Watkins stands out at mini-camp
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — If Sammy Watkins still is hampered by the delicate surgery he had 13 months ago on his troublesome left foot, it was tough to tell on Wednesday.
Entering his fourth season as the Buffalo Bills’ ostensible go-to wide receiver, Watkins took most first-team reps in 11-on-11, unpadded scrimmage drills on Day 2 of the NFL team’s three-day mandatory mini-camp, which concludes spring practices.
As coaches and trainers monitored Watkins carefully, on a few plays he showed instantaneous burst off the line. On one, he left first-string cornerback Tre’Davious White, the team’s first-round draft pick, in the dust — even if quarterback Tyrod Taylor didn’t throw him the ball.
Although Watkins sat out the final 11-on-11 session of Wednesday’s practice (two-minute drills), and although he appeared at times to walk slowly, even deliberately, between plays, he looked as fullgo as he did in most games last fall once the ball was snapped.
This, just one day after he took part in only a handful of 11-on-11 plays — his first since spring practices ramped up early last month.
Watkins was slowed by a sore foot throughout the 2015 season and early in 2016 spring practices, before having surgery on a broken foot bone. Soreness in that foot continued to pester Watkins throughout last season. He played in only eight games, catching but 28 passes for two touchdowns.
The Bills did not pick up his fifthyear rookie option last month.
Whether or not Watkins indeed is back to near full health, his impressive bursts on Wednesday had to have been a relief for him — and a great way to celebrate his 24th birthday.
Alas, Watkins is not talking to the media this week. His next scheduled availability is at training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., in late July.
But, Watkins’ play so far this week has impressed at least one teammate.
“All I can say is he looked great,” backup quarterback Cardale Jones said. “I don’t want to compare last year to this year. The reps that he took yesterday and today — he looked good to me.”
Head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday that the Bills “are going to take it from a dayto-day approach and just be smart” with Watkins’ continuing recovery.
“We are focused on getting him ready for training camp, and this is part of that process of ramping up at the right time.”
So far, so good.
BON JOVI? REALLY?
Bills coaches blasted a mix of classic tunes during Wednesday’s practice. Everything from ’80s rap to ’70s rock to 21st-century country. What came as a shock, though, was hearing Bon Jovi’s pop/rock ’80s anthem Livin’ on
a Prayer. Seriously! Only three years after the failed attempt by frontman Jon Bon Jovi to purchase the Bills (with 70 per cent financial backing from Torontobased billionaires Edward Rogers and Larry Tanenbaum.) The original intention of Bon Jovi’s socalled Toronto group was to relocate the NFL franchise north of the border eventually. Thus, the singer became the most hated man in Western New York in summer 2014. On Wednesday, when
Livin’ on a Prayer blared out of the sideline speakers, Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula were watching practice on the other sideline. Couldn’t tell for sure, but they may have been smiling.
BOWLING BALL INDEED
Fullback/running-back Mike Tolbert is listed as 5-foot-9, 250 pounds. Think about those dimensions for a second. Well, Tolbert in person looks every bit of it. If not heavier. The old cliché about such low-built power backs smashing into the line like a bowling ball applies to this 10th-year veteran as much as NFLer you’ll ever see.
SHADY AT HIS BEST
Few NFL playmakers this century have possessed the sharp cutting ability of Bills running back LeSean (Shady) McCoy. In an 11-on-11 drill Wednesday, he showed he still has it, less than a month from his 29th birthday. After taking a screen pass from Taylor, McCoy drifted to his left, planted his left foot, then cut and burst to the right in an eye-blink, into open space for a big gainer. Wow.
GETTING THE BOOT
Sixth-year starting Bills left-tackle Cordy Glenn continues to nurse an injured left ankle. He walked around practice Wednesday in a protective air boot. Second-round draft pick Dion Dawkins took Glenn’s place on the first-string offensive line in 11-on-11 reps for a second consecutive day.
ANOTHER SEAU
Ian Seau, nephew of the late Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, worked with second- and thirdstring Buffalo defensive linemen on Wednesday. The 24-year-old defensive end from Oceanside, Calif., unsuccessfully tried out as a rookie last year with the Los Angeles Rams.
CONCRETE PLANS
The upper decks of New Era Field appear to be under renovation, with rows of seats ripped out, in some sections entirely. Word from the Bills is that the seats aren’t being replaced. Rather, they’re being temporarily removed, merely for concrete maintenance underneath.