ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It's been a while since we've been out here at One Bills Drive and seen some variation of football on the field. We're back though with rookie minicamp underway.
As expected, most of the observing eyes focused on Keon Coleman, the Bills second round pick giving us our first look at what he'll bring on the field.
We've already gotten a taste of the personality he's bringing, with that continuing today when I asked him what's been the most surprising reaction he's received from Bills Mafia since being drafted a few weeks ago.
"I had a box of Chips Ahoy at my locker and some of the mail from some of the fans, it's been great," Coleman said. "The Chips Ahoy cookies, I was kind of like huh? I didn't get it. I thought I was tripping, but that was it. Other than that, that's it."
Coleman adding that as great as the welcome has been since being drafted a few weeks ago, it felt great to get back to the task at hand, and that's football.
"It's been pretty smooth," he said. "Coach Henry's been helping me out a lot. We've been zooming the past week or so and just breaking it down into pieces. Understanding the terminology and within each play, what they're trying to get done, the reads. That makes it very, very simple because there's only so many concepts you can run. It's just the terminology. Once you get that down, there's going to be a lot, but you'll be able to adjust."
Coleman saying he's aware of the attention, but has to keep his eyes on the prize.
"I'm happy to keep the main thing the main thing and get back to playing ball so you know the hype can be there all it wants but I still have to make plays on the field and I want to help contribute to win so we got to win to make our fans happy. A jacket ain't going to get that done."
As much as getting the call from the Bills on draft day was special, the reality of being in the NFL is really sank in gearing up to practice for the first time.
"Bunch of jitters," Coleman said. "I called my brother. It's exciting. The moment gets downplayed because the process is so long, but I think once I grabbed the helmet and put it on, it kind of shook me back to real life. This a reality now."
"That's probably the best feeling in the world. All the other stuff, that's cool and all, but the main thing is the main thing. Trying to get better on the football field, learning the playbook, impact the team, and try and help the team win. That's really what i'm focused on and what i really care about, so it's great to finally get back to it."
Now this weekend is really just about learning and getting coached up, something Coleman's also getting help with from the outside, reaching out to Bills legend and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reid.
"I was taught to always respect those that stepped before you," Coleman said. "The path that he paved here and legacy that he left, hall of famer, I just felt it was respect of him to reach out and ask of him whatever advice he can give me. To be able to keep that as a mentor. I felt that would be a great resource and you always want to use the resources provided to you. I'm looking forward to competing as a Bill."
Coleman and the rest of the rookies will continue the minicamp through the weekend.
Then he'll get his first taste of catching passes from Josh Allen in just under two weeks when OTAs get underway.