both him and the team, at least showing it hasn’t become contentious.
It will still be a big issue to monitor as the team heads towards training camp.
Von Miller, Buffalo Bills
Just seeing Von Miller in a Bills uniform is still something people are going to have to get used to.
Miller signed a six-year, $120 million contract to join the club as a free agent this offseason, and immediately becomes the team’s top pass rusher.
There are high expectations for Miller personally, and what he can do for the 2021 top-ranked NFL defense. This minicamp should give Miller and the coaches a lot of time on task to familiarize themselves even more with one another.
Ken Dorsey
This will be Dorsey‘s last chance to work with the offense on the field before training camp begins in late July.
The team's new offensive coordinator was hired in January to take over for Brian Daboll, who left to become the head coach of the New York Giants.
While Dorsey is walking into a great situation with Josh Allen as his quarterback and a plethora of weapons around him, he’s still a first time play-caller. This week will be critical for him and the offense, as they wrap up the offseason program.
Bumps and bruises
There were several players who were present, but did not participate in last week’s media-available OTA session.
This included wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who worked with trainers for the second week in a row. He will be someone to keep an eye on to see if he’s on the field, along with fellow wide receivers Jake Kumerow, and Isaiah Hodgins.
We'll also keep an eye on tight ends Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney, who also worked with trainers and did not participate last Tuesday.
New faces, new places
Like Dorsey, this will be the final chance for some coaches who are new to their position groups to work with their players before meeting again at St. John Fisher College for training camp.
New hires like quarterbacks coach Joe Brady and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, as well as a couple who have moved positions like linebackers coach Bobby Babich (moving from safeties) and safeties coach Jim Salgado (moving from nickel cornerbacks).
Matthew Smiley also gets his final tune-up as special teams coordinator after being promoted from assistant special teams coordinator.
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