Buffalo Bills Links 6/9: Highlights from Tuesday’s OTAs
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A rare brouhaha between A.J. Epenesa and Jon Feliciano.
Rare is the on-field skirmish during an NFL team’s Organized Team Activities (OTAs), but that was the situation the Buffalo Bills found themselves in on Tuesday when defensive end A.J. Epenesa and guard Jon Feliciano came to blows at the team’s practice facility in Orchard Park, NY.
Today’s edition of the Bills daily links summarizes the scuffle between Epenesa and Feliciano, which apparently started after Epenesa picked off a Josh Allen pass and took it back for a touchdown. We also break down the highlights from OTAs, including the return of center Mitch Morse and tackle Daryl Williams, an interception from rookie safety Damar Hamlin and a fumble recovery by rookie edge rusher Carlos “Boogie” Basham.
We discuss how general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott didn’t punish college football prospects for sitting out the 2020 season, hear how offensive coordinator Brian Daboll thinks Josh Allen and the offense can improve in 2021, learn about a symbolic passing of the torch from Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly to Allen, speculate on what the Bills’ Week 1 depth chart could look like, revisit the picks that hit and those that missed from Buffalo’s 2018 NFL Draft class, and more!
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“Iron sharpens iron”: Jon Feliciano, A.J. Epenesa scuffle at Buffalo Bills OTAs – Buffalo Rumblings
We normally don’t see scuffles at Organized Team Activities because OTAs are voluntary, shorter practices, and there is very little physical contact, but on Tuesday, defensive end A.J. Epenesa and guard Jon Feliciano came to blows on the practice field.
Mitch Morse, Daryl Williams arrive at Buffalo Bills OTAs – Buffalo Rumblings
The list of Buffalo Bills not present for Organized Team Activities is dwindling, and you can remove center Mitch Morse and tackle Daryl Williams from that list.
Plays that defined 2020: Wild Card Round—Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – Buffalo Rumblings
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In his first injury-free professional season, the third-year man came up big.
Buffalo Bills didn’t punish prospects who missed 2020 season – Buffalo Rumblings
Despite sitting out all or most of the 2020 season, Greg Rousseau, Spencer Brown and Rachad Wildgoose Jr. did enough to impress Buffalo.
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Overreaction Sports Podcast | Guest Joe Marino Episode II – Buffalo Rumblings
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Additional Bills news from around the web
Rare skirmish breaks out at Tuesday’s OTAs
Observations: Rare spring scuffle breaks out at Bills practice | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Tempers flared between second-year defensive end A.J. Epenesa and guard Jon Feliciano.
A June skirmish, Boogie Basham’s juice and more takeaways from Week 3 of Bills OTAs – The Athletic
“…Jon Feliciano and A.J. Epenesa threw punches at one another and set off a melee of pushing and shoving,” writes Matthew Fairburn. (Subscription required).
5 observations at Bills OTAs practice (Week 3): Jon Feliciano, A.J. Epenesa fight gets competitive juices flowing – newyorkupstate.com
Bills held final open practice of OTAs Tuesday in Orchard Park.
Highlights from Tuesday’s OTA’s – BuffaloBills.com
“The Buffalo Bills hit the practice field on Tuesday as they wrap up the final week of OTA’s.”
Mitch Morse, Daryl Williams at Tuesday’s OTA session – WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills were back on the field Tuesday for the second of four organized team activity sessions this week, and the only one of the week open to the media,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Despite record-setting 2020, Bills’ offense striving to get better
Brian Daboll: Lots to like about Bills offense, but work never stops – Democrat & Chronicle
Sal Maiorana reports on comments made by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Jim Kelly’s symbolic passing of the torch to Josh Allen
Jim Kelly gifted Josh Allen with special football – WGR 550
One Buffalo Bills great passed the torch to another. In a special symbolic moment, Jim Kelly gifted Josh Allen a football with that very message.
Hall of Famer Jim Kelly passes ‘the torch’ to Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen for charity – Buffalo Bills Blog- ESPN
Buffalo’s star QB met up with the former great last weekend at an event to benefit Kelly’s foundations that included a memorable photo op.
What Buffalo’s depth chart could look like in Week 1
Bills depth chart 2021: Buffalo’s projected Week 1 starters heading into OTAs, training camp – CBSSports.com
Examining Buffalo’s new depth chart — by Chris Trapasso.
Revisiting Buffalo’s 2018 NFL Draft class
The Baker Mayfield-Josh Allen-Lamar Jackson NFL Draft: Ranking the classes, 3 years later – The Athletic
“The Ravens, Bills and Browns scored high in our fresh analysis of the 2018 NFL Draft, three years into the players’ careers.” (Subscription required).
Dawson Knox hoping to break through in 2021
Bills TE Dawson Knox worked with vision specialist to help ‘take that next step’ in Year 3 – NFL.com
“Heading into next week’s mandatory minicamp, the Bills have yet to upgrade the tight end room this offseason. The lack of additions gives Dawson Knox a clear path to a significant role in 2021,” writes Kevin Patra.
Odds and ends
Vic Carucci: Josh Allen’s lack of satisfaction should serve Bills well | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“As you sit on that figurative red, white and blue cloud, anticipating an Allen-led run all the way to the Super Bowl, know this: Nothing he did or will do comes as easily or automatically as it might seem.”
Brandon Beane: Vaccination status won’t be a divisive issue for Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“It has been a hot topic, but in the building the guys have been very focused on football here,” Beane said.
Bills Today | This is what Bills GM Brandon Beane had to say about vaccination thresholds – BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Tuesday, June 8.
Titans’ acquisition of Julio Jones increases shootout potential for Week 6 game against Bills | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Sunday’s trade that sent Jones from the Falcons to the Tennessee Titans means the Bills will face him in Week 6 on Monday Night Football instead of Week 17, when Atlanta visits Orchard Park,” writes Jay Skurski.
