1 - Shady scores first career Pro Bowl TD
He's achieved just about every personal accomplishment you can in the NFL, but on Sunday LeSean McCoy did something for the first time in his career. He's been a Pro Bowl selection six times, but Sunday was his first stop in the end zone during the league's all-star game.
McCoy chalked up three carries for seven yards and one touchdown in this year's Pro Bowl. Miraculously, he was the AFC's leading rusher with only three touches.
It was a shaky start for the AFC, as they trailed the NFC 20-3 at halftime. However, back-to-back TDs to open up the second half had the AFC back in business.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith connected with Titans tight end Delanie Walker to make it a 20-10 game. A little over five minutes later, McCoy took it up the middle for a two-yard TD. Shady's score brought the AFC within three points of the NFC, as they only trailed 20-17.
The NFC's only points in the second half came from a 38-yard field goal from Graham Gano. That kick extended the NFC's lead to 23-17.
With less than four minutes remaining in the game, the AFC took over possession trailing by six points. Eight plays later, Derek Carr connected with Walker to take a 24-23 lead. It was Walker's second TD of the game and the AFC's first lead.
The NFC had over a minute to stage a comeback, but their attempt was unsuccessful. McCoy's first career TD in the Pro Bowl was pivotal, as the AFC squeaked out a 24-23 win.
2 - Whose Buffalo bound in NFL's latest mock draft?
The Bills took a quarterback and cornerback with their two first-round picks in this recent mock draft. This QB led the entire FBS in passing yards and the CB led the FBS in interceptions.
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In Bucky Brooks Mock Draft 1.0, he had Buffalo taking Mason Rudolph with the 21st pick and Josh Jackson with the 22nd selection.
Rudolph, who just wrapped up his senior season at Oklahoma State, has a lot of traits to be a great NFL QB. In his past season with the Cowboys, he posted 4,904 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His nearly 5,000 yards led all of college football.
This is why Brooks thinks Rudolph to the Bills makes sense at 21st overall.
If Sean McDermott values prototypical traits and intangibles in his QB1, Rudolph could be the guy for the Bills. The Oklahoma State star is a natural leader with the tools to be a long-time starter in the league.
With their second first-round selection, Buffalo snags Jackson, the CB from Iowa. His junior year was outstanding with the Hawkeyes. He put his ball-hawking skills on display, and led the nation in INTs in the process.
In his final season at Iowa, Jackson tallied 48 total tackles, 18 passes defended, eight interceptions, two touchdowns, and one forced fumble.
Here's Brooks' take on the Bills adding another CB to their secondary.
*A defense can never have enough ball-hawking cornerbacks with the size to match up with the league's big receivers. *
You have every reason to be excited if Buffalo grabs Jackson and Rudolph in the first-round come April. It's a rare opportunity that a team can acquire these two talents in one draft.
3 - Former Bills LB likes the team's direction
After a trip to the playoffs in Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott's first season, former Bills linebacker Kirk Morrison likes what the two have brought to Buffalo. The Bills were his last NFL team, so he was genuinely happy they made the postseason.
Morrison met with BuffaloBills.com while he was in Orlando for the Pro Bowl. He shared his thoughts after the teams past season.
"I was so excited, not only for the team, the organization, but for the city, the community. Having lived there for two years I know how much football means to everybody in Buffalo. I know how Mondays are when you win and I know how Mondays are when you lose," said Morrison. "To see this team in the playoffs, and the excitement, I was just so excited for them. I wish the season would've gone a little bit longer, but definitely I think the foundation was set. A lot of that has to do with Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane, what they've been able to accomplish in one short season."
Morrison played in the league from 2005-2012. He spent 2005-2009 with Oakland, 2010 with Jacksonville, and 2011-2012 with Buffalo.
In 112 career games (95 starts), he recorded 729 total tackles, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
During his 16-game stint in Buffalo, Morrison made nine tackles, one pass defended, and one sack.
Morrison, like many others, heard the noise about the Bills tanking before the season. He touched on that topic and how McDermott was able to overcome that in his first year as a head coach.
"I think he really brought accountability. Think about some of the changes he made. I mean, a lot of people thought the Buffalo Bills were tanking. Yet, he was really just starting over," said Morrison. "He was getting football players who really wanted to be in Buffalo. That really understood what he wanted to get done. If you didn't fit in, it was either you were traded, cut, or released. It was good to see him trim the fat a little bit and really get guys who enjoy and understand the grind it's going to take. I think that's why you saw this team make it to the playoffs, because everybody bought in."
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