ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills had perfect attendance and some victorious visitors on the first day of this week’s mandatory minicamp concluding the offseason program.
Here are some takeaways from Tuesday’s practice, the first of three on the schedule.
The champs were here
Players and coaches from three state championship football teams were invited to practice — Western New York’s first flag football team to win a NYSPHSAA title from Pioneer, along with the girls from Webster-Shroeder in the Rochester area, and the Clymer/Sherman/Panama football team that achieved glory in the fall.
The teams were greeted by several Bills players afterward, including star quarterback Josh Allen, who signed autographs, posed for pictures, and fielded questions from the wide-eyed young athletes.
“It was a big opportunity for us because we could ask for advice,” Pioneer quarterback Ellie Edwards said. “I got to ask Josh Allen for advice, and as a quarterback that’s super important because everyone knows he’s the MVP.
“So I felt it was a good opportunity for us to get out here and gain some knowledge.”
The Bills have championed the growth of flag football, hosting a kickoff event with more than 60 teams from Buffalo and Rochester, as well as regional playoff games at Highmark Stadium, and committing grant funds with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation for the formation of modified programs for girls in the area.
“It feels great to be a state champion,” Edwards said. “It’s been our dream for so long and to accomplish that and see others accomplish that is great for Western New York.”
Participation report
The Bills had all 91 of their rostered players in camp. But they didn’t all practice.
The notable news was James Cook’s attendance after the fourth-year running back missed all of the voluntary workouts this spring, presumably dissatisfied with contract extension negotiations. Cook did not wish, however, to incur fines for skipping minicamp ($17,000 for the first practice, $104,000 for the week).
“I like my money,” Cook said with a grin. “That’s why I’m here.”
Cook III, as the back of his jersey now reads, received about a half dozen reps in team scrimmage and looked spry during individual drills. He will be paid $5.2 million on the final year of his rookie deal. He has expressed a desire for new contract worth $15 million per season. The Bills have worked out extensions with several players in that salary range, but have traditionally not awarded lucrative contracts to running backs.
Coach Sean McDermott gave Cook credit for reporting for work with a professional attitude despite the contractual discord.
“Business is business,” McDermott said. “:”At the end of the day, I know he loves being around this team and the guys in the locker room, and he loves to play football. So I respect his decision to be here.”
Allen, back from his honeymoon, returned to practice wearing a rubber wedding band and his usual smiling demeanor. The reigning MVP whose new contract guarantees him an NFL record $250 million said marrying movie star Hailee Steinfeld has been the most significant development in his life.
“They’ve all been big none other than marrying my best friend,” he said. “And she makes everything easier so I don’t really focus on the other stuff. That was the most important decision I’ll make in my life and I made the right one.”
Safeties Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin, defenisve end Joey Bosa, defensive back Cam Lewis, center Connor McGovern, wide receiver KJ Hamler, and linebacker Baylon Spector were held out of practice due to injuries. McDermott said he expects everyone to be healthy by training camp. Nickel defender Taron Johnson participated with a red non-contact jersey after McDermott said he would not practice.
Working his way back
For the first time this spring, Bosa was seen working out on the sideline with team trainers. The veteran pass rusher has been out of practice with a calf injury sustained during conditioning sessions.
While not wearing pads or a helmet, Bosa cut a formidable figure in his No. 97 jersey that portends his potential to impact the Bills defense.
Added LB
The Bills signed 31-year-old linebacker Shaq Thompson on Tuesday. The first-round pick from 2015 played his first two seasons in Carolina with McDermott has his defensive coordinator, and was eager to reunite.
“Coach Sean McDermott is one of those guys that you just want to run through a wall for,” Thompson. “He always has the energy, he’s always positive and he wants to win at the end of the day.”
After eight seasons as a starter and four in which he compiled more than 100 tackles, Thompson was limited to six games over the past two seasons with Achilles tendon and ankle injuries. He did not practice Tuesday and spent much of the individual drill period chatting with McDermott.
“I would never end my career on an injury,” Thompson said. “That’s just a mindset thing for me. I want to end on my terms, and I want to end how I want to end.”
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.