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Orchard Park, NY – Cole Beasley walked into the media tent after practice Wednesday, sat behind the microphone watching a few dozen reporters in person for the first time in over a year, and read a declaration.
Beasley, who is unvaccinated and wore a mask, has been making noise on social media in recent months about his contempt for the NFL and NFL Players Association’s handling of the Covid protocol rollout. He took issue with the restrictions the league plans to apply – and which the NFLPA has agreed to – on unvaccinated players.
“The problem is that information is withheld from the players so that a player is swayed in a direction that he might not be comfortable with,” said Beasley. “When it comes to the health and safety of a player, there should be full transparency regarding the information that is vital in the decision-making process. Without having all the proper information, a player can feel misguided and uncertain about a very personal choice. “
Beasley did not explain exactly what information was withheld, but pointed to a disconnect between some players and the league as they embark on another Covid-hit season together.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane was the first to step onto the podium before the team’s first practice at training camp. Some fans feared Beasley’s boisterous and public stance on vaccination could cause a division in the Bills locker room, but Beane, quarterback Josh Allen and Beasley himself have undoubtedly said it won’t.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with some of the guys (including Beasley)… it’s tough. Guys are trying to educate themselves, they are trying to look at all sides, ”Beane said. “But we have professionals. And we allow them to express their opinions. As long as it’s not a distraction, and that’s the point that Sean (McDermott) and I made. We believe nothing is. I think when we get back to the grass to play football you’ll see where our guys are focusing. They are focused on winning.
Beasley said he doesn’t plan on tweeting until the end of the season, but has released a new hip hop single called “Heavy 1s”. The Bills plan is to try and accommodate every player, vaccinated or not, as they try to reach the Super Bowl. This journey began on Wednesday and here are some observations from the practice.
1. With Jerry Hughes injured, all eyes are on Greg Rousseau
This was the first practice of the camp and the towels are not yet in place, so it is important to remember this when trying to assess these practices. Rousseau was the Bills’ first-round pick this year and was going to get attention regardless, but with one less defensive end on the training ground, the focus shifted to some of the younger defensive ends during drills. team.
Rousseau continued to show off the quickness that impressed McDermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier during his first practice at camp. During a red zone job, Rousseau managed to beat his block against Daryl Williams and put pressure on Josh Allen’s face. With the 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass thrower falling on him, Allen attempted to quickly find Emmanuel Sanders in the middle but knocked him down.
Hughes failed his physical exam upon arrival at camp and was placed on the non-football injury list with calf strain. As he returns, Rousseau and other young passers will have the chance to introduce themselves to the coaches.
2. Welcome Tommy Sweeney
After Dawson Knox fell in the opening game of the job at 11-11 (Micah Hyde was on cover and was part of the reason), a backup tight end stepped up and made a few plays. Mitchell Trubisky found Sweeney on his first pitch for the afternoon’s first touchdown and it was easy to find the smile on the 26-year-old’s face behind his face mask.
A few minutes later, Sweeney showed up again and provided Trubisky with a target and the former Chicago Bears first-round pick scored in a nice throw. The Bills brought Reggie Gilliam back to fullback after playing the tight end last season. Sweeney has a great chance to be part of the roster as the team’s third tight end behind Knox and Jacob Hollister, especially if he keeps playing when the ball arrives.
As for Knox, the single drop shouldn’t ruin his mood too much. He later returned to practice and caught a nice ball from Allen and might have passed Tremaine Edmunds in cover if it was a live game.
3. The catch of the day goes to Emmanuel Sanders
It was also a hell of a throw. Allen had just hit Knox on the coin before and was starting to settle into a rhythm. One of the big offensive plots during training camp is how Allen and Sanders continue to develop their chemistry. On this piece, the two showed what could be to come.
Allen had time to pitch and located Sanders, who was head-to-head with Tre’Davious White near the goal line. Allen blistered a fastball and Sanders was able to bring it back. White disputed the seizure, but the majority of media gathered near the capture agreed it was a completion.
4. Dane Jackson, you guessed it, does a play
We’re going to have to start calling him “Action” Jackson, as it’s becoming a habit for Dane to play a play in practice. Charged with a tough mission against Duke Williams near the goal line, Jackson stuck to his man and was able to affect a pass thrown by Trubisky – one of his only misses of the day. Williams built his reputation for his ability to make spectacular plays in practice and Jackson had none of it.
5. Cody Ford and Zack Moss in red jersey
Ford and Moss were both in the training mix for the first time since suffering late-season injuries a year ago. Ford seemed to be moving well and Moss made a few touchdowns during the red zone team’s drills.
The plan for Ford and Moss will be managed, according to McDermott, as the intensity of the practice increases and the pads light up.
“It’s been a long way for some of these guys – Cody and Zack in particular. They’ve stuck with that,” McDermott said. “It’s good to see them now in a position where they can come out here today. hui. It would be irresponsible of them to go all the way at this point. But they have the green light. And we will manage them to build them properly. “
6. Mitch Trubisky strong and offering value
Allen had a good practice but missed his first three shots, including poor communication with Gabriel Davis in the back of the end zone. Trubisky has been solid throughout. He was lively and placed the ball in places where his receivers could play.
After training, Allen was asked about Trubisky’s influence since signing as a free agent and he revealed the two had become quick friends.
“He comes in with a great attitude every day and he works hard and he’s not afraid to ask questions on the offensive,” Allen said. “He’s here to help this team win that way. … He played in about fifty matches. So he has a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge and a lot of ideas that he pitched in the meetings.
7. The star Lotulelei finally enters the action
After taking time off from team drills during the minicamp, Lotulelei was in the training rotation and was finally able to get his first reps since retiring in 2020.
Beane said earlier today the team told Lotulelei to slow down and get their feet on you, especially when the pads snap back into place.
“But he’s in great shape. He worked hard. I see a renewed smile, a renewed energy, ”said Beane. “It is integral to our success. I can tell you that our linebackers are happy to find him. He does a great job letting these guys run free. I’m sure Ed Oliver will be happy to see him as well, a few less teams for him. I’m excited to see Star and think he’s excited to be here.
8. Dion Dawkins and Ike Boettger placed on the Covid / Reserve list
Beane announced before training began that Dawkins and Boettger were the team’s last cases after dealing with a few during the offseason. He said one of the players was vaccinated and the other was not, and both will have to go through protocols before they return to the squad. Beane also said the Bills are over 80% with players who have had at least one shot.
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