BEREA, Ohio — Before the Buffalo Bills took the field for a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns, Joe Brady took a step back from his comments earlier in training camp.
Before the Bills left St. John Fisher University, Brady said he hated in-practice fights. Then he proceeded to praise his rookies for being willing to scrap and stand up for themselves during practices.
Brady said again he didn’t want to see any fights with the Browns. And then he added another “but.”
“There’s got to be an accountability and a discipline to what we do,” Brady said. “But I also want the guys to have a mindset and a personality while they’re out there.”
It’s obvious Brady is willing to have players toe the line far more than Sean McDermott did. Brady hasn’t condoned dirty play, but he’s not going to discipline players for a shoving match or reprimand players for chirping.
There were no fights in the practice with the Browns, but the Bills were plenty physical. It was clear from the start the Bills were eager for the practice and it showed on the field. The lone brush with an altercation was between Browns receiver Malachi Corley and safety Sam Franklin Jr. that was broken up without fisticuffs.
Running back Ian Wheeler delivered the biggest hit of the day, lowering his shoulder along the sideline and plowing through Browns linebacker Justin Jefferson for a touchdown. Tight end Jackson Hawes also got into a brief shoving match with cornerback Tre Avery, who was giving up five inches and nearly 70 pounds in the exchange.
It all comes after receiver D.J. Moore invited Carolina Panthers defensive back Nick Scott to hit him in the open field after a catch in Saturday’s preseason opener. Early returns say these Bills are more feisty than in previous years.
“It’s too early to tell,” Hawes told GNN Sports after practice. “We’ve still got to handle our business. But I like the energy we’ve shown so far.”
Dawkins still rolling in 10th season
Dion Dawkins is putting to rest any talk that he’s lost a step. The four-time Pro Bowl left tackle was matched up with Browns standout Jared Verse — the key piece in Myles Garrett’s trade to the Los Angeles Rams — and dominated.
Not only did Dawkins handle Verse in 11-on-11 drills, but he manhandled Verse in one-on-one portions of practice. Twice Dawkins was matched up with Verse in one-on-ones, with Dawkins casually knocking Verse out of the way on the first.
But on the second, Dawkins was able to get his hands on Verse and drive him into the backfield before finishing the block by driving him into the ground and landing on top of him.
Dawkins, who prides himself in blocking edge rushers without help, allowed six sacks last season, which was one fewer than he allowed in three previous seasons combined.
But the 32-year-old looked as if he was back to form Thursday.
Tight ends show up
Hawes had a solid day, catching a pair of touchdown passes from two Allens. He caught a pass from Josh Allen over the middle and lowered his shoulder for a would-be touchdown. Later in practice, Hawes caught one in the back of the end zone from Kyle Allen.
But it was Dalton Kincaid who stole the show late in practice. Kincaid was able to get behind Browns standout safety Grand Delpit and hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen.
“It’s no secret we’re a better offense when he’s on the field for us,” Allen said. “I know he’s been dealing with some things in the past, but I feel like we’re really clicking on the same page right now. He really opens things up. He’s a tough matchup for linebackers and I think he’s a tough matchup for cornerbacks, for that matter.”
Mixed bag for defense
The Bills defense was solid for most of the day, but had moments of leakiness. Deshaun Watson hit rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion, who beat cornerback Dee Alford and safety Damar Hamlin for a long touchdown grab.
Concepcion also had a touchdown off a screen pass during redzone work. Running back Raheim Sanders also rattled off a pair of long runs in the final 11-on-11 portion, but didn’t score on either.
Nickelback Jordan Hancock continued a superb training camp, intercepting Watson in the end zone during a red zone drill.
Injury report
Wide receivers Skyler Bell, Keon Coleman, Dante Pettis and Khalil Shakir did not practice Thursday, nor did safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, running back Ty Johnson, safety Jalon Kilgore, center Connor McGovern and defensive tackle Ed Oliver.