1 – McDermott offers thoughts on 'Buffalo Bills: Embedded'
Last night, the Bills premiered a behind the scenes series titled 'Buffalo Bills: Embedded' on their Facebook page. The series is designed to give Bills fans an inside look at the intricacies of the NFL lifestyle. Clips from the series show players, coaches, and other Bills personnel in meeting rooms, on the practice field, and just about everywhere else. Recently, Bills head coach Sean McDermott offered his thoughts on the production.
"Well, it is authentic, I can tell you that," he said. "It is real."
As you might imagine, an in-depth look at every move you make could be hard to adjust to, and McDermott said just that.
"Maybe some of the stuff that was taped will change the perception of Sean McDermott as a coach," McDermott said jokingly. "I hope not."
Although McDermott is the head man in Buffalo, he believes that the series is an accurate representation of what life at training camp is really like. He also noted that if he were just a fan, looking at the game from the outside, he would be glued to whichever device was playing "Embedded."
"I know if I was a fan, I wouldn't miss it," said McDermott.
Bills fans can catch the entire series on Facebook Watch at facebook.com/billsembedded. New episodes will be available on Wednesday nights at 8:00 p.m. from Aug. 15 through Sept. 5.
2 – This Bills RB is hoping to separate in a crowded backfield
Entering his eight NFL season, and his second with the Bills, running back and kick returner Taiwan Jones is hoping to stick around a little while longer. It's no secret that the Bills running back group is crowded with the likes of LeSean McCoy, Marcus Murphy, Travaris Cadet, and Keith Ford; but Jones' versatility has allowed him to become somewhat invaluable.
As depth players in the NFL go, flexibility and adaptability are two of the qualities that separate the greats from the not-so-greats. Fortunately for Jones, he has demonstrated his willingness to conform to whichever position he is needed at. He recently spoke about his ability to play multiple positions.
"Even though some people consider me to be 'old,' I still have the ability to do whatever I need to do," said Jones. "I'm willing to play on offense, special teams, or defense; whatever the coaches want me to do."
Jones' 2017 season was cut short by an injury, but as usual, he says that he is using last year as motivation to perform at an even higher level in 2018.
"I was really upset about how my season ended last year," he said. "That put a pretty big chip on my shoulder."
3 – Newest Bills FB respected by college teammate
Yesterday the Bills announced that they added fullback Sam Rogers to the 90-man roster. Rogers was a sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft, and his road to Buffalo has been unconventional to say the least. After being drafted, Rogers was cut twice, the second time leading to his arrival in Buffalo. He played his college football at Virginia Tech, where he played alongside fellow Bills Wyatt Teller and Tremaine Edmunds. Recently, Teller spoke about the former college walk-on.
"He is one of the greatest men I have ever known, and he is only a year older than me," said Teller.
Teller reminisced about their time at Virginia Tech, and how improbable Rogers' rise really was.
"When I was a freshman, he was a walk-on fullback. I made a joke, kind of being a jerk, like, 'You think you're going to make the team?'" said Teller. "He proved me wrong from day one. That man is the hardest working, most mentally tough man I have ever known."
Fullback isn't the most glamorous position in football, but Rogers has earned a level of respect from Teller that few have. Teller recently talked about Rogers' work ethic in college.
"He [Rogers] would pull out the ladder, after we did ladder, and do even more ladder. After we did bench press, he [Rogers] would do more bench press," he said. "After we were all dog tired and throwing up on the floor, he would go out and do more."
After the Bills reached an injury settlement with FB Zach Olstad, Rogers will wear number 36 for the team on Friday.
