Bills undrafted rookie defensive back Darius Robinson
Bills players went to the facility yesterday, expecting to have their final day of OTA’s. However, they instead were taken by bus to an Airsoft gun and paintball range in Buffalo, according to ESPN’s Mike Rodak:
Shortly after Buffalo Bills players arrived at the facility this morning for what they believed was their third organized team activity of the week, they were back on the road. Buses brought the players to an Airsoft gun and paintball range outside Buffalo for two hours of what was termed a team-building activity. Unlike the first two weeks of OTAs, when the NFL limits teams to three practices each week, the Bills were allowed to practice four times this week. Coach Doug Marrone told ESPN that he didn’t want four consecutive practices this week, so he brought his players out for some fun.
Marrone revealed today that he got shot in the chin beneath his mask by linebacker Kiko Alonso, but joked that he got his share of hits “I got my share but I don’t want to say it because those are the guys I don’t really like”. Marrone also elaborated further on the reasoning for the team bonding activity, and what happened during it.
“Yesterday, we had four days in a row this week and in my past I’ve done things where we’ve taken the players and done extracurricular activities,” said Marrone. “We had a good day of OTA’s and we had a good meeting, we had a good lifting session and then we went ahead to do some airball stuff in a competitive atmosphere. I like doing it in a competitive atmosphere.
“We split the coaches up and it was great. It was good interaction and really we accomplished what we were trying to do out there. The players did a nice job and they responded. I was proud of them, obviously nobody was injured which is a good thing.”
As for what the team did in its ninth and final OTA, Marrone said the team “had a good practice”, and is “looking forward” to a three-day mandatory minicamp next week, saying “let’s finish this thing up strong.”
In his first full off-season as the starter, second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel has been able to dive into the entire playbook. Marrone said that he’s “excited” about the way Manuel has worked so far through OTA’s.
“I think what had happened is that a lot of times even players, a lot of times you’re looking for the end product and for end results. For us, we’re looking for those steps for where he’s going or what he’s taking. Really when you look at the volume that we have in, which is really full scale everything right now, he’s made a great amount of improvement of things that he didn’t do as well last year.
“It starts with the foundation and his footwork and the things that are going on. I’m really excited about where he is and the amount of stuff that we put on his plate. I think everyone should be, I think normally what happens is it starts with the quarterback coach, the offensive coordinator and myself being offensive guys and the people in the offensive room. Now it’s getting ready to go on to the players and the team and everyone else. Now he’s getting ready to take that next step.”
As for Manuel’s newest offensive weapon, Marrone said he was “excited” about the progress rookie receiver Sammy Watkins has made in the past three weeks, and is also “excited to get him on that field”.
When asked if he would agree with the offense not looking smooth through OTAs, Marrone instead seemed pleased with the progress of the unit. He also decided to look at any offensive issue as a double-edged sword.
“I’m really happy about where it is,” said Marrone. “I’m happy about the ability that we have in our matchup potential now with what we’re doing and the ability where we can put different players. There are things now that we can do that we couldn’t do last year. From that standpoint I’m happy. As far as when you go on the field and you look and you try to keep score, I think it’s tough.
“I think there are moments all the time for both sides. The only one that’s going to ever really win out here is the head coach because some days the offense is going to do well and you’re happy for them and some days the defense will do well and you’re happy for the defense. I like to think of it that way, but usually I’m not happy either way because I’m always upset with the other side of the ball.”
With the Bills a young squad in several crucial areas such as quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive line, leadership could be a crucial component to whether or not the team improves this season. Buffalo has yet to select its captains for the upcoming season, but Marrone is leaving the decision to all to the players of a team that was the 10th youngest in the NFL last season at 26.7 years of age per player.
“My philosophy? I think it’s the player’s team,” said Marrone. “They go ahead and pick them and whoever they pick to be the captains are the people that they pick. That’s how I view it. I don’t try to rig it; I don’t try to do anything. This is your football team, who do you want to represent this football team?”
