Latest news with #AJEpenesa
New York Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Bills ‘Hard Knocks' takeaways: Josh Allen is big man on campus, Tre'Davious White's sweet return
The cold open shows Josh Allen taking a seat on the metal bleachers in front of at least three cameras and getting mic'd up. With an off-camera producer, he exchanges casual pleasantries. It was an appropriate beginning Tuesday night to the superficial debut of 'Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Buffalo Bills.' Advertisement The episode wasn't directed at Bills fans aside from those excited merely by witnessing Allen and his mates get the NFL Films slo-mo treatment. Those who follow the Bills didn't learn much. But because HBO's reality sports series is beamed around the world, the objective was to pour this season's foundation, introducing casual football fans — and those who don't watch sports at all — to the most important characters. Bills fans likely weren't aware defensive end A.J. Epenesa was a python hunter in the Florida Everglades, but they have impassioned knowledge of Allen's dominion and cornerback Tre'Davious White's injury history and are well aware left tackle Dion Dawkins' has eclectic interests, which include taking his cars for a spin at Big Indian Drift Pit on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. The first sentence out of narrator Liev Schreiber's mouth declares, 'The Bills do things their way.' He was referring to the Bills being one of only five NFL teams that still go away to college for camp, the theme of the first nine minutes of the 57-minute episode, and revisited throughout. Buffalo media has covered the training-camp dynamic at St. John Fisher University for 25 years. Packing and dorm life and team bonding and schleping all that equipment are annual content in Western New York. The Pittsford Farms Dairy is a long-established location to spot players away from campus. No secrets are revealed, no epiphanies encountered. 'Hard Knocks' wants to tell stories over five weeks, however, and to do that effectively, it must set the scene and introduce everyone to the Bills' culture and top personalities. Here is what they saw: Josh, Josh and more Josh. There's no doubt who Buffalo's leading man is. Allen is the common thread throughout most of the episode. Advertisement The episode is stuffed with Allen highlights — throwing missiles, hurdling fools and getting married to actress Hailee Steinfeld. A segment on getting in sync with new receiver Joshua Palmer provides insight into QB-WR relationship building. Toward the end of the episode, NFL Films follows along as owner Terry Pegula gives Allen a tour of the new Highmark Stadium. White's comeback story and personality are prominently displayed. White suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2022 and a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023. Last year, he spent four disappointing games with the Los Angeles Rams and nine mediocre games with the Baltimore Ravens before re-signing with the Bills this offseason. The 30-year-old White, in full pads after practice, is seen running a hill several times behind the St. John Fisher gym as part of his training. 'A lot of hard work put in, man,' White tells general manager Brandon Beane on the sideline during practice. 'Man, I'm having the best fun of my life. Like, this is family, bruh. It makes me come with the most … I really love these dudes.' White and Christian Benford also make an entertaining trip to Pittsford Farms Dairy. White introduces Benford to his namesake sundae — warmed-up chocolate chip cookie under vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkles — and then asks for 10 more to be made so they could hand them out to the customers in line. 'Josh Allen is so f—— good, man. Damn, man. I love it.' – mic'd-up offensive coordinator Joe Brady to himself Production for the first episode included events only through Friday's intrasquad scrimmage at Highmark Stadium. That means we don't learn any behind-the-scenes information about running back James Cook's decision to not practice Sunday and Monday despite being a full participant in mandatory minicamp and through the first eight camp sessions. Advertisement Cook wasn't even mentioned in the debut, but he will be a star next Tuesday night — even if the Bills and Cook's camp reach some sort of resolution. Cook, entering the final season on his rookie contract, wants a new deal after rushing for 16 touchdowns last year. Benford was mic'd when rookie cornerback Max Hairston suffered a scary non-contact knee injury last Tuesday in practice. Benford whispers a prayer Hairston's ear. 'Heavenly Father, please give him strength,' Benford says. 'As we honor everything you give us, please heal him. You know it's never worse, as much as we think it is, Lord. God, bless his mind, his soul, his body, his everything, Lord. Please give him strength, Lord. As we're weak, bless everything we do because we can't do it without you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.' Hairston's diagnosis was a sprained LCL, which will sideline him for a few weeks, but won't erase his season as feared. Undrafted rookie receiver Stephen Gosnell scored a 42-yard touchdown Thursday, running a flag route that got behind White and the safeties. Gosnell dove into the end zone, made the catch before somersaulting and then spiking the ball, well, like an undrafted rookie. The ball left his hand early and skipped 20 yards out of the end zone. Coaches dissect the film of the play. Brady: 'Hate the spike. That is an awful spike. Oh, my god.' Receivers coach Adam Henry: 'He said, 'I've arrived.'' Brady: 'What did he say?' Henry: 'That's what he said … 'Josh looked at me when he called the play. Looked at me and nodded. He said, 'I arrived.' He said, 'I knew that ball was coming to me.' He said, 'I arrived. They know who I am now.'' Maybe Gosnell is a 'Hard Knocks' legend in the making like Chris '7-Eleven' Hogan and Boomer Grigsby.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 observations from Day 9 of Buffalo Bills training camp
Buffalo Bills 2025 NFL training camp is rolling on and will be watched under a microscope each and every day. Throughout practices, updates are shared during the workouts which make for intriguing and important notes. In terms of Day 9 of training camp, what stood out the most? Here are three observations from the ninth day of Bills training camp: James Cook is out The big news on Sunday was running back James Cook finally sitting out a practice as he looks for a new contract from the Bills. He has previously worked out at every practice, but was on the sideline on Day 9. When asked about why he sat out, Cook reportedly just said one word: "business." Wide receiver a concern During the Bills' Friday practice, wide receiver Khalil Shakir was injured. Turns out he will be out several weeks according to head coach Sean McDermott. Keon Coleman has managed to stay healthy during training camp, but aside from him, injuries have been found up-and-down the receiver depth chart. Shakir was Buffalo's top receiver last season. Epenesa sighting Pass rusher AJ Epenesa has had a quiet training camp and overshadowed by new additions at his position such as Joey Bosa. Epenesa caught attention on Sunday. The team's website noted that Epenesa was swatting passes at the line and ever had a pick-six interception during practice. This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills training camp: 3 observations from Day 9 of workouts
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Trade Rumor Oddly Links Injured Joey Bosa
Bills Trade Rumor Oddly Links Injured Joey Bosa originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills signed star edge rusher Joey Bosa after the Los Angeles Chargers released him earlier this offseason, so the team has yet another player getting after the quarterback. Advertisement If Bosa can stay on the field, the team might need to find a new home for one of their edge rushers to make room for him. In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, he lists one player that each NFL team could consider trading before the 2025 season. For the reigning AFC East champions, he thinks they could move on from edge rusher A.J. Epenesa. "The Bills just gave Bosa over $12 million to come to Buffalo in 2025. Gregory Rousseau received a four-year, $80 million extension that included $54 million in guarantees this spring. The team used a third-round pick in this year's draft on LSU's Landon Jackson," Davenport wrote. "There's always demand for edge-rushers in the NFL—even rotational options like Epenesa. And with him unlikely to be with the team past the 2025 season, now is the time to see what they can get for him." Bosa has had some struggles with injuries over the past several seasons, but if he can stay on the field, then Epenesa could be on the outs. ... or, at least, that's the theory here. Advertisement The reality? The 26-year-old edge rusher finished this past season with 39 total tackles and six sacks. He was also able to show his versatility with two passes defended and two forced fumbles. There is still a chance that the Bills need depth at the position if Bosa can't stay on the field. And we will argue that trading Epenesa while trying to win a Super Bowl would be weakening a weakness ... which is not a good plan. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Rookie Landon Jackson Taking 1-Percent Approach At Camp
Rookie mini-camps are happening all over the NFL, and the Buffalo Bills have just started theirs with all draft picks hitting the field and the classroom in preparation for the 2025 season. One such player is edge rusher Landon Jackson, the Bills' third-round pick, who will come to the franchise looking to bolster Buffalo's quarterback-hunting group. Advertisement With the first day of mini-camp done and dusted, which Jackson loved, when asked how he would feel with the proper professionals hitting the field with him soon, Landon was over the moon at the thought. "The end of the day, it's football," Jackson said. "So just come out here, do what I know I can do, not here for no reason. Just come out here with the same mindset every day and that's to get one percent better, so once the vets come around just kind of try picking their brain, getting to know more from them and really do all I can to perfect my craft." Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) celebrates after sacking Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Evan Bullock (7) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.© Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images Thought to be part of the rotation that will be tasked with getting the defense off the field on third down, something the unit struggled with last year, especially in the playoffs, Jackson will have quite the crew to learn from. Advertisement Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, Larry Ogunjobi, and A.J. Epenesa are quite the group Jackson should watch go about their business both on and off the field. It will be a long, hard grind for Jackson and the other rookies as they get acclimated to the rigors of NFL football, but Landon's enthusiasm and willingness to work are contagious, and he will be looking to hit the ground running in his first offseason. Related: Bills Sign Rookie With Maxx Crosby Role Model Goal Related: What Should Bills Do About Edge Rusher Need?
