1. CBS analyst Boomer Esiason: Josh Allen will be the best of year two QBs
Patriots.com NFL reporter Don Banks polled Boomer Esiason, Phill Simms and Dan Orlovsky for their takes on the second-year quarterbacks from the 2018 class will make a notable performance jump in year two.
"Looking at these three guys, I think Josh Allen has the best chance to be the best out of the three of them, at least this year, simply because he'll be in the same offense he had last year,'' said Esiason, a CBS analyst on The NFL Today pre-game show. "Allen had a modicum of success last year due in large part to his physical stature and physical ability, with his ability to run and to make plays on the run.
Simms went on to say this about Allen.
"Josh Allen was almost tremendous last year in Buffalo, but nobody knew and nobody cared because they weren't a good team,'' said Simms, a first-round pick of the Giants in 1979, taken seventh overall. "When he came out for the draft, it was, 'Well, he's not accurate enough,' all that stuff that created a negative connotation to him. But as I said on The NFL Today one day, 'Hell, he's must-watch TV. Between the running and the 50-yard incompletions, every play is exciting."
Allen needs to look toward more short routes says Simms but he should definitely have help this year with Cole Beasley in the slot. Beasley has been one of the top players on short routes the past few years in the NFL and was consistently used as a safety-net for Dak Prescott in Dallas.
Simms thinks if Allen can look less downfield and more at what is in front of him, the competition between him and New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is a lot tighter.
"Darnold is going to improve this season, because he's going to have Le'Veon Bell and all the other things they've done is going to really help him," Simms said. "But really, really close behind him would be Josh Allen. With him the movement and the arm strength are phenomenal, and if he can learn to fall in love with 2-yard passes and learn to take the short stuff sometimes, there could be an interesting conversation on who's going to have the big jump next season.''
2. Ty Nsekhe on Buffalo's respect for him
New Bills lineman Ty Nsekhe went on the Jim Rome Show to discuss his appreciation for the Bills signing him and his performance against the Texans that put him in the spotlight last season.
"I have pride in my work, Nsekhe said. "I go out there every down and put effort and energy into training into being the best that I can be. I can't go out there on Sunday or Thursday and lay a goose egg. If I go out there then I have to do the best that I can."
Last season, the Redskins faced the Texans in Week 11. Nsekhe got the start and would face of against one of the NFL's best pass rushers in Jadaveon Clowney. Nsekhe shut him down all game.
"I had to put in extra time in the film room. I just felt this was going to get this was the opportunity going against someone elite like Jadaveon and I just wanted to help my team win," Nsekhe said.
Nsekhe was unaware of the respect and attention that he earned following that performance.
"It's not just one game. One game doesn't win divisions, playoffs. The goal last year was to try and win a championship and it's the same now," Nsekhe said.
The decision to sign the career journeyman didn't stem from just one game's performance but he was able to turn it into a two-year deal this offseason.
"I had to take a seat and just thank god. It's been a long journey and the fact that I'm able to provide for my family, my son, my generation where they don't have to go through the same struggle and adversity is wonderful," Nsekhe said.
3. Ed Oliver is Mina Kimes' favorite pick in the draft
ESPN asked its analysts a list of questions including who was their favorite pick from the 2019 NFL draft. For Mina Kimes, Ed Oliver was her choice.
Kimes: DT Ed Oliver to the Buffalo Bills (No. 9). I liked the value that Jacksonville got with Josh Allen, but Oliver to the Bills was a better fit. He's the perfect replacement for Kyle Williams: a strong, explosive tackle who can rush the passer from the inside. Plus, he will finally get to play his correct position.
Buffalo's defense was already elite last year, allowing the second-least amount of yards to opposing teams, and now with Oliver the Bills pass rush will only improve for this upcoming season.
