1. Cole Beasley: This can be a spark for us to actually take action
Bills receiver Cole Beasley took to social media this week to reveal his thoughts on racial injustice and police brutality in our country. Beasley explained as a father of three biracial kids, he will no longer ignore the problems the Black community faces every day.
I'm writing this to apologize to everyone affected by unfortunate events like the murder of George Floyd. We get distracted by so many other things in our lives, especially in this day and age. So often we see it, feel bad, and post something about it to then just return to our lives. That is why this problem still exists. I have been a part of the problem. One of the first steps to recover is admitting you have a problem or that you were wrong. I have been wrong for a long time. I have remained ignorant as much as it kills me to say. Not only have I failed Black people but I have failed my sons and daughter up to this point, by turning the other way.
Beasley wrote one of the ways he is taking action is by donating to 9inety-10 Nonprofit to support Black youth in our country. The receiver is also a rap artist and has changed lyrics in a song to reflect the state of the country. Every penny made from downloads and streams will go to 9inety-10 Nonprofit.
I'm hoping to influence other people like myself who have looked the other way for far too long. I'm hopeful that this can be a spark for us to actually take action. If you don't know how you can help then this can be a start. Donate to 9inety-10 Nonprofit to help support Black youth in our country. Also every cent made from downloads and streams from this song will be donated to the charity as the funds become available. Originally I wrote this song on my first album but recently changed the verses to reflect our current situation in America.
You can click here to download the song. To donate and for more information on 9inety-10, click here.
2. Dawson Knox on what's the biggest motivating factor for this team in 2020
Bills tight end Dawson Knox appeared on The Jim Rome Show this week to share what his training schedule has looked like this offseason. Knox went into detail on why last season's Wild Card loss to the Texans will be a motivating factor for the team this season.
"I think everybody was left with a bitter taste in their mouth after that loss," Knox said. "But I think that's going to be the biggest motivating factor to get us back to where we want to be next year, the season coming up, because I don't think you can learn nearly as much from a win as you can from a loss. I think that's the behind-the-scenes factor that's going to push guys harder this offseason and kind of show that hard work will pay off. Once we get there we have to make the most of our opportunity."
As the team gets ready for training camp, many questions still remain due to COVID-19. One big question being if fans will be allowed in the stadium during games. With two primetime games scheduled at home, Knox is hoping New Era Field can be packed with Bills Mafia because it's a difference maker in games.
"The fans are unlike anything I've ever seen in my life," Knox explained. "It's unbelievable. It's so fun to play for. That's why I'm just praying that they allow fans in the stands because the type of energy that the mafia brings to games, it just makes it so fun to play for."
3. Josh Allen's supporting cast earning national respect
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report ranked the supporting cast of every starting quarterback in the NFL. Good news for Bills fans, Knox ranks the Bills playmakers No. 8 on his list - the highest ranking for any AFC East team. The Bills also jumped 16 spots from their ranking of No. 24 in 2019. Here are the highlights from Knox's write-up on the Bills.
With one brilliant offseason move, the Buffalo Bills gave quarterback Josh Allen a top-10 supporting cast. The trade to acquire Stefon Diggs gave Allen the true No. 1 option he has been missing and made the duo of Cole Beasley and John Brown one of the league's top complementary units.
Running back Devin Singletary was explosive as a rookie in 2019, racking up 775 rushing yards and 194 receiving yards while splitting time with veteran Frank Gore. With rookie third-rounder Zack Moss replacing Gore, Allen should have a strong backfield to support his own rushing ability.
At tight end, the Bills have Dawson Knox, who proved to be a fine contributor as a rookie last season. The Mississippi product is a reliable if unspectacular checkdown option who should split time with a healthy Tyler Kroft in 2020.
