The Buffalo Bills are kicking off Phase 3 of voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) before their mandatory minicamp in the middle of June. The Bills are able to hold 10 practices over the next three weeks and while there is no live contact, teams are able to run 7-on-7, 9-on-9, and 11-on-11 drills.
This is going to be the first chance for the coaching staff to have the entire roster together and start to work with new players, either from free agency or in the NFL Draft. It is also a time to begin to really implement the groundwork for some changes for the upcoming season.
Over these next three weeks, these should be the three key areas of focus that will allow them to really hit the ground running at training camp at the end of July at St. John Fisher College.
3 areas of focus for the Buffalo Bills during OTAs
How does Sean McDermott balance the responsibilities of defensive coordinator and head coach
One of the most significant changes this offseason was the departure of Leslie Frazier, who stepped away for the upcoming season after being the defensive coordinator for the past six seasons. The Bills elected not to replace him directly and Sean McDermott has taken on those responsibilities as play-caller for the upcoming season.
It isn't uncommon for head coaches to also handle the play-calling for one side of the ball or the other, but this will be the first time in McDermott's career as head coach that he will need to handle both. He has extensive experience calling plays after a number of years as a defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers prior to joining the Bills.
Aside from the change in gameday responsibilities, McDermott will have to shift more of his focus to defense during practices. This will be a good chance to establish how he manages this and what that might look like.