Cole Bishop Interview - Stayed In Buffalo Whole Offseason Working Out With Rapp

[PoundingDog]

I don't know if he's going to work out for us but he sounded much much more confident. Good kid - probably felt very disappointed last year and turned it into motivation. 

 

The idea to spent most of the time working out with Rapp is really nice. And I would not doubt that is one of the reasons McDermott put him on first team without any competition. It reminds me the story of Polamalu in Pittsburgh who had an un-inspiring rookie season after the Steelers traded up in the first round for the very first time to get him (27th overall, a 3rd and a 6th to move up to 16th overall to get him in the 2003 draft). Side story, Doug Whaley was tasked to call teams and he recalled people didn't believe the Steelers would move up in the 1st round. And then Polamalu proceeded to not starting a single game for the Steelers in his rookie season. Polamalu subsequently stayed in Pittsburgh for the most part of the off season, and attched himself to Cowher as reporters noted in OTAs, camps, etc. Since then the NFL rules have changed and coaches are not allowed to advise players much in the off-season. But I'm sure the Bills coaches were aware of what Bishop was doing in Buffalo.

 

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

This is a good thing, I believe. 

 

While I'm not a fan of Rapp on the field I do give him credit for being a good leader. Smart in knowing the defense. Spending time with him sitting under Rapp's learning tree can only be a positive. 

 

I think it speaks to Bishop's character as well. He knows his play disappointed. But rather than take the off season and go back home, visit friends and family or head in vacation...he stuck in town to get better at his craft. Guys like that, with that internal self drivin motivation to improve tend to go far. I think we will see marked improvement in him in year two. I'll be rooting for the kid!

[TBBills Fan]

Thank you!  If we get anything close to TP, I would be exctatic.  He's young so we don't know yet, 

[SectionC3]

This is great news if he worked out with Rapp.  I've bumped into Rapp a couple of times over the offseason, and he is HUGE.  Living in OP you tend to run into the guys in civilian life a little bit.  Some of them are sort of lean, Euro-type athletes (Hyde and Epenesa come to mind).  Some are shredded (Dorian Williams, for instance).  And some are both shredded and huge (Rapp).  That guy put in the work this offseason.  

[Special K]

The Bills roster seems to be filled with guys who are willing to put in the work to be the best they can be.......obviously this starts with McBeane brining in guys with that type of mentality.

 

Good to hear Bishop is putting in the work, and I expect to see that work translate to the field this season with a big jump in production.

 

Now he needs to put in the work to find a better barber....that haircut doesn't scream intimidating hard hitting Safety.....he may have gone to the same Barber as this kid:

 

[K-9]

9 hours ago, TBBills Fan said:

Thank you!  If we get anything close to TP, I would be exctatic.  He's young so we don't know yet, 

Agree entirely. Troy was one of those once in a generation players who redefined a position so anything close to that means greatness. 

[BillsPride12]

I'm rooting for this kid.  Good safety play is critical for a McDermott Defense

[Mat68]

Bishop’s athletic ability is key to improving 3rd down defense.  Last season the Bills coverage was the most basic I can remember them playing.

[WotAGuy]

Speaks well of Rapp also. 

[BuffaloBill]

8 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Bishop’s athletic ability is key to improving 3rd down defense.  Last season the Bills coverage was the most basic I can remember them playing.

This plus once Hairston is ready to step up will improve the overall athleticism of the back end.

[TBBills Fan]

2 hours ago, K-9 said:

Agree entirely. Troy was one of those once in a generation players who redefined a position so anything close to that means greatness. 

With consideration for wall of fame.  Or whatever they have at the new stadium

[Clyde Smith]

13 hours ago, Special K said:

The Bills roster seems to be filled with guys who are willing to put in the work to be the best they can be.......obviously this starts with McBeane brining in guys with that type of mentality.

 

Good to hear Bishop is putting in the work, and I expect to see that work translate to the field this season with a big jump in production.

 

Now he needs to put in the work to find a better barber....that haircut doesn't scream intimidating hard hitting Safety.....he may have gone to the same Barber as this kid:

 

For some odd reason. That little boy's head and hairline reminds me of Coy Wire.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

Wait a minute...

 

Cole Bishop is white ???

[JP51]

3 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

Speaks well of Rapp also. 

The essence of our safety place was not Poyer and Hyde individually but in tandem... So absolutely Rapp and Bishop building that rapport is very important. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Working out with rapp looks something like this:

 

[BillsPride12]

35 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

Wait a minute...

 

Cole Bishop is white ???

Did you miss that thread someone started over the Summer where he didn't think Bishop was going to be a good safety because he didn't look intimidating enough?

[Sierra Foothills]

50 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

Wait a minute...

 

Cole Bishop is white ???

 

While he was in Buffalo during the offseason he had ethnic modification surgery and also, a splenectomy.

 

14 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Working out with rapp looks something like this:

 

 

That's similar to McDermott's workout.

 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

18 minutes ago, BillsPride12 said:

Did you miss that thread someone started over the Summer where he didn't think Bishop was going to be a good safety because he didn't look intimidating enough?

No I dont think I saw that thread.

 

But now that you mention it I have the same concern....

[BillsPride12]

34 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

No I dont think I saw that thread.

 

But now that you mention it I have the same concern....

It was a TBD all-timer!

[Matt_In_NH]

I have never waivered in my belief he will work out.  I think he has the brains to do what McDermott and Babbich want and he has better athletic ability than our other safeties.  I am very optimistic the safety play will improve this year.