On separate occasions, E.J. Manuel threw deep balls for Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins. Both times, the ball was closest to a defender, with Woods and Watkins stopping after 10 yards, appearing to be going for shorter routes.
Head coach Doug Marrone said that the offense struggled early and made some strides later in practice. He singled out “execution” as an issue in the teams first padded practice, and something that needs improvement.
“I want them to perform better, no doubt about it,” said Marrone.
With pads on for a practice for the first time since December, there were miscommunications between quarterbacks and receivers, and some issues pass-protection wise. Marrone acknowledges that it has been a long period of time since pad work, and it will take time for the time to work itself in.
“You obviously don’t start right where you left off, it takes some time,” said Marrone. “That’s why I’m glad we’re in early. We’re not even close to where we’d like to be and we have got plenty of work ahead of us, as you witnessed today.”
Manuel felt it “was a good day”, but still says the team has “to continue to get better”. As for the confusion at times in the passing game between him and receivers, Manuel stated that during practice, “you have to move past it.”
“I try to treat practice like a game and I think the rest of the team does,” said Manuel. “So if you have a miscommunication, like I said, we’re still putting new players in the thing, so if a guy didn’t get a signal or if he forgets what he has on a certain route, just move on to the next one. Try not to let one mistake become two”
How the offense responds tomorrow to the issues could show how they respond to adversity, which could be key for a team that has made its expectations of a postseason berth known. The Bills can’t panic when one day of practice or game doesn’t go there way. As Manuel said, “you have to move past it.”
Other Notes:
- Marcell Dareus is now at camp
Marrone said after practice on Monday that Dareus would arrive Monday night, but said today that “weather has an issue.”
Now it’s official that Dareus is back.
The #Bills announced that Marcell Dareus is back at camp
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) July 22, 2014
Marrone also said Dareus would work with the weight room staff as soon as he got to camp. That being said, until there is approval from weight coaches, Dareus will not perform the conditioning test needed to be passed in order to get on the field.
- Dustin Hopkins not challenging Dan Carpenter for kicker position
Marrone told the media that Hopkins “has to play his way on to this roster as a kickoff specialist”.
With only 53 players allowed on the final roster, unless Hopkins is much better than Carpenter at kickoffs, and there isn’t a need for six or seven receivers on the roster, it will be tough to make on the roster.
Hopkins’ groin injury last September ended his best opportunity to be Buffalo’s kicker. Carpenter was signed right afterward, and proceeded to go for a career-best 33 for 36 on field goals for a career-high 131 total points.
- Jeff Tuel getting some second-team reps
While Thaddeus Lewis won both games against the Miami Dolphins last season, he is not guaranteed to be the back-up quarterback, according to Marrone.
“We have a battle for the second team quarterback,” said Marrone. “We’re trying to find out who it’s going to be and Jeff did a nice job in OTAs and he’s earned himself some more reps.”
Tuel continues to be a revelation, going from unheralded as an undrafted free-agent from Washington State to getting a start against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. His rise could continue with a great camp.
Tuel has shown a great release, underrated arm, and a better body, according to WGR’s 550 Joe Buscaglia:
Tuel has the prototypical frame in comparison to Lewis, and the team has always said they believe in him as a long-term option as a backup quarterback. Given the new opportunities so short into his second training camp, Tuel isn’t taking anything for granted and is making sure to do all the little things.
“I feel like I’ve progressed tremendously in the mental aspect of the offense, and just learning protection and plays and where to go with the ball when and stuff like that,” he said. “That’s just what I need to continue to do. I’m just going to play the best I can every day and wherever it takes me is just where it takes me.”
Any time Tuel’s name was brought up and the Bills were asked what they would like to see from him, some variation of the words ‘he needs to get stronger,’ was used. The second-year quarterback took it to heart, nailed down a program with the training staff to get leaner in the offseason and has come back to the Bills with a new physique.
“I feel a lot stronger and a lot better,” Tuel said. “I’m lighter on my feet and stuff. I definitely took that upon myself this offseason and took it pretty serious.”
Competition at any position is great, as Tuel making such a push for the backup job this early on appears to be mostly because of what he’s done, not about what Lewis hasn’t. How this battle translates into preseason games could be very intriguing.
Follow ProPlayerInsiders (@PlayerInsiders) and Robin Lalisse (@RobinLalisse) on Twitter
