ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — While mandatory minicamp is scheduled for three days, the Bills under Sean McDermott are usually just on the practice field for the first two.
This year though, there was a change to the routine, with Buffalo practicing on the third and final day.
The reasoning for head coach Sean McDermott was a simple one.
"We need to practice," McDermott said, emphasizing each word. "Obviously, a high percentage of new players, new faces, so the more reps we can get the better. And listen, I would say, I appreciate the player's willingness and their attitude when they went out there. Not all teams are practicing on the third day of minicamp. I appreciate their attitude."
The third and final day saw more opportunities for those who are not projected starters to get their reps in, with the likes of Mitch Trubisky, for example, getting extended time in practice.
Now, every player gets a nice long break before returning for training camp in late July.
From now until then, the message from up top to the rest of the team, staff, and players alike: get some rest before the hard work begins.
"Recharge, refresh, and communicate wherever you're job is," said Bills general manager Brandon Beane. "If you're a trainer and something's going on if you're a scout and you hear something. Whatever you're job is, communicate with us, but get away. We've got a long grind, let's be fresh when we get back."
"Be ready to go," McDermott said. "Make good decisions in the offseason... period of time when they leave us to when they come back to St. John Fisher and be ready to go. Be in shape because it's going to be a challenging camp."
When the Bills return to the field, they'll do so at St. John Fisher University, with training camp yet again taking place in Pittsford.