1 - Shady shares why sixth Pro Bowl is special
Bills running back LeSean McCoy is currently in Orlando, Florida, for his fifth-straight Pro Bowl. It's the sixth selection of his career and he shared why this one is important.
"Oh this one is special. It's special for the fact that my son if five-years-old now. He can kind of experience everything here. The atmosphere here is amazing," said McCoy. "Also just to represent my team, represent Buffalo. I'm a Bill man, and I'm proud to do it. I'm proud to be a part of it. Come out here to Orlando, show off a little bit, you know where my blue. It makes it special."
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Shady's been selected to the Pro Bowl in: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of those six years. Also, he's tallied 53 rushing TDs in his six Pro Bowl seasons.
In the years McCoy has made the Pro Bowl, it's been located in Hawaii, Arizona, and now Florida. This is the second-straight season they've been down South in Orlando.
The AFC will take on the NFC on Jan. 28, at Camping World Stadium.
"I like it. They have a lot of good things for the family, also for the kids. That's what it's mostly about," said McCoy. "Come out here and showcase it for the children, for the kids, for the fans. Happy to be a part of it and I look forward to doing it."
2 - Bills OC, a dream job title for Daboll
There have been many players who have come through the doors of One Bills Drive, who have
professed their appreciation for Buffalo by the time their careers are over. For Buffalo's new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, perhaps no one but him knows the immense significance that his new job title holds for him.
Speaking to the Western New York media for the first time since being hired by Bills head coach Sean McDermott in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, Daboll wore his emotion on his sleeve when asked about working for the NFL team he grew up rooting for in West Seneca.
"It means everything," said Daboll as his eyes got a bit glassy. "I'm a Buffalo guy, from the communities around the stadium to the Rochester area. It's a really special place to me. It's where I grew up. The people in the community are second to none. They're unbelievable. (It's the) city of good neighbors for a reason. Great food as you can tell, but I love the place. I love the community. I love the people. I love the fans. I love the team. Very special place for me."
So special that he kept a home in Western New York even when he was coaching in places like New England, New York, Miami, Cleveland and Kansas City.
"I just thought it was a great opportunity for myself and my family," he said of his new role with the Bills. "Again this community this team, it holds a special place. I've been doing this for 18 years, and 15 in the AFC East, so finally being able to come home is a blessing.
"I love Buffalo. I grew up a huge Buffalo Bills fan, but again it had to be the right situation too. I just think with Sean and Brandon and the Pegulas, I have a really good feeling about this place. It was a good opportunity and in the best interest of our family."
Daboll may have been born in Welland, Ontario, but he was raised by his grandparents in West Seneca. He attended St. Francis high school in Athol Springs where his football career allowed him to play at the college level at the University of Rochester.
There have been Buffalo coaches who have valued the opportunity to work for the Bills, but there might not be any coach before Daboll whose appreciation runs deeper as the kid who used to cheer for the team who has entrusted him with their offense.
"Look, the city of Buffalo and the surrounding areas are as special to me as anything besides my family," he told Buffalobills.com. "This community and what they stand for, that's how I grew up. It's a tough town with tough people and I just have a world of respect for this place. It's very special to me and my family. I'm extremely excited."
3 – QB Benkert and Zay Jones share ECU ties
University of Virginia quarterback, Kurt Benkert, is one of nine QBs at this week's Senior Bowl. He transferred to UVA from East Carolina University in 2016. Bills wide receiver, Zay Jones, attended ECU from 2013-2016. The QB and WR became good friends while in Greenville for two years together, and that friendship is still intact today.
"Yeah he's one of my good friends," said Benkert. "We came into ECU together and he's always been there for me."
Benkert played at ECU from 2014-15. However, he only appeared in three games.
In 2014, he completed 8-of-10 passes for 58 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. He did manage to rush for two TDs on only five carries.
Benkert didn't play at all in 2015. His season ended in late August that year, as he suffered a severe knee injury.
However, he bounced back well upon his transfer to UVA. In 24 games during his two seasons there, he posted 5,759 passing yards, 46 TDs, and 20 INTs.
For Jones, he had a record-setting four-year career at ECU. Though, only two of those years (2014-2015) were spent with Benkert.
In 2014, Jones reeled in 81 receptions for 830 yards and five TDs. In 2015, Jones recorded 98 receptions for 1,099 yards and five TDs.
Just like Jones did last year, Benkert is now participating in the Senior Bowl. He was asked if he's received any advice from the Bills WR leading up to this week.
"Yeah we talk a few times a week, especially recently once college was done," said Benkert. "He's busy and just now getting over his [shoulder] recovery. He's a good person to have in my corner."
Chris Brown contributed to this report.
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