Bills No. 1 Camp Question: What's 'Different' Josh Allen Look Like?
The Buffalo Bills will officially kick off their training camp this week as veterans will report to Rochester's St. John Fisher University on Tuesday before the first practice is held the following day.
During these practices, members of Bills Mafia will have multiple opportunities to get their first look at this season's Bills team. They - and we - will undoubtedly want to keep a watchful eye on the continued development of quarterback Josh Allen. While not much has changed for No. 17 other than maybe a new girlfriend in starlet Hailee Steinfeld, since the beginning of OTAs this spring, there has been chatter about him presenting a new demeanor.
"I've seen a different Josh this offseason, not that it was bad before, but he's got a new sense of focus, I would say, and determination - which is good," McDermott said recently.
So what's "different" about this version of Allen, who is already-perennial MVP candidate? Improvements in the decision-making department? On the play-making side? Ball protection. Maybe all of it, as McDermott said Allen is taking his game to "another level."
Allen's biggest flaw is aggression to a fault. That aggressiveness at times hurts him and the Bills in the passing game as he forces some throws that he otherwise shouldn't. Additionally, even when he tucks the ball to run, coaches and fans alike have to hold their breath when Allen decides to stay on his feet and take a hit rather than going down or getting out of bounds.
All in all, though, the thought of an improved Allen should be a scary one for the rest of the NFL, as he led a Bills offense last season that, despite falling short of the postseason goals, finished third in points per game (27.7), second in yards per game (394.9), and per play (6.1).
While the open practices with camp won't be the tell-all of Allen's improvements, they will provide a peek into what he has been doing behind the scenes this offseason. ... which can provide a forecast for where Buffalo is going in 2023.
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