Buffalo Bills rookie minicamp draws rave reviews

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It’s been a while since we’ve been here at One Bills Drive and seen some variation of football on the field. We’re back with a rookie minicamp underway.

As expected, most eyes focused on Keon Coleman, with the Bills’ second-round pick giving us our first look at what he’ll bring to the field.

We’ve already gotten a taste of the personality he brings, and that continues today when I asked him what was the most surprising reaction he’s received from Bills Mafia since being drafted there. a few weeks ago.

“I had a box of Chips Ahoy in my locker and some fan mail, it’s been great,” Coleman said. “Cookies Chips Ahoy, I was kind of like huh? I didn’t understand. I thought I was tripping, but that was it. Other than that, that’s it.”

Coleman adds that while the reception has been great since his selection a few weeks ago, it was great to get back to the task at hand, and that is football.

“It went pretty well,” he said. “Coach Henry helped me a lot. We zoomed in last week and just broke it down into pieces. Understanding the terminology and in each play, what they’re trying to do, the reads. That’s done it’s very, very simple because there are only so many concepts you can perform. It’s just the terminology. Once you understand this, there will be a lot, but you will be able to adapt.

Coleman says he’s aware of the attention, but needs to keep his eyes on the prize.

“I’m happy to keep it to the basics and get back to playing ball so you know the hype can be there as much as it wants, but I still have to play on the field and I want to help win so that we can win.” I have to win to make our fans happy. A jacket won’t be enough. »

While getting the call from the Bills on draft day was special, the reality of being in the NFL is really rooted in getting ready to practice for the first time.

“A bunch of nerves,” Coleman said. “I called my brother. It’s exciting. The moment is downplayed because the process is so long, but I think once I grabbed the helmet and put it on, it made me feel better. sort of brought back to real life. It’s a reality now.”

“It’s probably the best feeling in the world. All the other stuff is cool and all, but the bottom line is the bottom line. Trying to get better on the football field, learning the playbook, having impacting the team and trying to 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 it’s just about learning and getting coached, something Coleman is also getting outside help with, reaching out to the Bills legend and Hall of Fame wide receiver of the NFL, Andre Reid.

“I was taught to always respect those who came before you,” Coleman said. “The path that he made here and the legacy that he left, the Hall of Fame, I just felt like it was respect for him to reach out and ask him for any advice that he could give me. To be able to keep this as a mentor I I thought it would be a great resource and you always want to use the resources that are provided to you I look forward to competing as Bill.

Coleman and the rest of the recruits will continue minicamp throughout the weekend.

Then he’ll get his first look at Josh Allen’s passes in just under two weeks, when OTAs begin.