PITTSFORD, N.Y. (WIVB) -- There were some notable visitors on the sideline and a remarkable greeting on the field Friday at St. John Fisher University. Here are four takeaways from the Buffalo Bills' third preseason practice.
Bills co-owner Kim Pegula has watched each of the first three practices from an SUV parked just beyond the end zone. On Frriday, she took some big steps in her recovery from a debilitating cardiac episode Friday.
With her husband and ownership partner Terry holding her hand, Kim Pegula walked onto the field to break down the team huddle after practice. She was first welcomed by a wide-smiling coach Sean McDermott, and later received a heart-warming hug from Damar Hamlin.
“It just shows that you never know how life goes but you got to just keep fighting. And we’re proud of her. That’s still the mama bear and we’re happy to have her” Bills lineman Dion Dawkins told WROC-TV. “It means the world to me. I’ve been here for eight years, and I’m pretty sure it means just as much to these young guys that are seeing their family all in one place.”
This marked the first time Pegula was seen publicly walking on her own since going into cardiac arrest in June 2022, shortly after celebrating her 53rd birthday.
McDermott has welcomed visiting coaches from a variety of sports over the years, and he usually makes time to compare notes on best practices. Retired Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim attended camp last summer, as did Jack Armstrong, the former Niagara coach now broadcasting for the Toronto Raptors. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff came by minicamp in June.
Friday's practice guests were Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson and St. Bonaventure men's basketball coach Mark Schmidt.
Sanderson said he and McDermott have formed a relationship and exchanged messages a number of times over the years. And he got to chat with another Olympic gold medalist at Friday's practice, Bills defensive line hopeful Gable Steveson.
Schmidt's stated fandom for the New England Patriots did not affect his sideline access.
Dawuane Smoot received little fanfare when he signed a one-year deal with the Bills in May. But he's gotten ample practice snaps with the starting defense, establishing his presence in edge rusher rotation with returning players Greg Rousseau, Von Miller and AJ Epenesa. Smoot also got some action on the interior line on Friday.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich described the 29-year-old Smoot as an "incredible" and "professional" addition to front seven. "He brings an edge to the game of football," Babich said. "For lack of a better term, he’s got that old-school edge."
Josh Allen looked sharp early on during seven-on-seven drills, including a touchdown pass to rookie Keon Coleman over coverage from top cornerback Rasul Douglas. ... Toward the end of practice, however, Allen had passes intercepted by Taylor Rapp, Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam in a span of four plays. ... Rookie safety Cole Bishop got an extended look with the starting defense. ... The Bills remained relatively injury-free. Allen had his ankle re-taped at one point. All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano practiced for the third day in a row, but showed some signs of discomfort during individual drills.
The Bills are off Saturday before returning to Fisher for three consecutive practice days.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
