The Process > The Drought
Has it sunk in yet? I mean, has it really, truly sunk in yet?
The drought is over. Finished. Dead. Expired.
And even though Buffalo’s first trip to the postseason since 1999 ended with a loss in the wild-card playoff, the conversation surrounding the Bills moving forward has changed entirely. For that, we can all be thankful.
Awfully, awfully thankful.
“Looking back and reflecting, ending the drought feels great,” center Eric Wood said. “I’m just so glad I won’t have to answer: ‘So what’s different this year? How are we going to end the drought this year?’ Now, we have a foundation to build on. Let’s keep improving.”
There will be a whole lot of change in the coming weeks and months not just in Buffalo but around the entire NFL. That’s the nature of the league — it never takes a break. But the Bills can hold their heads high knowing that they have a strong, new foundation under Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane. And they established that foundation in what should be considered record time given the circumstances.
The duo took charge of a Bills team that had severely underperformed in recent seasons and was expected to continue trending downward. Preseason questions included the dreaded “T” word — tanking — which only grew louder following the surprising trades of Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby.
Instead, this unlikely cast of characters came together far quicker than anyone could have predicted and will forever be known as the team that ended the drought. It was hardly Buffalo’s most talented team since 1999. The 2004 Bills, for instance, likely would beat this year’s team in a head-to-head matchup. A similar argument could be made for the 2014 Bills.
Denne historien er fra February 2018, Vol. 14, No. 14-utgaven av Bills Digest.
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Denne historien er fra February 2018, Vol. 14, No. 14-utgaven av Bills Digest.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
