1. Josh Allen on rookies: They know their playbook
A picture circulating on social media last week showed Bills rookies WR Gabriel Davis, WR Isaiah Hodgins and RB Zack Moss training with QBs Josh Allen and Matt Barkley in California. In an interview with EBA Production Allen shared his initial thoughts on throwing with the rookies.
"Out here in sunny SoCal throwing with some of the rooks," Allen explained. "They know their stuff, they know the playbook. Getting on the field and getting some time with them. It's going to pay off when it counts so I'm excited."
Moss said he was looking forward to finally getting in some face time with his new QB.
"When I first heard about the workouts I was definitely eager to get out here and get to work with these guys," Moss said. "Just run through this new offense that I'm now in. I had been trying to get with Josh for a while, just trying to get to know my new teammates and stuff like that. When this opportunity came up it was definitely a great opportunity for me to come up here and work."
The running back also appeared on Good Morning Football last week to talk about his life since becoming a Buffalo Bill. Moss said he was impressed with the calm vibe from Allen while the two were training together.
"He's a hard worker but he knows how to relax and you always want to be around guys like that who can turn it on and turn it off in a sense," Moss said. "He can spin a ball. Just watching him throw a ball off balance and stuff like that while we've been working out and training has been really cool to see. I think he's going to do a lot of good things this year."
2. Could this Bills player be a MVP candidate this season?
NFL.com writer Adam Schein has picked the Buffalo Bills in many of his columns on a variety of topics whether it's his favorite to win the AFC East or highlighting their strong defense. Most recently, Schein has a Bills player on a list of his nine dark-horse favorites to win MVP. Schein thinks quarterback Josh Allen has what it takes to earn MVP chatter in his third year in the league. The Bills supporter put Allen at the top of his list.
Allen has all of the criteria in place to be a dark-horse MVP candidate. While he was selected seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, his unrefined skill set made him a lightning rod for criticism. This only increased during an uneven rookie year when he mixed enticing athleticism with scattershot accuracy.
But Allen vastly improved in Year 2, significantly boosting his marks in completion percentage (58.8, up from 52.8 in 2018), TD-to-INT ratio (20:9, up from 10:12) and passer rating (85.3, up from 67.9). Not to mention, he showcased a definite clutch gene, leading the NFL in fourth-quarter comebacks (four) and game-winning drives (five). Behind his guidance, the Bills reached double-digit wins for the first time this millennium, making the playoffs for just the second time in the past 20 seasons.
Schein thinks Allen alone can't make himself an MVP candidate, but his supporting cast can help him get there.
I think this team is going places. And I think this aerial attack is about to explode. Buffalo GM Brandon Beane brilliantly traded for Stefon Diggs, giving Allen a legit No. 1 receiver. Those two will make beautiful music together. And don't forget about Allen's great chemistry with John Brown and Cole Beasley, which will only get better in their second season together.
With Tom Brady in Tampa, Buffalo will take the AFC East with 11 or 12 wins. Allen will put up monster numbers -- with his arm and legs -- to complement McDermott's great defense. This is the player to watch on a team to watch. Big things coming.
3. Where does Tre'Davious White rank among the best CBs in the NFL?
Pro Football Network ranked the top 25 cornerbacks heading into the 2020 season. Buffalo's Tre'Davious White rightfully earned himself a spot on the list. The corner tied for a league leading six interceptions in 2019. PFN's Andrew DiCecco has White at No. 3 on the list.
3. Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Tre'Davious White earned a first-team All-Pro distinction following a breakout 2019 campaign in which he accumulated 58 tackles, 17 passes defended, six interceptions, a sack, and two forced fumbles. The 25-year old will play opposite veteran Josh Norman this season but doesn't figure to see many passes thrown in his direction. Given White's versatility, I will be interested to see if they choose to move him around in formations.
Jalen Ramsey earned the No. 2 spot and Stephon Gilmore ranks No. 1.
