Bills rookie linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been nothing short of impressive through the first few days of training camp. While the responsibilities being placed on Edmunds in Buffalo's defense are extensive, head coach Sean McDermott and the defensive staff has not felt a need to reduce the amount of what they've put on his plate to this point.
"I don't see any real limitations honestly. I see youth and lack of experience, but that's to be expected with a rookie in there," McDermott said of Edmunds. "The more reps he can get, the more the older guys can share what they know with him. And they can just talk situational football. The college game is different. The offensive schemes are different than what we face in the NFL. There will be an adjustment, but he's a pretty quick learner, so he'll make that adjustment as we move forward."
McDermott admits there are times where certain things will surface and he's reminded that Edmunds is in fact a rookie, but on the whole, he feels his middle linebacker is ahead of the game in terms of the intangibles that he brings.
"Overall, I feel like he's ahead of the game with where he is maturity-wise, his demeanor off the field, his demeanor on the field," he said. "But his parents and the way he was raised has him advanced in a lot of areas."
Phillips cross training at both DT spots
At the outset of training camp, rookie DT Harrison Phillips was given the task of focusing on the one-technique position on the defensive line, which had him lined up to be Star Lotulelei's backup. Lining up over the shoulder of the opposing center was to be his primary duty. But Phillips approach to the game has given him the opportunity to expand his role early in camp.
"What stands out right away is what a student of the game he is and how seriously he takes his job and you guys see that," said McDermott of Phillips. "He's smart. He's powerful. There are times when the older guys are getting him and there are times where he's getting some of the older guys, which is good at this point in his career."
McDermott confirmed Tuesday that after just four practices, Phillips is now being cross trained at both the one technique and three technique positions. Essentially, he's now competing to be the backup to both Lotulelei and Kyle Williams.
It is a change from what his responsibilities were in the scheme he played in college at Stanford, but McDermott doesn't see it being much of a hurdle for the dedicated Phillips.
"For us we're more of an attacking style defense," McDermott said. "I don't know Stanford's system intimately, but from what I've seen it looks more like a read and attack, as opposed to attack and react. So, we're asking him to penetrate a little more and get up the field.
"We'd like for our tackles to be interchangeable. One technique to three technique and three technique to one. We're training him to know both at this point."
Phillips role as a two-gap nose in Stanford's scheme convinced the Bills he could be a fit in a similar role to that of Lotulelei, but his penetrating ability in one-on-ones through the first few days of practice has likely convinced the defensive staff that he can be a quality contributor at the three technique too.
Zay Jones still sidelined, Murphy gets rest day
There is no change on the timetable for a Zay Jones return to practice from the Active Non-Football Injury list.
"That won't change from the way we started training camp," McDermott said. "You saw him running out there. We're continuing to move in the right direction at this point."
McDermott said when Jones does return he will be phased in steadily and will likely be limited at first.
Meanwhile, DE Trent Murphy is getting a veteran rest day. It will afford the veteran two days off in total knowing the team was idle on Monday.
TE Nick O'Leary, who missed Sunday's practice, returns today in a limited capacity. Fellow TE Logan Thomas is practicing, but on a non-contact basis. He's wearing a red jersey during practice today.
Photos from Day 4 of 2018 Bills Training Camp, presented by Connors and Ferris.
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Patrick DiMarco in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Charles Clay (85) catches a pass in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Charles Clay after day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Tremaine Edmunds at day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: John Hughes from day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: John Miller after day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Matt Milano stretched after day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Kelvin Benjamin after day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Head coach Sean McDermott's glasses reflect his players after day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: LeSean McCoy in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Kelvin Benjamin has a pass knocked away by Matt Milano in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Nathan Peterman in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: LeSean McCoy in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Jason Croom #80 with a long catch in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: AJ McCarron #10 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: AJ McCarron #10 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: John Hughes 91 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Eddie Yarbrough in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: AJ McCarron #10 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Harrison Phillips in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Conor McDermott and Shaw Lawson spar in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: #48 Keenan Robinson in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Jordan Poyer #21 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Josh Allen #17 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Chris Ivory #33 is congratulated by head coach Sean McDermott in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Chris Ivory #33 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Vontae Davis #22 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Head coach Sean McDermott address the defense in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Tremaine Edmunds in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Chris Ivory #33 in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Kelcie McCray (37) breaks up a pass for Logan Thomas in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Charles Clay stretches for a pass in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: John Hughes from day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Chris Ivory from day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action, Marquavius Lewis from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: John Hughes from day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: AJ McCarron in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
July 29, 2018, Pittsford, NY: Charles Clay in day four action from Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. (Craig Melvin/Buffalo Bills)
