1. Jessie Pegula advances to the Australian Open quarterfinal
Jessie Pegula, daughter of Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula, has had quite the Australian Open appearance. Pegula is set to play in her first grand slam quarterfinal tonight.
Pegula didn't have an easy route to the quarterfinal as she took down Elina Svitolina who was the No. 5 seed. It was her first win over a top 10 player.
Pegula will face another American and a good friend, Jennifer Brady, in the final eight of the grand slam tournament.
In an ESPN article, her coach David Witt explained confidence is a big part of her recent rise. Someone who she has looked to for inspiration has been Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
"Even last year, when he wasn't playing that well, I was like, 'I like this kid.' I loved his competitive spirit. He was a gamer. He just wanted to win. That's something you love to see,'' she said about Allen. "It's definitely something I think I tried to take into my game a little bit, even watching the team getting that grit, that competitive attitude, having that mindset; in tennis, it's like 90%, sometimes, of the matches. I think it's been really cool to watch them and kind of channel that energy into how I've been doing.''
Pegula will play Brady on Wednesday at 9:00 pm ET on ESPN2.
2. Why J.J. Watt in Buffalo makes sense
J.J. Watt was released by the Texans at his request just a few days ago. The 10-year veteran who was a difference maker for Houston can have a big impact on whichever team he plays for next. Around the NFL Writer Nick Shook ID'd nine teams that could be Watt's next landing spot and the Bills were included on the list. Shook thinks Watt, who has had 101 sacks over 10 seasons, could help get the Bills to a Super Bowl.
If Watt is looking to chase a ring, Buffalo provides one of the best chances of getting the veteran to the Super Bowl in his first year. The Bills were one win from the Super Bowl in 2020, falling to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, and Watt would create quite a tandem with Jerry Hughes off the edge. Buffalo's blue-collar fanbase would also be a perfect match with Watt, and would welcome him to Western New York with open arms.
The Bills have a little over a million more in space than the Titans and a clear cut in veteran Mario Addison to clear the room necessary (Addison's release would create roughly $6.1 million in new space) to add Watt. Sean McDermott's defensive minded team seems to be one of the best fits for Watt, with credit due to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah for pointing out this potential marriage Friday.
3. What free agent is a must keep for the Bills?
The Bills have a slew of free agents who could be moving on to other teams in 2021. Among the group are five offensive lineman—Jon Feliciano, Ty Nsekhe, Brian Winters, Daryl Williams and Ike Botteger. NFL.com analyst David Carr thinks the Bills should keep Feliciano on the roster.
OG Jon Feliciano
... They need to turn their attention to the offensive line (we saw just how important O-line play is in Super Bowl LV) and re-sign the veteran right guard. Feliciano's strength as a run blocker is crucial to Brian Daboll's offense, which was apparent in the unit's rushing success in the second half of the season after he returned from injury. The 29-year-old Feliciano still has a few more good years in him and can set the tone for the unit.
