Last week’s “role” meeting in the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line room confirmed what right guard Ryan Bates had been forecasting since the Aug. 19 preseason game at Pittsburgh: He is now a backup to rookie O’Cyrus Torrence.
Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer announced the decision to the group and head coach Sean McDermott confirmed it publicly before Wednesday’s practice, the first leading into Monday night’s season opener at the New York Jets.
Torrence started the preseason opener against Indianapolis on Aug. 12. Bates was hopeful of starting against the Steelers to stay in the competition. But that didn’t happen and Bates knew.
“I think that’s when they knew,” Bates told The Buffalo News. “I was taking more center reps than (right) guard reps that week going into the game.”
McDermott also announced second-year middle linebacker Terrel Bernard and second-year cornerback Christian Benford had won their respective competitions to start.
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Bates started 15 games last year. His reaction to losing his starting spot?
“I came here to compete, I came here to play and it’s not in the cards right now,” he said.
Bates is in the second season of a four-year, $17 million contract. Does he want to stay with the Bills?
“Absolutely, 1,000%,” he said. “I don’t want to be anywhere else. I love the people here – the coaches, the building, the atmosphere, the front office and just the energy (McDermott) brings and the atmosphere he creates.”
Bates believes Torrence, the Bills’ second-round pick, is going to “ball out.”
Torrence said winning the job, “means a lot and it shows me they’ve noticed the work and grind I’ve put in and the attention to detail I’ve shown. I feel appreciated because I did give it my all and they told me up front that if I put in the work, I would have a good chance at starting.”
Benford over Jackson, Elam
Benford has been here before, which explains why the Bills’ second-year cornerback showed his best poker face when asked what the moment was like when the coaching staff told him he would start against the Jets.
“Shoot, I take it with a grain of salt, never get too high, never get too low, never get complacent,” Benford said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing, regardless of the title. Starting, second string, it don’t really matter.”
Benford was a surprise starter in the season opener last year. This year, he had to beat out both Kaiir Elam, a 2022 first-round pick, and veteran Dane Jackson for the job opposite Tre’Davious White.
“It’s a different transition compared to last year due to the fact that I had some reps (last year) on Sundays and Mondays,” Benford said. “It’s a different mindset now. I’m more of a developed player, more mature on the field and off the field, so it’s definitely a different type of transition.”
Benford said the biggest change from his rookie year has been his mental development. He credited more talks with McDermott, defensive backs coach John Butler and receiver Stefon Diggs for getting a better idea of what opposing offenses are trying to do.
Jackson will begin the Jets game on the sideline after starting 14 of his 15 appearances last year.
“Stuff happens – ups and downs – and you have to stay positive; that’s the name of the game,” Jackson told The News. “I’m here to help in any way I can at this point. I’m here to support and push up the guys in front of me and wait on my opportunity.”
Bernard a ‘playmaker’
Bernard did not appear in a preseason game after injuring his hamstring in practice on Aug. 10. But he feels confident taking the field Monday night, in part because of the experience of those around him.
“It helps a lot,” Bernard said. “Just the confidence of having all those guys out there. You got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football – a lot of really good football. So, having those guys have my back, I’m communicating with them, and they’re communicating with me, so it makes my job easier.”
Bernard, who started one game as a rookie and played in 16, won the job over fourth-year linebacker Tyrel Dodson.
“We thought (Bernard) did some good things when he was healthy and available,” McDermott said. “We’re confident in TB and I’m excited to watch him play.”
Though Bernard did not play in the preseason, he has earned the trust of his teammates, particularly fellow linebacker Matt Milano.
“Very smart, very instinctual, knows the game well,” Milano told The News. “(Bernard is a) playmaker, so excited to see what he brings Monday night.”
Miller on sitting out
Bills defensive end Von Miller, who will miss at least the first four games (right ACL), said he was “cleared and ready for contact,” on Aug. 27, but he was placed on the physically unable to perform list two days later.
“There are still a whole list of things you have to do to get to (wearing) pads and helmets and running around and doing 1-on-1 pass-rush (drills),” Miller said. “The knee was ready to go, but there wasn’t enough time to get ready to play football in the NFL. Ultimately, it wasn’t my decision (to go to PUP).”
Miller understood the Bills’ decision to keep him out.
“Of course, I wanted to play – I’m a football player,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs and have success deep into the playoffs and ultimately winning a Super Bowl.”
Miller is eligible to play in the Week 5 game against Jacksonville in London. Is that realistic?
“It’s a little early for that (kind of projection),” he said.
Quick kicks
Before practice, McDermott said safety Micah Hyde (back) would not participate, but he was going through individual drills during the media viewing period. The Bills aren’t required to issue an official injury report until Thursday so it is unclear if Hyde was a full participant or did limited work. … Both of the Bills’ “Monday Night Football” appearances this year – Monday at the Jets and Nov. 13 against Denver – will have the “ManningCast” simulcast on ESPN2 featuring former quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.
