“Woke up this morning, blue skies in Buffalo,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said a few days earlier, before recalling a certain legendary Bills coach. “Where else would you rather be right now, right?”
There haven’t been many moments in 2020 when any of us have been able to think that, let alone say it aloud, given the state of the world these days. But the Bills and the NFL are plowing ahead with the hope that they will be able to make it through a full season and do so safely while taking every precaution against the coronavirus.
Here’s hoping that the NFL has learned the right lessons from the other sports leagues that have opened back up so far. Some, such as the NBA and the NHL, have nailed it. Others — here’s looking at you, baseball! — have showed us what not to do in the face of a dangerous epidemic.
We all could use a diversion right now. We could all use some football. And it just so happens that if we are able to actually make it through a season, this Bills team has the talent to make a legitimate championship run.
Yup, I said it. It’s not a jinx.
The Bills have been trending upward ever since Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane arrived a little over three years ago, and the Bills are approaching the sweet spot in that trajectory. Their window is opening. McDermott recently received a contract extension that locks him up through 2025. Buffalo gave its franchise left tackle, Dion Dawkins, a contract extension through 2024. It seems like only a matter of time until Beane and star cornerback Tre’Davious White get big extensions of their own.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Bills Digest.
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This story is from the September 2020 edition of Bills Digest.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TRACKING TRAINING CAMP
Bills Digest was there for all the big moments at training camp. Here are some observations …
‘We're constantly trying to evolve'
For more on what’s happening within Buffalo’s offense, here are some highlights from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s recent press conferences.
‘On the field you must flip that switch'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
ALLEN GETS HISTORIC DEAL
Bills QB now under contract through 2028
Right back in the swing of things
It’s fair to say that this year’s Bills training camp looks wildly different from those of the past.
1st & Ten with STEFON DIGGS
Stefon Diggs had one of the best seasons ever by a Bills receiver in 2020, and he’s looking for an encore. Diggs was clearly amped up and ready to go as the Bills began their preparations for the new season, leading the huddle and supporting his teammates as they kicked off training camp in Orchard Park. Diggs recently touched on his goals for the upcoming season for both himself and the team in an informative discussion with members of the media. Here are the highlights from that discussion.
RUNNING BACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Aaron Jones, Packers 5-9 • 208 pounds • 27 years old A fifth-round steal in the 2017 draft out of UTEP, Jones is equally proficient in the running and passing games. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards the last two years, and caught 49 and 47 passes, respectively. He’s also a touchdown machine with 30 TDs the last two years (25 rushing and 5 receiving). The son of two career Army officers, he’s a tough, driven player and the kind of guy players want on their team.
THE RIGHT STUFF?
Keeping two important starters is a priority as the right side of the O-line hits free agency
QUARTERBACKS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Dak Prescott, Cowboys 6-2 • 235 pounds • 27 years old A solid starter who has a nice TD-INT ratio over his first five seasons (104-40), Prescott is an accurate thrower and very mobile. However, he’s coming off a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle, so it remains to be seen if this will impact his game moving forward.
TIGHT ENDS: TOP AVAILABLE FREE AGENTS
Hunter Henry, Chargers 6-5 • 250 pounds • 29 years old A very talented player, Henry has had issues staying healthy, unable to complete an NFL season, including missing the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL. But when healthy, he’s a terrific all-around tight end who really connected with Justin Herbert in 2020 with 60 catches. Henry is very good at finding holes in zone coverage.
