Here's the Bills news of note for Sept. 2nd.
1 – Jones and White projected for All-Rookie teamAs the regular season approaches, two Bills' rookies have been tabbed as possible All-Rookie team candidates. Mel Kiper, of ESPN, picked Zay Jones and Tre'Davious White to the team. Kiper stated he based his projected team not only on talent, but on opportunity. Here’s his full breakdown.
Kiper picked two wide receivers to his all-rookie team. One is the Bills second-round pick Jones.
*I really liked this pick in Round 2, and with Sammy Watkins off to the Rams, Jones might be the Bills' No. 1 wide receiver. Yes, seriously. His eight targets at Baltimore in the third preseason game led the team. Now, I don't think the Buffalo passing offense is going to light the league on fire, but Jones is going to get chances. And that's all he needs; he set an FBS single-season record with 158 catches at East Carolina in 2016. *
Jones certainly has the potential to break out this season. Not only does he have talent, but he has a major opportunity in Buffalo. As Kiper stated, Jones isn't unaccustomed to being the main threat on an offense. During his senior year at East Carolina, he received a high volume of throws. He turned those targets in record-breaking production. In the same position on the Bills offense, he could impress again.
Kiper also picked two cornerbacks to the team, one being the Bills first-round pick White.
White became Buffalo's No. 1 corner after Ronald Darby was traded to the Eagles. That's what Buffalo thinks of its top pick. My fifth-ranked corner, White was a four-year starter at LSU who had six career interceptions.
Much like Jones, White is going to have an opportunity to play a lot this season. Starting at outside corner, White will play against the opponent's best receiver every week. As he's shown in preseason, he's a smart corner who uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball. Pressed into a leading role on the Bills defense, White could prove to be the best corner in his draft class.
2 – McDermott's unique workout regimenCoach Sean McDermott's exercise regimen is rather unique. The first-time head coach is a big proponent of MMA training. McDermott said he started practicing MMA and cross-training a couple years ago. He said his workout routine does more than keep him in shape – it teaches him discipline and makes him a better coach. Kevin Clark, of the Ringer, asked McDermott what a regular workout is like for him.
I like to train, said McDermott. Sometimes you get low on sleep and need a little bit of recovery, but I just feel better when I train. I try and do weights a couple times a week. I'd like to do them more, but then I try to do some distance running, and a little bit of yoga or some MMA just to cross-train every once in a while.
McDermott said that above all, he works out to reinforce discipline in his life. As he has preached many times during the offseason, if the Bills are going to be successful, they must learn how to work harder than any other team in the NFL. McDermott has shown that the best way to teach that virtue to his team is to practice it himself.
*I think it helps you in life, said McDermott. We had Jordan Burroughs, who's an Olympic gold medalist, [come to speak to the team] and he's over representing the USA right now in the World Championships, so he and I were just sharing life—getting life skills from wrestling. [With wrestling] there's no one to blame but yourself, for the most part. It's all about preparation, work ethic, dedication, adversity, grit, so those are things that come up in everyday life.
*
3 - Peterman ends preseason on a highWith Tyrod Taylor still battling through a concussion, rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman was given the start in the final preseason game. In a quarter of action, Peterman turned in his best performance as a Bill. Despite playing well, Peterman said he thinks he could have been better in the preseason.
"Just when I go look back at plays," said Peterman. "I could have done better. I think I left a little bit out there in the earlier games and obviously tonight. That pass back there probably could have went for a touchdown. Things I know I was working on is a lot of motivation for me going forward.
For a rookie quarterback, preseason couldn't have gone much better for Peterman. His play in the first preseason game earned him second-team reps. He continued to show progress in each game, as he saw increasingly longer playing time.
Kevin Patra, of NFL.com, said the Bills front office should feel very comfortable with Peterman as the back-up quarterback this season.
TheBills *employed a bevy of three-step drops with Peterman in (likely to help keep him healthy). The rookie quarterback displayed good pocket presence, got the ball out quickly, showed good accuracy and timing with receivers. *
Peterman ended the night with nine completions on 11 attempts for 81 yards, and a touchdown. In a quarter of playing time, he led the offense down the field and into the red zone several times. These drives ended in a field goal, and a Jonathan Williams touchdown run.
As the regular season approaches, Peterman will assume the back-up role to Taylor. But, the Bills front office will feel contented knowing that they have a reliable back-up if Taylor should happen to miss playing time.
