1. How Alexander feels the Bills will deal with increased expectations
As one of the veteran leaders on this year's team, Lorenzo Alexander understands that the expectations will be set higher than in previous seasons.
"From Sean's [McDermott] perspective, it is definitely going to be harder," said Alexander. "We want to surpass what we did last year."
Alexander also expressed that the mental aspect of the NFL game is just as important, if not more so, than the physical aspect.
"You have to come in with a mind set on setting a great foundation," he said.
After getting a taste of the playoffs last season, Alexander cautioned that success can sometimes be evasive due to the nature of athletes. Their mindsets can change with exposure to success.
"Players and people in general have a little bit of an ease up when they have success," he said. "Guys like Kyle Williams, myself, and the rest of the leaders here are trying to make sure that we lead by example."
Although success can sometimes lead to players easing up in their methods, Alexander explained that he does not believe that will be the case with this Bills team.
"Defensively, I think there is a little bit more swag and confidence coming into this year," said Alexander. "We know that we can play at a high level."
2. CBS Sports predicts when Josh Allen will make his first start
There are many questions surrounding the quarterback battle between A.J. McCarron, Nathan Peterman, and Josh Allen. However, most believe that at some point in 2018, Allen will have the opportunity to take over the starting role.
CBS sports recently released a list of every rookie quarterback, along with a prediction for when each quarterback could see their first NFL action. Below is the reasoning given on Allen.
Either way, that home outing against Tennessee seems like the logical time for Allen to make his Bills debut. The Titans defense won't be brutal this season, but it probably won't be as menacing up front as the squad's in Baltimore, Minnesota, or Los Angeles (units that finished 3rd, 2nd and 6th in Football Outsiders' Defensive DVOA in 2017), and having Allen start in Green Bay against Aaron Rodgers simply wouldn't be doing right by the young quarterback.
Even one month on the sideline would be much more beneficial to Allen's chance to succeed in the NFL in Buffalo than starting him right away.
CBS predicts that Allen will be the second quarterback to get his shot, behind only Josh Rosen of the Cardinals; who is predicted to start in Week 3. However, the main impetus behind projecting Rosen as the Week 3 starter, is the inability of fellow Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford to stay healthy.
3. Pro Football Focus ranks Tre'Davious White as the fourth best cornerback in the NFL
Tre'Davious White feels as though he should have been the defensive rookie of the year in 2017; however, that distinction was given to New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Although he did not win the award, many in the national media circle believe that White is poised to be a top cornerback in the NFL.
Recently, Pro Football Focus listed White as the fourth best cornerback in the NFL entering the 2018 season. Here's what they had to say about the second-year man out of LSU.
One of two rookie phenoms in 2017, the former LSU Tiger hit the ground running in the NFL, and finished the year as our third-highest graded cornerback at 91.6. A playmaker from Day 1, White tied for 10th among cornerbacks with 11 pass breakups and tied for fifth with four interceptions. While there are plenty of question marks in Buffalo ahead of the 2018 season, White's status as a playmaker on defense isn't one of them.
His snub in 2017 will certainly motivate him moving forward, and there is no doubt that White would like to appear as the number one cornerback on next year's list. The only cornerbacks ahead of White on the list were Chris Harris Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Casey Hayward; all of whom play in the AFC.
