Buffalo Payments’ rookie CBs cross first take a look at with out Tre’Davious White, however can they stick with it? – Buffalo Payments Weblog

Easing into the season wasn’t an possibility for the Buffalo Bills.

They have been tasked with opening the season over 2,500 miles away in opposition to the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and discovering a option to cease coach Sean McVay’s high-powered offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and huge receiver Cooper Kupp. All that with out the Payments’ prime cornerback in All-Professional Tre’Davious White.

White is on the reserve/PUP checklist as he continues to rehab a torn ACL in his left knee. The nook who began reverse White final season, Levi Wallace, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. So the 2 exterior cornerback positions got here right down to 2020 seventh-rounder Dane Jackson, who has led all offseason with White out, and rookies Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam.

The younger corners began on a very good be aware collectively within the 31-10 win, together with holding the Rams scoreless within the second half and intercepting Stafford thrice. There have been no apparent missed performs or important rookie errors. And it was Benford, the 2022 sixth-rounder, who acquired the beginning on the surface reverse Jackson — not Elam, the Payments’ first-round choose whom they traded two picks to amass.

“Each gamers performed properly, performed good stable soccer of their first outing, and I believe it ought to give each of them confidence,” coach Sean McDermott stated. “But in addition on the identical time, we transfer ahead with that competitors, and so they’re each making an attempt to make one another higher all of the whereas.”

The protection restricted the Rams’ receivers apart from Kupp — who had 13 catches for 128 yards and accounted for over half of the Rams’ receiving yardage — to 16 receptions for 112 receptions and two interceptions when focused. Large receiver Allen Robinson was focused twice on 45 routes, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. The 4.4% goal fee was the bottom of his profession.

Nickel Taron Johnson performed the second-most snaps among the many corners with 50.

Benford had virtually equal taking part in time to Elam, who completed with 30 defensive snaps (45%) to Benford’s 38 (58%). They have been each on the sphere for the final two snaps with out Jackson. The Payments began off the sport rotating by giving every participant two defensive collection at a time.

“I believed [the rookies] had a hell of a recreation,” security Jordan Poyer stated. “It is in all probability onerous getting in some kind of rhythm [when rotating], however they have been in a position to deal with it. They did not blink. I belief these guys.”

After the sport, Benford stated he came upon he was beginning after Tuesday’s last follow. He additionally gave credit score to the assist he acquired from Poyer and security Micah Hyde earlier than and through the recreation.

“[The safeties] frequently helped me all through the entire recreation,” Benford stated. “They have been there by my aspect, each play, they checked out me, they dapped me up and so they have been like, ‘Let’s go.’ And it was type of contagious.”

The Payments will probably be with out White for no less than three extra video games. He was injured final Thanksgiving. It could possibly be longer as common supervisor Brandon Beane stated they wish to give White greater than only one week of follow to prepare. Buffalo’s bye is Week 7, which may imply he returns after that.

Going ahead, McDermott stated the workforce would monitor the competitors on a week-to-week foundation and proceed to judge how Benford and Elam play along with accounting for the matchups the workforce is going through. The Payments subsequent face the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football in Week 2.

“[White going on PUP] type of like gave you some course,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier stated. “It made you slim your focus a bit bit, which is, I believe, a plus within the circumstances, as a result of in any other case for an extended time period, you are questioning, is he going to be again this week? Is he going to be again in a few days? And you’ve got these contingency plans. However as soon as that call was made, it actually drew some conclusions.”