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Keon Coleman downplays off-field buzz, focuses on Bills’ season

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  • Alaina Getzenberg, ESPNMay 10, 2024, 9:44 p.m.

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      Alaina Getzenberg is a writer who covers the Buffalo Bills and the NFL. She joined ESPN in 2021. Alaina was previously a reporter for the Charlotte Observer and also worked for CBS Sports and the Dallas Morning News. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. You can follow her via Twitter @agetzenberg.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In the two weeks since he was drafted, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman has generated a lot of buzz off the field.

His introductory press conference – which began with a discussion about the appropriate time to buy a coat and ended with enjoying a cookie – was broadcast on social media. His first day exploring the Bills’ facilities, where he threw fantasy touchdowns at Highmark Stadium, stood out among 2024 NFL Draft picks.

Putting on his uniform and helmet before the team’s rookie minicamp, which began Friday, gave Coleman a reality check.

“A bunch of nerves,” Coleman said. “I called my brother. You know, it’s exciting. The moment is downplayed because the process is so long, but I think once I grabbed the helmet and put it on, it made me feel better. ‘kind of brought it back to real life, like it’s reality now.’

The No. 33 pick out of Florida State was thrust into the spotlight thanks to his personality and the Bills’ roster turnover this offseason, including major departures from the wide receiver room, with Gabe Davis signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Stefon. Diggs is traded to the Houston Texans.

Coleman, who turns 21 on May 17, said with practice starting, his focus is on the field.

“I’m aware of that. But like I said earlier, I’m happy to keep it basic and get back to playing ball,” Coleman said. “So the hype can be there as much as it wants, but I still have to make plays on the field. And I want to help win, so we have to win to make our fans happy. A jacket is not going to be obtained. it’s done.”

There was a pretty early fan reaction to Coleman, with the catcher noting that the most surprising reaction to him was receiving Chips Ahoy! cookies in a box in his locker that fans mailed to the Bills facilities.

“I’ll eat them,” Coleman said, “but I just didn’t expect cookies in my locker. And it was in a box, a box. I wondered what that box could be. So , I opened it and it was like a big box, so it caught me off guard.”

One notable connection Coleman made occurred when he contacted Hall of Famer and former Bills wide receiver Andre Reed. Coleman said he was taught to “respect those who came before you” and thought Reed could be a great resource as a potential mentor.

Reed posted on X about the interaction last week, writing that Coleman is the first young Bills receiver to reach out in some time. Coleman noted that Reed told him to “enjoy the process, take whatever you can, put your head down and work.”

“It’s the same thing, because I wasn’t born when (Michael) Jordan was playing, but I still know who he is,” Coleman said. “So it’s just wanting to know more about football. You have to know the guys that came before you. So that’s an important thing.”

On Friday, Coleman got the first chance to be on the field as Bill.

Buffalo has two quarterbacks trying out during rookie minicamp – former Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick Jacob Eason and Troy’s Gunnar Watson – and Coleman’s first practice was spent catching passes where he seemed comfortable capturing almost anything that happened to him.

He also had some one-on-one time with wide receivers coach Adam Henry. Coleman spent a period on special teams working with Henry on the sideline, including discussing routes.

Coleman described Henry as “very hands-on” after practice and said they met on Zoom over the past week as the rookie receiver learned the playbook. Eventually putting that work to good use on The field was a big moment for the receiver with the draft process behind him.

“It’s probably the best feeling in the world,” Coleman said. “…I’m trying to get better on the football field, learn the playbook, impact the team and try to help (the team) win. C “That’s really what I focus on, what I really care about, so it’s great to finally get back to that.”

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