Managing practices
In total, the Bills are going to have about 14 days worth of padded practice to prepare for their season opener against the Jets on Sept. 13. Not a lot of time.
On defense specifically, the Bills are established. But that brings the question of starters vs. backups in mind. With those 14 days, do the Bills let their starters make sure they’re good to go? Do they make sure the rookies and backups get plenty of looks just in case they have to be thrown into the fire? It’s tough, Frazier said.
“It’s a little bit of a dilemma, but it’s something that we have to be able to figure out because there are so many factors that go into having your backups properly prepared,” Frazier said. “You just don’t know if you’re going to lose someone, or circumstances that are completely out of their control beyond an injury on the field. We’ve got to make sure we’re giving those young guys their reps, and at the same time getting the vets the reps they need to be prepared for September 13. So it’s something that we’re trying to balance.”
Overall, Frazier said that he’s expecting the Bills to have “more full contact drills than we’ve had in the past,” in regard to how practices are run. Makes sense, but also a nerve-wrecking thought for coaches, players and fans alike.