Zimmer, 28, was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster prior to Buffalo’s Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs and provided an instant boost, nearly changing the outcome of the game with an apparent forced fumble (that was later overturned via replay). Pro Football Focus considered Zimmer to be Buffalo’s highest-rated interior defensive lineman in that game, and he was active once again the following week against the New York Jets. Here’s a look at what Zimmer recently had to say about his journey and what he’s continuing to work on in order to make his stay in Buffalo a permanent one.
1 You’re a guy that’s been up and around NFL rosters for a while now ... I’m sure you know what every type of possible transaction means. What is it like for a guy like that’s been on the fringes of an NFL roster for so many years? What kind of life has that been like for you?
A: It’s an interesting life for sure. I’ve moved countless times, honestly. It’s good and it’s bad because I’ve been able to experience a lot of different cities across the country and stuff like that, so that’s cool. But in terms of just having to get up and move my life pretty often, that’s not very fun. My wife hates it too, she has to move our stuff most of the time because a lot of the times, as you know, they call you and have to be there within a day or two. So I’m out right away and she’s left to pack up all of the house, and that sucks for her. It’s kind of just always being ready and being willing to move around and do what it takes to try and make good money here. There’s not many other things you can do to make this much money so I guess moving around is a side effect of that that I have to deal with.
2 Do you kind of laugh when you hear people talk about the life of an NFL player? I’m sure people assume that you live some glamorous lifestyle that’s a lifestyle of the rich and famous kind of thing.
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‘Josh is just a really good leader for us'
For more on what’s happening within Buffalo’s offense, here are some highlights from offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s recent press conferences.
‘Poyer is a vital part of our success'
For more on what’s happening with Buffalo’s defense, here are some highlights from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s recent press conferences.
1st &Ten
Tre’Davious White is a cornerstone of the Bills defense and the fourth-year pro has only gotten better as the year has gone on. Armed with a new four-year, $70 million contract extension, White is stepping up once again as he eyes bigger and better things for the Bills this postseason. With the playoffs just around the corner, here’s a look at what one of Buffalo’s top defenders has had to say in recent weeks.
‘Awards come with success, winning'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
These Bills could just go all the way
Sean McDermott’s weekly press conferences aren’t known for bursts of stand-up comedy — which is a good thing, we all remember Rex Ryan — but there are still some moments of levity here and there. With the Bills racking up win after win against top opponents, it’s become a running gag for McDermott to be asked if Buffalo’s latest win was a “statement win” in his book.
'BILLDING' IT RIGHT
Sean McDermott had been on the job as head coach of the Buffalo Bills for about a week. In those early January days in 2017, he would look out his office window across the parking lot at Bills Stadium and envision home playoff games. How it would look, sound and feel.
What Bills Fans Are Saying
Bills Digest scanned the Bills’ Facebook site to gauge the hot topics fans are talking about. We chose some of the better posts, edited for brevity and clarity, and present them here, along with Bills Digest editor Mark Ludwiczak’s take on what’s being discussed.
Suddenly, the possibilities seem endless
After Josh Allen sprinted into the end zone for the second time, Vic Fangio had his made-for-TV moment.
‘Playing more aggressive, attacking'
For more on what’s happening with Buffalo’s defense, here are some highlights from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s recent press conferences.
‘It's a blessing to have this work out'
Here are some highlights from head coach Sean McDermott’s recent press conferences.
LOOKING BACK…
It was a season to remember. It was a season to forget. Either way, you look at it, it was the strangest of seasons for San Francisco that you will ever see. Looking back at the year that was to illustrate that point, The Niner Report has assembled the best, worst and most unconventional of the 49ers’ 2020 season.
TO BE DETERMINED…
49ers enter offseason with options at QB
TOP 8 Worst encore seasons
There have been plenty of tough acts to follow in the history of the 49ers franchise with a team that has five Super Bowl championships, seven Super Bowl visits, 16 trips to the NFC Championship game, and 27 playoff appearances. That kind of success has seen the 49ers enter many seasons over the years looking to take the next step to greatness or simply maintain it. That makes them fall and crash even worse when San Francisco failed to achieve those goals coming off triumphant seasons. The 2020 49ers know all about it, which lands them a place on this list of the worst encore seasons in franchise history.
SEASON IN REVIEW
Did somebody say Super Bowl hangover?
ROOKIE REVIEW
After building the 49ers into NFC champions with young talent during their first three years together — when San Francisco had a total of 40 rookies see action from 2017-2019 — the team’s leadership tandem of general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan found themselves with considerably less draft capital at their disposal in the fourth year of their partnership.
GOOD MOVE OR BAD MOVE?
Revisiting 49ers’ 2020 personnel decisions
Letterfly - The Iconic Artist
MOTORCYCLES AND ONE SIGHT STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS
‘I've shown a glimpse of what I can do'
QUESTION SESSION WITH WR DENZEL MIMS
JC Deep Dive: Coaching candidates from college
On Nov. 27, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer caught the attention of Jets fans when he mentioned Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as a possible candidate for Gang Green, if they make a coaching change.
Shoots from the hip
SEASON OF SAVINGS