Buffalo Bills ‘super excited’ to start practicing with guards

PITTSFORD — To paraphrase the greatest wrestling announcer of all time, Jim Ross, it’s back to business Monday at Buffalo Bills training camp.

After three months of organized team activities, a mandatory minicamp and the first four practices of camp, the Bills will begin working on protections.

Guys, it’s time to practice real football.

“I’m really excited about it,” tight end Dawson Knox said.

The players are super excited because it will allow them to play with more physicality (while protecting their teammates), and the coaches are super excited because it will allow them to better evaluate the back end of the squad.

The league’s collective bargaining agreement calls for an acclimation period — two days with a helmet only and two days with a helmet and shell — before starting camp. The Bills completed that period Sunday morning at St. John Fisher University.

“(The first day with the pads) is always fun, and then the second day with the pads, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve been sore since yesterday,’” Knox said. “We all look forward to it. … The energy is always up and guys are flying around.”

“The first time you get hit, you almost feel good and you’re like, ‘Football’s back, baby. It’s time to go.’”

Working with full protections will allow for better rushing drills, run blocking drills and, new this year, more intense kickoff drills to get players used to the new rules.

“The first day of practice, the intensity goes up a notch,” safety Taylor Rapp said. “But I feel like the intensity of camp has already been elevated. We’re just going to take it to the next level.”

The Bills returned to practice after having a Saturday off. Here are some observations from practice No. 4:

The Bills had their first attrition period of camp after all 91 players were available for the first three days. Backup guard Mike Edwards did not practice because of an undisclosed injury suffered Friday.

During Sunday’s practice, receiver Chase Claypool (left foot) was injured while running an 11-on-11 route (he was not the intended target). After being examined by the athletic training staff for several minutes, Claypool watched the remainder of practice from the sidelines.

Reserve guard/center Will Clapp (elbow) was shaken up during 1-on-1 drills, and safety Mike Edwards didn’t stretch with the team after practice, instead talking to coaches on the sideline.

Do the Bills have a real, honest punting competition between starter Sam Martin and rookie Jack Browning? It’s too early to tell, but Browning is excited to be here.

“It’s an incredible opportunity,” he said. “It’s something I remember every day.”

What impressed special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley when he reviewed Browning’s video at San Diego State was his mechanics.

“One of the coolest things about Jack is when he catches the ball, his recovery time is naturally very quick,” Smiley said. “That was true in college. He’s very consistent when it comes to catching and setting up his catch, and he’s got the leg strength, obviously.”

Browning said his snap-to-punt time is under 2.1 seconds. He threw his first punt in camp Friday and said it left “a lot to be desired. I’ve had a couple good ones.”

“I felt like I bounced back and did a lot better,” Browning said.

Highlights of the Bills’ 55 11-on-11 games:

• Quarterback Josh Allen, who threw three interceptions Friday, completed his first 12 passes Sunday. He threw touchdown passes to receivers Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins. In total, Allen completed passes to eight players.
• The defense had a good early period against Allen. On the first snap, the defense showed good discipline on a gadget play, and Allen was forced to throw a check-down to running back Ty Johnson. Three plays later, the play was abandoned on what could have been a sack.
• Mistakes: The only pre-snap penalty was called by defensive end Dawuane Smoot, and the only fumbled pass was called by tight end Quintin Morris.
• Cornerback Kaiir Elam showed good range, running to the deep middle of the field to intercept quarterback Shane Buechele’s pass intended for receiver KJ Hamler in the end zone.
• Claypool and cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram had to be separated after a run to the other side of the field. Both players lost their helmets.
• Damar Hamlin started as a first-team safety alongside Rapp. On the second unit, the Bills used Cam Lewis alongside Cole Bishop.

The Bills will practice at 9:45 a.m. Monday, their fifth practice of camp. They will also be at St. John Fisher Tuesday and Thursday before Friday night’s practice at Orchard Park.