Olean Times Herald

‘That’s a lot of damage caused by a defense that was getting after the passer with only three or four rushers.’

‘When it was over on a mild, but windy and overcast afternoon, the Steelers had administered Buffalo a bitter dose of reality.’

‘But Pittsburgh’s defense, in particular, fifth-year linebacker T.J. Watt, emphatically proved that confidence to be misplaced. To wit, Watt couldn’t be blocked. He sacked Allen three times and delivered five of the eight hits on the fourth-year QB.’

‘In short, Buffalo effectively returns 21 of 22 starters and the only other change was on special teams where punter Corey Bojorquez overestimated his value as a free agent and the Bills let him leave and replaced him with former Dolphin Matt Haack.’

‘Not much to say, there are only two on roster: youngsters Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney. The Bills seem determined to prove they didn’t make a mistake in taking Knox in 2019’s third round. He’s damned by that fateful ‘P’ word, “potential,” which means nothing more than, “You haven’t done a thing yet.” His most defining statistic is 14 drops in 27 games.’

‘“To get offered the home-opener in the 2021 season with hype surrounding the Bills; the first time the fans are in the stands (in two years) …” said Blue, born and raised in Portville. “Not only is it the home-opener, but it’s opening week. It’s just the whole thing is way too big for me not to have been absolutely ecstatic to accept.”‘

‘For whatever reason, Buffalo remains enamored with the University of Mississippi tight end who never caught a touchdown pass in college. Maybe it’s because the Bills frittered away a third-round draft pick on him in 2019 and don’t want to admit they erred with such a premium selection.’

‘And, in case you were wondering, the Bills aren’t going to go without a long-snapper or third tight end. The waivers of Ferguson and Hollister, because of their experience, can be rescinded, which is what Buffalo did last year with wide receiver/kick returner Andre Roberts, before reclaiming him.’

‘In short, the impressive performance put on by the Bills’ offense, particularly quarterback Josh Allen, was accomplished against the Packers’ second- and third-string.’

‘Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo’s offensive Swiss Army Knife, caught a game-high seven passes for 72 yards and returned three punts for 51, including a 35-yarder, but he fumbled on one and the Bills were fortunate to recover. And, lest he become complacent as a returner, rookie sixth-round draft choice Marquez Stevenson went 79 yards for a TD bringing back a punt, meaning McKenzie might not be a lock for the kick returning job.’

‘To be sure, Allen’s new contract is pricey, but Beane helped construct one that was salary cap-friendly with the bigger hit coming starting in 2023 when the new TV contracts kick in with the NFL receiving more than $110 billion over the next decade and the cap increasing accordingly.’

‘“You’ve got to have enough self-awareness to manage yourself. If getting notice was the goal (last season), then maybe we accomplished that. But if winning (it all) and the goals we had set up, we didn’t accomplish that last year. This is a new season, a new team, and as I’ve said countless times, we’ve got to respect the process and remain humble and hungry because if you don’t, this league gets you and it gets on you fast.”’

‘Fans are excited about Buffalo’s season prospects but also worried about how deep the intrasquad schism might be regarding vaccination for coronavirus. On the anti-vaxxer side is wide receiver Cole Beasley, one of the NFL’s most outspoken critics and, to a lesser extent, guard Jon Feliciano. The pro vaccine crew is led by All-Pro wideout Stefon Diggs and defensive end Jerry Hughes. In between is the most popular Bill, quarterback Josh Allen, runner-up in league MVP voting last season, whose wishy-washy “more research” stance leads most to believe he hasn’t been vaccinated. Of course, that negates his ability to convince others to get the shot.’

‘From the start of camp, coach Sean McDermott has set 17 practices with the schedule from Aug. 24 through the final cutdown date (Aug. 31) to be announced.’

‘The Bills were peripherally a part of an impactful 1962 draft. That year, the NFL’s Washington Redskins had the No. 1 overall pick and chose Ernie Davis, the All-American running back from Syracuse, whom Buffalo selected with the fourth pick in the AFL’s first round. He was a player coveted by Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell, so George Preston Marshall, who owned the Redskins, an all-white team, and feared he’d lose the Heisman Trophy winner to the Bills, offered a deal. Washington would send the rights for Davis to the Browns for running back/wide receiver Bobby Mitchell and Cleveland’s ’62 first-round pick, halfback Leroy Jackson.’