The Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp is underway in Orchard Park as this year's group of draft picks, undrafted free agents and camp invitees took the field Friday for their first practice.
We heard from outside linebacker TJ Parker, cornerback Davison Igbinosun, wide receiver Skyler Bell and more about their initial thoughts on the experience.
Here's what we learned.
TJ Parker: Expect Bills defense to be "fast, physical and nasty"
Parker, Buffalo's top selection in this year's draft, is eager to get to work with the new rookie class and the coaching staff.
"Working on my craft and get better every day," he said. "Then show the guys, show the coaches and the staff that I can play."
Wearing his newly minted No. 99 jersey, Parker said he's already spent a lot of time with outside linebacker coach Bobby April. One of the adjustments, Parker explained, is translating the new terminology in the playbook. He's challenging himself by trying to get up to speed to where the veterans are in understanding the new system.
"The vets been here five weeks up to this point," Parker said. "Getting to know the playbook and understanding the system so I can be able to compete."
In addition to the playbook, something the Bills defensive coaching staff is preaching to the entire defense is playing with an edge.
"Fast, physical and nasty. We're going to have fun doing it. We'll have a whole lot of swag," he said of the Bills' identity.
One aspect that's making the transition feel smoother is rooming with a friend — fifth round pick defensive tackle Zane Durant. The pair became friends during their respective collegiate careers, then bonded more at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
"That's my dog, that's my roommate right now. I was super excited when I saw him get drafted with us. So I'm excited to go through that process with him," Parker said.
The first weekend in an NFL environment can be a blur, but Parker shared that his mentality is to be thankful for each day and the challenge it presents.
"As I'm walking out here to the practice field the first thing I did was thank God. He gave me this opportunity. I'm just so happy to take it all there and continue to work," Parker said.
Skyler Bell: HC Joe Brady is a "football junkie"
Bell is wired with the mentality to always make a positive first impression. Such was the case Friday as the new wide receiver showed up to One Bills Drive feeling "antsy and nervous" in anticipation of starting his NFL journey.
In fact, Bell was so amped up and ready to hit the field that he mistakenly wore the wrong shoes inside the team facility as he went to go meet with head coach Joe Brady in his office.
"He was making fun of me up in the office. I wore my cleats up there by accident," Bell laughed.
Bell can look back and laugh about it now as he ended practice on a high note, shaking off the early jitters of the day.
"Once I got to 7-on-7 and team drills, I was pretty much flowing," Bell said.
Bell described Brady as a "football junkie" and someone that can balance the light-hearted moments with the down-to-earth encouragement and confidence-building.
"[Brady] was just telling me just be yourself and that we want you here. You're here for a reason," Bell said.
The fourth-round selection was one of the first players on the field for Friday's practice to go through his typical routine of finding the first pylon in sight and kneeling beside it to pray. It's Bell's way of remaining grounded and calm each time he steps on the field.
"I'm blessed to be here. It's a privilege to put on this uniform being the NFL," he said. "I just want to make the most of it and make people proud."
Davison Igbinosun: Coaching staff is "pouring into us tremendously"
Igbinosun already had a taste of Buffalo prior to minicamp, coming to town during the pre-draft process and then again the day after he was drafted for his introductory press conference — so he was familiar with the lay of the land and one of his new teammates
"I met TJ Parker when I came up to Buffalo after I got drafted," Igbinosun said. "It's just been cool getting situated with the team."
His first day of rookie minicamp was all about putting into practice what he's emphasizing internally and that is knowing the playbook so he can recall the terminology quickly on the field.
"What I'm doing right now is just trying to study the plays as much as I can so I can go out there and play fast and communicate effectively," he shared.
'IGB' detailed that the defensive coaching staff has been intentional with how they are communicating with the rookies so that they can practice confidently.
"These coaches that we have are pouring into us tremendously and just trying to have us prepared to go play on Sundays," he said.
