1 – NFL Network analyst praises Bills' culture after camp visit
Bills fans should have some level of familiarity with former NFL offensive lineman, Shaun O'Hara. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2000 and spent four seasons in Cleveland. O'Hara then signed with the New York Giants, where he helped the Giants dethrone the Patriots after their near-perfect season in 2008. Currently, O'Hara is employed as an analyst for NFL Network, and he recently spoke about the culture created in Buffalo by owners Terry and Kim Pegula and the rest of the Bills organization.
"I was thoroughly impressed from top to bottom," said O'Hara on Tuesday's appearance on One Bills Live. "It's not just with the Bills. Seeing what the Pegulas are doing down by the waterfront is amazing. It just feels like Buffalo is on the verge of something amazing."
O'Hara was also impressed with what he saw and heard from Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.
"Sitting down with Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, I see the draw," he said. "When you're a free agent and you visit different places, you are taking everything in. I love the culture that those guys are bringing to this team."
Culture is certainly something that has been emphasized by both the Pegulas and the Bills front office and coaching staff, and it now appears as though outsiders are taking notice. O'Hara is familiar with the NFL landscape, and he believes that the Bills are on the rise.
"There's just a really good energy, a really good culture that they are building," said O'Hara.
2 – OC focused on fundamentals as preseason opener approaches
As the Bills' new offensive coordinator in 2018, Brian Daboll assumes a great deal of responsibility for the product the Bills develop on offense. Formerly with the New England Patriots and the Alabama Crimson Tide, Daboll has learned under the tutelage of some of football's best coaches. Recently, Daboll spoke about his new assignments in Buffalo.
"It is your job as your coach to give positive feedback or constructive criticism on every play," said Daboll. "The only way to operate effectively on offense is to have trust amongst all 11 guys."
Daboll is a Buffalo native who grew up rooting for the Bills, and he is putting his best work on the table for the 2018 season. He recently spoke about how he plans to facilitate the transition to his offensive scheme.
"The focus for all of us is improving our fundamentals and doing the right thing on every play," said Daboll. "I am going to continue to coach and instruct until we are all on the same page."
3 – Five Bills named to All-AFC East team by CBS Sports
Recently, CBS Sports released their annual all-division teams, which consist of the best players from each division compiled into one roster. Headlining the group from the Bills is veteran running back LeSean McCoy. Here is what CBS Sports analyst Jared Dubin had to say about McCoy.
McCoy has been one of the NFL's best running backs for nearly a decade at this point; and with his being expected to serve as the foundational piece of the Buffalo offense in 2018, we should expect him to have another big season.
Also included on the AFC East division team are linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, tight end Charles Clay, cornerback Tre'Davious White, and safety Micah Hyde. Dubin seemed especially impressed with the play of White.
White was marvelous during his rookie season with the Bills, emerging as a top-flight starter and inner-circle Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. White allowed a touchdown or a first down on just 26.4 percent of targets, the seventh-lowest rate among corners who played at least 400 passing-down snaps, per PFF, which awarded White its DROY award. White is 23 years old and should just be getting started on a long career as a shutdown corner.
Although a list like this one is simply hypothetical, the AFC East boasts some of the premier talent in the league, and the Bills own the rights to five of the players named to the fictional team.
