Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
5 bold predictions for the #Bills offense in 2023:
The 2023 NFL season is an important one for the Buffalo Bills offense and the team following two consecutive division-round postseason exits.
But with a replenished roster and high expectations, what might this year hold for players on the Bills offense and the improved position groups collectively? Let’s think boldly.
How the #Bills’ injury report looked Wednesday:
A lengthy injury list for the Buffalo Bills keeps inviting players on board.
After a laundry list of injuries reported on Tuesday, the ensuing day saw another addition: Offensive lineman Connor McGovern. According to numerous reports from Bills practice, McGovern sustained a knee injury which saw him leave the workout.
Per ESPN, McGovern left the session but did not leave the field after putting a sleeve on his leg. Typically if a player has to depart the practice entirely, it’s potentially a worse sign.
McGovern signed in Buffalo this offseason and is expected to start at left guard.
Bills Wire will provide an update when information is made available.
In addition, there were a few other names to join and leave the injury list. Running back Jordan Mims was added to it. Per The Athletic, Mims was hit in the mouth during Tuesday’s workout. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Eli Ankou (calf) returned.
Here is a rundown of the rest of the injury report from Wednesday:
Time to heal up:
The Buffalo Bills had a laundry list of an injury report on Tuesday ahead of facing the Chicago Bears in their preseason finale.
In total, seven players missed the early week practice. It’s likely that this total is the largest the team has had so far this summer.
Considering it’s the last preseason game, getting health and on the field could be crucial for certain players. Bills Wire will continue to monitor the injury report throughout this upcoming week, but for now, here’s how the team’s list of dinged up players looked:
#Bills’ Khalil Shakir taking ‘play-by-play’ mentality in preseason:
Khalil Shakir enters the 2023 season, his second in the NFL, with a big opportunity in front of him.
Shakir has battled free-agent signee Deonte Harty this summer to earn the starting slot receiver position on the Buffalo Bills offense. It’s typically a critical role for the unit led by quarterback Josh Allen shown by the All-Pro honors Cole Beasley once earned.
Even so, Shakir is not going to sike himself out. He admitted there are still some jitters in his second preseason, but it’s just one snap at a time in his mind.
“I always go play-by-play mentality. Whatever play we got going on right there, that’s all my focus, on that play,” Shakir said.
In Buffalo’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, Shakir showed good and bad in his play. He had two catches on four targets for 25 yards.
On one, he impressively hauled in a poor pass from Kyle Allen for 20 yards. Another saw a drop on third down which would have extended a drive.
Regardless, head coach Sean McDermott gave a positive review of Shakir after the contest.
“I thought the one over the middle was very impressive… he wants that drop back, McDermott said via video conference. “I have a lot of confidence in him.”
Another opportunity awaits Shakir against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday in the Bills’ second exhibition game of the summer.
For more from Shakir, see the attached WUFO-radio clip below:
Wufosports talks to Khalil Shakir about making plays and having that next play mentality! @wufopower965wny @BleavSports @BleavNetwork @BuffaloFAMbase pic.twitter.com/1gA2BXKfN1
— Muki Hawkins (@wufosports) August 14, 2023
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#Bills’ Sean McDermott ‘working through’ return to coordinator duties:
The Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts at home 23-19 in their preseason opener.
The game was the first of the preseason for the team and head coach McDermott, who made his return to defensive play calling in the contest. The last time that McDermott was a defensive coordinator was with the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2016 prior to becoming the Bills head coach.
He is known for being an aggressive play caller as a DC, which was noticeably on display during Saturday’s game.
The Bills defense mirrored that aggressiveness on the field, attacking the pocket and logging six quarterback hits and three sacks on the day in a strong showing despite a high number of penalties.
McDermott spoke after the game about those strengths, the need for consistency, and clean play.
“I thought there were some good things, we showed moments of our standard that we hold ourselves to, but not enough though,” The head coach said to the press. “We have to be more consistent starting with penalties, more discipline on pre-snap penalties because it hurts you.”
McDermott’s playcalling on defense helped make a difference early, opting to blitz on a second down play during the game’s first series in which defensive back Saran Neal forced rookie Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to throw an interception that set up the Bills’ first touchdown.
“I’m still working through the communication piece,” McDermott added. “A preseason game is a little bit different than a regular-season game. We’ll go back, just like we do with the players, and evaluate that and talk about some areas that we’ve got to improve on. It was just kind of getting on the same cadence, when I’m going to be in certain spots and when I need information at times, and make sure that information is readily available when I need it.
Still, the coach noted, “It was a pretty good first game.”
The Bills defense is aiming to bounce back from last season’s injuries and return to the upper ranks of the NFL once again under McDermott and the teams’ coaching staff.
“It was fun to be back out there, rolling up my sleeves a little bit but still working through the communication piece.”
New #Bills RB Damien Harris: “Buffalo is a special place”
As training camp is fully underway for the Buffalo Bills, the roster features a new addition in their offense’s backfield.
With that, also comes the first full week of live-action and of free-agent addition at running back, Damien Harris.
Harris joined the team from the AFC rival Patriots this offseason and is competing for playing time with second-year back James Cook, and fellow free agent addition Latavius Murray.
“Buffalo is a special place, it’s one of the most special places in America,” Harris said to the media about his new playing home. “You only get to truly experience it as a Buffalo Bill, the right way.”
Ideally, Harris will be the physical, big back the team has been missing under Sean McDermott and help take the ball, and the pressure off QB Josh Allen, on third down and goal line plays.
The front office and coaching staff are hoping he’ll do just that, as are the fans whose support Harris has already begun to feel in his first training camp with the Bills.
“We had a practice in Rochester the other day in the rain and no one flinched or moved a muscle, it was a full, packed house,” The RB added.” So it’s just things like that that mean a lot to you and it just makes you want to win for them that much more.”
The 26-year-old was drafted by New England in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, after playing college ball at Alabama where he backed up Derek Henry before winning the starting job after Henry left to go pro. After four years with the Patriots, a fanbase like Buffalo’s has been a positive change.
“This is crazy, it almost made me late for practice, but this is great, these are the best fans in the world, so it was great to come out here and strap it on front of them for the first time in our stadium, my first time here on the good side. Obviously, the energy is electric and I’m glad to be here.”
Though last year’s second-round pick, RB James Cook has seen most of the first-team reps, Harris gained more time with the starters on the seventh day of camp. While he’s learning the offense, it’s the endzone that continues to catch his eye.
“It does, it does, anytime you can get into the box, you always want to touch that money so as runningbacks especially,” Harris shared. “When you get the ball, it’s the hardest yard in football to gain, it’s the most on the line and you want to touch that paint so your heart starts beating a little bit faster, but you’ve got to be able to maintain your composure, red your key, do your job and hopefully get into the end zone.”
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#Bills’ Khalil Shakir explains offseason workouts with Eric Moulds:
We’ve known that a former Bills receiver was helping out a current one.
Now, some context.
Khalil Shakir, a fifth-round pick in 2022 that the team traded up for, worked out with former Bills great Eric Moulds this offseason. That was revealed by Moulds via social media when he posted an image of Shakir.
Shakir said he did so in the spring and liked it so much that he went back and worked out with Moulds again in between minicamp and training camp.
During an interview with the team’s radio program, Shakir explained that he learned a lot from Moulds in their time together. It involved the physical aspects of the game, but the mental side of football too.
Shakir’s full breakdown can be found in the One Bills Live clip below:
#Bills WR Khalil Shakir joined us after today's practice and talked about his offseason training with former Bills great Eric Moulds and getting faster off the ball.🔊⬇️
Catch @king_khalil2's entire appearance from today's show here: https://t.co/Bjzg5bmfAP pic.twitter.com/R67GzEUcOx
— One Bills Live (@OneBillsLive) August 1, 2023
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Job to be the #Bills’ new returner looks wide open:
The Buffalo Bills have one positional battle that has recently become wide open.
Replacing Tremaine Edmunds and the starting cornerback spot opposite of Tre’Davious White are noted. But another to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds is the kick return job after the season-ending injury to Nyheim Hines.
It’s anyone’s ball game as of now.
As recently as Sunday, four players were lined up there at Bills training camp. Nearly all of them are new faces.
The one who isn’t is Khalil Shakir. The 2022 fifth-round pick that Buffalo traded up for could be poised to have a much larger role on the Bills in 2023 depending on how training camp goes. He’s also factoring into the slot receiver discussion, but regarding returner, Shakir had his name mentioned.
Bills special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley said via video conference that Shakir and Deonte Harty are two players that will factor in there.
Harty signed in Buffalo this offseason and Smiley likes his experience.
“His comfort level at that position is definitely a benefit,” Smiley said.
Don’t sleep on even newer players, either.
Darrynton Evans was the running back signed to take Hines’ roster spot and he profiles as another versatile piece like Hines. In addition, Andy Isabella, who was participating in his first practice with the Bills on Sunday was also catching punts at practice.
On the latter, head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference that the speed Isabella brings to the table is of interest. At the NFL combine, Isabella ran a blistering 4.31 40-yard dash time.
As training camp rolls on, the numbers will likely be whittled down. For now, it’s an open opportunity for all.
Kick returner action at Bills camp can be found via the Batavia Daily News clip below:
One of the least talked about positional battles at Bills training camp has been at punt returner, where Deonte Harty, Khalil Shakir, along with recent signings Andy Isabella and Darrynton Evans rotated today. pic.twitter.com/PkBuJH79Q4
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) July 30, 2023
Bills Wire will continue to bring updates out of training camp throughout the summer.
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What Ken Dorsey said is new about the #Bills offense in 2023:
The Buffalo Bills offense experienced some ups and downs during their 2022 campaign and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s first year in that playcalling role.
Dorsey, previously the team’s quarterbacks coach, was promoted to take over the coordinator position following the departure of OC Brian Daboll, who left to become the Giants head coach after a successful run with the Bills.
What’s more, the receiver group was depleted by injuries and their depth at that position ran thin while opponents double-teamed Stefon Diggs.
This offseason, GM Brandon Beane set out to bolster the offense, doing just that at the offensive line, running backs, and receiver positions.
He added TE Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and WRs Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield in free agency to a group that includes Diggs, Dawson Knox, Gabe Davis, and second-year pros James Cook and Khalil Shakir.
These additions create a deeper pool of versatile talents who can play multiple positions in the passing game while creating holes and opportunities against opposing defenses for QB Josh Allen and each other.
Dorsey has noted these differences and spoke to them during training camp this week.
“That’s what we really look for, whether it’s Dalton, whether it’s Harty who we signed, whether it’s Trent Sherfield who we signed, all these guys have the ability to be used in different ways,” Dorsey said to the press. “You look at not only Dalton but a guy like Trent and a guy like Harty, those guys who have both played inside and outside and they’re multiple, they played X, Z, and F, so I think those are always things that you look for so that you’re not handcuffed.”
Beane has made it a point to draft players with multi-positional experience and potential to create versatile options for the Bills offense, even suggesting in his own presser that the slot receiver position could be filled by the committee with the talent they have on the roster.
One of the biggest developments on the offense is the addition of Kincaid, who allows the Bills to play defense-dictating two tight end sets, creating mismatches with his elite potential and skill set. He, along with Sherfield and Harty, gives Buffalo threats in the slot and outside and prevents teams from double-teaming Diggs.
Beane has been looking to add talent to the tight ends group since last offseason to allow Buffalo to run two tight end sets. Those formations require opposing defenses to play different coverage than they normally would on account of the multiple position and skill versatility of Kincade.
Count TE1 Dawson Knox among those who, like Dorsey, see the immediate impact of the versatile rookie.
“When we’re in there at the same time, he plays the F, which is kind of like a slot guy, but you can also bring him in in line,” Knox said to the media. “A little more versatility. I’ll be more in line if we’re both on the field. But at the same time, we like changing it up, where he goes in line, I spread out, and there might be a linebacker coming out to match me. So, it just adds a whole different layer that the defense has to prepare for, and it’s gonna make it hard on the defensive coordinator.”
The team has been running these two tight-end sets frequently during training camp thus far and is seeing some good early returns on their top draft selection.
“He’s already a very natural route runner,” Knox added. “Great feel for the defense, great hands. He’s shifty. He’s got some good speed. So I think his route-running capability is already pretty incredible for being a rookie.”
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Stefon Diggs on Gabe Davis: “If I’m not here, Gabe is easily WR1”
Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs has seen his fair share of noise in the press this offseason, so if anyone knows that feeling it may be the Bills WR1.
Like Diggs, however, the team’s WR2 role has been a hot topic since last season’s end.
Some outside the organization have questioned whether the team has a legitimate second threat in the passing game for QB Josh Allen.
Gabe Davis, who is entering his fourth year at the pro level and a contract year as well, has connected for some big plays with Allen over his past two campaigns, particularly in the postseason.
During 2022, however, an early season ankle injury and inconsistency with dropped catches. While some believe in the Diggs and Davis duo, others began to wonder if the Bills had a viable WR2 on the roster and to call for the team to select one in the first round of this year’s draft.
You can count Diggs as a believer, as he said this week that he thinks Gabe Davis is in for a big season during his first press conference of training camp.
“I feel like Gabe Davis will have a breakout year,” Diggs said. “I feel like he had got nicked up a little early last year, but I think this year he’s gonna have an amazing year. He’s damn near wide receiver one in my eyes. I feel like if I wasn’t here, Gabe Davis would be a WR1 and it’s something that I can hang my hat on when I say that. He’s an extremely hard worker.”
It’s worth noting that Davis still had a good receiving year in 2022, second only to Diggs in that respect, as he caught 48 passes for 836 yards with seven touchdowns.
What brought his play more into focus was that he also had nine dropped passes, more than his first two seasons combined (8). Only four receivers in the NFL had more in the NFL last season, and his his drop percentage on catchable targets (11.1%) was the highest among players with at least 90 targets per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
High-ankle sprains are rotational injuries that can impact and limit a player’s explosiveness and strength and can take months to fully heal.
“Hurting my ankle the way I did … I just felt like I lost a step,” Davis said to the press this week. “Really couldn’t do the things that I wanted to do that I was doing early that (training) camp. So it definitely was something that I was struggling with mentally, just having that pain on my ankle, trying to figure out ways to get my head out of it and kind of just play my game.”
The mental impact of a player experiencing an injury after preparing for a role like WR2 was not lost on him either.
“It pulls you a little bit just because the type of work and sacrifice you put into the offseason to be this player you’re trying to be then all of a sudden something like that ends up happening and everything feels great but it really messes with your head,” Davis added.
In addition to his teammates, his offensive coordinator voiced his support as well.
“He’s a very big piece of what we’ve got here,” OC Ken Dorsey said to the media. “He goes in there and he runs the deep routes, and he obviously doesn’t get a huge volume of targets in the last couple of years, but he’s still produced some really big numbers. And again, trying to maybe get some more easy ones for him and allow him to catch and run. The way that he works is very inspiring. Guys see that, and it makes guys work harder.”
As Davis aims to bounce back from last season, the support of Diggs was noted as well. He has trained with and mentored Davis over his young career, helping him with his route running and development,
“He’s like a big brother to me,” Davis said of Diggs, before commenting on the WR1s support of him.
“He’s the best of the best to do it. If a guy like that is saying that, a guy that knows football, then everyone should be saying the same thing.”
Apon making that remark, Davis paused in thought then walked off in a sort of mic drop moment, where he appeared to believe there was nothing that remained to be said on the topic.
Davis’s focus, of course, will be letting his actions on the field speak instead.
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