By Nick Wojton / billswire.usatoday.com
Corey Coleman is officially a member of the Buffalo Bills after the wide receiver took part in his first practice on the field with the team on Tuesday at St. John Fisher College.
On Sunday evening, Coleman was acquired by the Bills from the Cleveland Browns for a seventh-round draft pick in 2020.
Due to the late trade, Coleman wasn’t able to make the trip from Cleveland in time for an early Monday practice. On Tuesday, he said he was excited to be in Buffalo.
“It’s a new opportunity and a fresh start,” Coleman told reporters following practice on Tuesday. “I’m ready to rock with the Buffalo Bills.”
On his exit from Cleveland, the team that selected him in the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft only to trade him for a seventh-round pick two years later, Coleman was humble toward his former employed. However, he did post a photo on Instragram on Monday saying he has something to prove now.
“A lot of things don’t work out the way you want them to work out. I have much respect for my teammates and I know those guys in the locker room in Cleveland are top-notch guys. They have a great fan base in Cleveland, too,” Coleman said.
On the flip, Coleman was much more positive on being wanted by a team.
‘”It feels good to be wanted but I dont want to let (the Bills) down. They have a trust in me and I really don’t want to let them down and make them right. I’m going to come in here and work my tail off and help some of the younger guys out, too,” Coleman said.
At this point, Coleman is only getting up to speed with his new club. Coleman acknowledged that when asked about Buffalo’s offense playbook created by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. When asked if Coleman would play on Thursday against the Carolina Panthers in Buffalo’s preseason opener, head coach Sean McDermott responded: “We’ll see.”
Eventually Coleman will play. General manager Brandon Beane did not commit to Coleman being a starter for the Bills. He didn’t even commit to giving Coleman a roster spot. Everything must be earned, Beane said.
The message was likely for Coleman himself and some of his new teammates who’ve competed for roster spots in the wide receiver room since the spring. The battle will continue and hopefully bring the best out in everyone.
Veteran wideout Jeremy Kerley said to the Buffalo News that he’s not overly concerned about Coleman’s addition.
“Those kinds of things take care of themselves. If I just come in here and be consistent then I give myself an opportunity to be where I want to be. That’s all that I try to do,” Kerley said.
In comparison to Brandon Reilly and Kaelin Clay, Kerley, an eight-year veteran, has a much better look at a roster spot. Reilly and Clay are both players on the “bubble.”
“It’s a pressure situation every day out here. It’s pretty cutthroat, but that’s what we signed up for. Competition brings out the best in me, I feel. I’m looking forward to it,” Reilly said to the BN.
“We welcome him with open arms,” Clay added. “I hope he’s ready to compete.”
Of his new teammates, Coleman is familiar with at least one, safety Jordan Poyer. The two were teammates in Cleveland, and Poyer’s welcoming him with open arms.
“I’m sure he’s excited for a new opportunity. The same thing happened to me. I was excited for a new opportunity and to come to a new organization and show what I can do,” Poyer said to WROC-TV. “We’re excited to have another playmaker and I can’t wait to see him.”
On Wednesday the Bills will have a walk-through practice only as the team preps for the Panthers on Thursday. In order to play, Coleman will likely need to eat, breath and sleep everything on the offensive scheme by 7 pm Thursday night.