Bills GM Brandon Beane gives crucial update on CB2, MLB and Von Miller
Brandon Beane joined in on the fun to talk all things football after the Buffalo Bills' first day of camp concluded, in Rochester NY. The Bills general manager answered some important questions on the return of Von Miller, the battle for CB2, the middle linebacker position along with Sean MceDermott's upcoming season. It appears, from […]
Brandon Beane joined in on the fun to talk all things football after the Buffalo Bills' first day of camp concluded, in Rochester NY.
The Bills general manager answered some important questions on the return of Von Miller, the battle for CB2, the middle linebacker position along with Sean MceDermott's upcoming season.
It appears, from Beane's press conference, that the team is looking onward and upward and that the controversy surrounding Diggs has concluded. Beane provided an inside look at the organization and what's been happening behind the scenes with all things Buffalo Bills.
Speaking on Sean McDermott and what he's going to be doing differently now that he'll be calling plays, Beane had some fun with the media.
"He's gotta take two hats to practice. He's got one without the headset and one with the headset. He's going to have to have his own hat guy for game day." Beane called back his days to Carolina, continuing, "I think Sean's excited, like anything it's how he got the job. He was such a good play caller for us in Carlonia and was a big part of our success and had a lot of defensive success there."
The Bills general manager opened up on one of the biggest camp battles, CB2. Specifically, he discussed what makes 2nd-year players Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam so special and why it's going to be a battle to watch.
On Benford getting healthy, "Christian is just that guy you don't hear about it. Might be the quietest guy in our building. He just shows up, he works, and you don't even know he's working. The game comes really easy to him from a natural standpoint… naturally falls in place for certain players."
Talking about Elam and his ability to come in and compete, and why he may not be in the CB2 position over Dane Jackson or Benford. Beane was direct, "Kaiir, like I said earlier, is still a young player. He's still learning, he's still growing, this is a total different system than he played in. Christian probably played in more similar scheme than what we're playing. Kaiir is a very talented player, he's a hard worker, he is still working his way.
Talking about the difficult transition to the NFL and Kaiir's trajectory, "It's year two, we've seen many players in this league, maybe they didn't thrive year one but he's still an ascending guy, he's competing. You know us, we don't just had a spot out because of what we paid you or where we drafted you. He has every chance to come out and win a starting job and we're going to support it."
Continuing his busy press conference, Brandon Beane didn't shut down Von Miller returning by week one, providing an unprecedented update on the superstar pass rusher.
"He's in a great head space, he's torn an ACL before. He's a genetic freak to be honest with you. I can't give you a day or anything like that."
Beane elaborated further, giving the media another look at what's happening in Miller's rehabilitation and path to return.
"He's doing great, he's hitting all his markers, to this point there have been no setbacks."
When asked if Miller could be cleared before week one, Beane gave a now-viral response.
"I don't know either way yet. We haven't decided." He continued, "No determination yet whether they would be off of PUP by week one."
At this point of the year, and with the front office taking a more calculated approach, it's more on what he didn't say than what he did say. The front office is careful with injuries and with Beane not outright saying no gives the team a huge boost in regards to Miller's recovery and eventual return.
Continuing on to the middle linebacker position, Beane was careful with his words. Previously, Beane was in hot water after the draft with what he had said about Bills rookie Dorian Williams. The middle linebacker position is a huge question mark coming into this season and Beane was sure to shed some light on their decision.
"Got a lot of young guys at the Mike linebacker position. Same thing as the corners, we're going to try and give these guys all a chance."
Specifically, on Dorian Williams, "He's done a good job so far. He's a rookie, he's a young guy, he's still learning." Beane continued, talking about the steep learning curve from the NCAA to the NFL, "A lot to learn, still picking up the offense, things are still being installed for him."
Sharing the sentiment all fans can get behind, Beane can't wait to see what Williams can do, "Excited about who he is and how hard he's working. Every day he'll continue to work to get better and so we'll just kind of see where it goes with him."
With day one in the books, there were plenty of storylines touched on. Plenty of important battles and decisions that need to be made.
Football is back.
Stefon Diggs opens up to the media for the first time since last season’s playoff loss
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Featured image via Twitter @BuffaloBills