Shaq Lawson got off to a late start to his rookie season but his doing his best to make up for lost time. Buffalo’s firstround pick took to the field for the first time in Week 7 and had two sacks in his first three games as a Bill. Bills Digest recently caught up with the talented pass rusher for his thoughts on missing the first half of the season due to his shoulder injury and his return in recent weeks.
1 How have you felt since coming back to the field? It seems like you’ve been acclimating pretty well out there after returning from your shoulder injury.
A: Coming back, I feel great. I’m getting back up there. I feel like every week I’m just continuing to get better, getting more involved in the defense and things like that. These first couple weeks have been not a learning process but just getting back on the field and playing again.
2 How antsy were you to get back?
A: I was so antsy, man. I was just ready to go out there. I’ve been sitting out and seeing all these other rookies ball. That was really what made me so antsy about getting back out there, seeing those guys making plays. That’s what made me get out there with these guys and help these guys get to the playoffs.
3 Now that you’ve been out there a couple weeks, what’s been the biggest adjustment in going from college to the pros?
A: The difference is guys are much smarter in the league. Faster, bigger. At the end of the day, it’s still football. Once you pick those things up, it’s just like you’ve been playing football your whole life.
4 How frustrating was your whole injury situation? You come to Buffalo as a high draft pick and right away they decide to have you undergo shoulder surgery, and that made you miss all of training camp and the first half of the season.
This story is from the December 04,2016 edition of Bills Digest.
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This story is from the December 04,2016 edition of Bills Digest.
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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.
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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.
