The Bills held an open practice at Highmark Stadium for their fourth day of camp. Bills Mafia didn't disappoint by packing the stadium with 15,000 people. Fans helped provide the perfect atmosphere for a Saturday morning practice after being absent from so much of the 2020 season.
Here are three things to know from the open practice.
1. Zack Moss is feeling sharp
The running backs got a fair share of work during Friday's practice—Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and Matt Breida were one of the bright spots that day. On Saturday, Moss stood out amongst the group. The running back was active with a fair share of carries and catches out of the backfield.
Seeing Moss stand out in the first week of camp is noteworthy because of his road to recovery after ankle surgery. After practice, Moss told reporters his lower body is the strongest it's ever been thanks to an offseason of rehab in Orchard Park. Moss said it wasn't until three weeks ago that he finally started to feel comfortable again.
"I got past the mental part of just running again, cutting again and trusting it during the whole rehab part of my time just getting back," Moss shared. "So, just the way it was responding then, I already knew going out here and just now doing the football aspect of it, I'll be fine. I think the next thing, the next hurdle pretty much is to get over how it responds when getting tackled, getting contact and things like that, but so far so good."
Moss played in 13 games during his rookie season and totaled 112 carries for 481 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns. He worked on his explosion over the offseason and is ready to test out his fresh legs.
"I just want to get better overall," Moss said of this season. "I think I did a lot of good things last year and I did things that I wasn't so happy about last year. I definitely want to take all those things and just kind of just mash them together and just overall try to help this team get over that hump."
2. Dawson Knox's catch of the day
Tight end Dawson Knox didn't have the smoothest start to last season due to a calf injury and being placed on the COVID-19 list. When Knox spoke to reporters during OTAs, he explained he wanted to pick up where he left off in 2020. Knox finished the regular season with three touchdowns in the final six games.
The tight end had the catch of practice today. Knox caught a pass in traffic from Allen for a touchdown. The ball was thrown in a tight window and Knox used his strong hands to pull it down with two defensive backs tightly covering him.
Knox told the media in June his number one focus over the offseason was working on catching the ball. Through four practices, the tight end has had a few notable receptions.
Running back Zack Moss thinks the more opportunities he gets, the more he'll grow in the offense.
"It's great playing with him because he knows and he understands a lot of the things, especially when it comes to blocking as a blocking tight end, that's big as well," Moss said. "Communication and things like that, he helps a lot, helps the O-line, so he's really good and he's doing a lot of good things so far."
3. Jake Kumerow takes advantage of an opportunity
We all know of the connection Josh Allen has with receivers like Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis. Jake Kumerow was added to the mix on Saturday. Kumerow had an opportunity to get some love from Allen because Stefon Diggs had a veteran rest day.
The wide receiver did not disappoint and hauled in a few nice receptions. One that stood out was a great pass from Allen to Kumerow who was blanketed by Levi Wallace, Kumerow bobbled the ball but pulled it in and ran into the end zone.
Cornerback Dane Jackson has taken reps against him and thinks his speed is one of his biggest weapons.
"He's like an all-around good receiver in every aspect--blocking, catching, running after the catch," Jackson explained. "He just sneaks up on you, really. You don't really see it off the rip, but when he's out there running it's crazy. He can run, he can catch and he can do it all. His size is deceiving.
"You don't think bigger guys are fast but he's really fast. He gets up on you quick when you're playing off and when you're pressing he can take that speed release and he's gone."
The wide receivers have one of the most stacked position rooms on the team. With so much talent, it'll be tough to make the final cut. Kumerow has definitely made his presence known in the first week of camp.
