With Watkins gone, young core must produce on offense
It would be an understatement to say it’s been a unique start to the season for Buffalo’s group of wide receivers, led by receivers coach Phil McGeoghan. The Bills traded top receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams in August and veteran addition Anquan Boldin retired abruptly weeks later. Newcomer Jordan Matthews has taken over as Buffalo’s top receiving option on short notice after coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles in a separate trade. Bills Digest recently caught up with McGeoghan to get his thoughts on the state of the Bills at wide receiver and what he expects moving forward from his group of young playmakers.
Bills Digest: It hasn’t exactly been the most traditional year as far as your group of players goes with some of the comings and goings and injuries. Now that we’re one month into the season, how would you say things have settled down?
Phil McGeoghan: We’re focused on the process as a group. We’re just excited about coming in everyday and working on our fundamentals and our techniques. The guys are really starting to form a nice, tight bond. That position room is a very close-knit group. It’s a workman’s group; they really work very hard at their craft. They have a mindset to improve everyday. They want to learn; they are students of the game. They study tape and do the extras. So we’re just focused on the process and doing a really good job of working and trying to improve every single day.
BD: Not to go back too far and rehash everything that went on in the preseason, but it seemed as if the team responded about as well as you could hope once the Sammy Watkins trade went down. After the initial shock, it seemed as if everyone’s heads were in the right place. Did you sense that after the trade?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 22, 2017; Vol. 14, No. 8-Ausgabe von Bills Digest.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 22, 2017; Vol. 14, No. 8-Ausgabe von 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.
‘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.