As it turns out, that replacement may have been on their roster all along.
With Oliver struggling to make his mark at the NFL level, it’s Jordan Phillips who has become an unmistakable presence at defensive tackle for the Bills. The 27-year-old led all interior linemen in sacks through Week 9 with six, making quite the name for himself in the process.
“He’s doing some good things for us, for sure,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “He’s bringing a lot of energy to the table and making some splash plays for us that really make a difference.”
Phillips officially moved into the starting lineup in Week 8, replacing Oliver in a 24-9 win over Washington. The move had been a long time coming. The 6-foot-6, 341-pound lineman has continually impressed with his combination of size, power and speed, along with his tenacity in bursting through the middle of the line.
“Jordan is one of those rare guys who you don’t see very often — just a giant who can move,” said fellow defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. “You’ve seen him run. He can run. He’s putting it all to good work this year.”
It’s never been a question of talent for Phillips. He was considered a five-star recruit by Scout.com out of high school, going on to become a standout at Oklahoma. He entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2015 (52nd overall). It was just a matter of finding the right fit, where Phillips could harness that talent and become the player he was meant to be.
Bu hikaye Bills Digest dergisinin December 1, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Bills Digest dergisinin December 1, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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