As Bills OTAs get underway Tuesday here's what you need to know about the workouts.
Workouts are voluntary
All players on the roster are allowed to participate, but offseason workouts aren't mandatory for players until the team's minicamp in late June.
No padsUnder the terms of the new CBA pads cannot be worn during this phase of offseason workouts. Pads cannot be worn during the mandatory minicamp either. Players can be required to wear helmets, but no pads and no shells (smaller version of shoulder pads).
Three days a weekNo more than three days of OTAs can take place in a given week. Buffalo has scheduled their three OTAs days to be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays over the first two weeks.
In Week 3 of OTAs teams can have four practices. The Bills will practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday that week (June 11-12, June 14-15).
ParticipantsAttendance is expected to be very high for a close-knit roster that prides itself on commitment. The only rookie expected to miss OTAs due to class schedule is S Delano Howell out of Stanford.
Players that are still rehabilitating from offseason surgeries and expected to be limited or held out of OTA practices include TE Mike Caussin, CB Terrence McGee, DE Shawne Merriman, DT Torell Troup, LB Chris White, DT Kyle Williams, C Eric Wood.
CoverageBuffalobills.com will provide full coverage of the OTA practices, with written and video reports (Bills Roundup). Player interviews will also be available in the Media Center at Buffalobills.com. New stories and reports are usually posted beginning an hour after practice has concluded (see practice schedule below)
The only fully open practices to the media will be on Tuesdays. The third week of OTAs, the Monday and Friday practices will be open. For open practices, follow the Bills on twitter for the latest updates Follow @buffalobills //
Head coach Chan Gailey will be available for comment on Tuesdays only. The third week of OTAs he'll comment on Monday (Jun 11) and Friday (Jun 15).
Practice schedule
Tues. May 29th – OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Thurs. May 31st – OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Fri. June 1st – OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Tues. June 5th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Thurs. June 7th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Fri. June 8th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Mon. June 11th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Tues. June 12th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Thurs. June 14th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
Fri. June 15th - OTA 12:35 – 2:05 pm
