1. Davis acclimating himself to new surroundings
For a veteran player in the NFL, moving to a new team is sometimes a difficult transition. Guys get familiar with their surroundings after having played for one or two teams for an extended period. For Davis, after spending the first three years of his career in Miami, Davis spent the next six years in Indianapolis. After suffering an injury last season, Davis parted ways with the Colts, and signed with the Bills in March. Although the move to Buffalo is different, Sean McDermott believes that Vontae will do just fine with the Bills.
"He seems like he's acclimating himself to what we do and how we do it," said McDermott. "Honestly, that's the biggest transition for a veteran free agent."
McDermott's path to Buffalo was similar to Davis'. After coaching with Philadelphia for two seasons, he spent six seasons in Carolina before coming to the Bills last season. McDermott echoed the idea that adjusting to a new way of doing things can be difficult sometimes.
"He was at one or two places over the bulk of his career," he said. "There's just a new way of doing things at times. Sometimes, that's the biggest adjustment."
After McDermott played a large role in getting the Bills back to the playoffs in 2017, Bills fans are hoping that Davis can have a similar impact on the 2018 squad.
2. Khari Lee confident in his ability to perform in a new offense
To start his NFL career, Khari Lee was signed by Houston, traded to Chicago, claimed off waivers by Detroit, and then claimed off waivers by the Bills in September of last year. A tumultuous start to his career was not going to deter Lee, and he is now entering his second season with the Bills. However, after the switch from Rick Dennison to Brian Daboll, Lee is in the process of learning yet another offense. Fortunately, he is confident in his ability to do so.
"My journey has been all over the place," he said. "I have kind of learned how to adapt and how to pick up things rather quickly."
Without diminishing the complexity of NFL offenses, Lee has a one key reason for his confidence in learning another scheme.
"A lot of them are similar," Lee said. "Most of the changes are in the terminology. It hasn't been that difficult for me."
Although his journey has now taken him to three different NFL teams in his young career, Lee understands that it is tough to make your mark in the league.
"Man, the NFL is a grind," he said. "You sit there on draft day waiting for your name to get called, and once it doesn't it is just a grind. It doesn't matter if you were drafted or undrafted."
Lee is entering his fourth NFL season, and he plans on sticking around in Buffalo.
3. Chris Ivory ready to prove doubters wrong
Ivory has earned a reputation in the NFL as a bruising back, one that is not afraid to lower his shoulder and punish defenders. After rushing for more than 1,000 yards with the Jets in 2015, Ivory has acclimated himself to a rotational role behind Leonard Fournette in Jacksonville, and now LeSean McCoy with the Bills. Although he is known for his physicality, Ivory wants everybody to know that he is as quick as most running backs in the league.
"That's something I've had, the quickness and speed, and it has been undervalued," said Ivory.
Ivory appears to have a chip on his shoulder, and he challenges anyone to doubt his speed on the football field.
"When the time comes, that is what you will see [speed and quickness]," Ivory said.
As Ivory's role on teams has changed, he has not worried about where or when he will play. He seems confident that the Bills have a plan for him in this year's offense.
"I know they have a defined role for me," he said. "Right now, I am just trying to learn everything and make sure I understand my protections and my responsibilities."
Ivory is poised for another solid NFL season, and Bills fans can expect that he will be ready whenever his name is called.
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