WGR

‘I think 2019 will be an overall different story. The Bills will have higher expectations — and moreover, it really won’t matter what theirs are. All that’s left is to contend and win. Whether you got on board with the built-in excuses about the need to fix the cap and the “culture”, none of that holds up going forward from now. Two years is about as long as pro sports ever gives anyone to prep a roster. Allen, in Year 2, isn’t going to be “too young” in a league where young quarterbacks are shining. Time’s up.’

‘This will mark Williams’ first Pro Bowl selection since the 2016 season, and sixth overall (2010, 2012-14, 2016, 2018). His final season in the National Football League ended with five sacks, 35 tackles and 14 hits of the quarterback.

‘That last sentence I just wrote about Miller also applies to Mills, who has been with the Bills for the better part of four seasons after two years with the Bears, as well as the Cowboys and Lions practice squads. Like Miller, Mills’ tenure on the right side of the Bills’ line was uneven. The organization felt he played well enough in 2015 and 2016 to receive a two-year contract extension, but the last two years have been too inconsistent for the team to feel they need to bring him back. They should look to upgrade at the spot, but not close the door on Mills returning on a veteran-minimum type of deal for depth purposes.’

‘The Bills had reportedly worked out Williams back on December 18 along with several other players.’

‘Alonso hit a sliding Allen, that included a kick to the head, as he followed through on the late hit. A fight broke out between both teams immediately after, which resulted in ejections to Alonso, Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn, and Bills right tackle Jordan Mills.’

‘”It was kind of a little blessing in disguise. I got to step back and see the game from a different perspective. The game was moving pretty fast before I got hurt. After I got hurt, it seemed like it slowed down just a little bit. I was seeing things a little better, and that’s when I was making better decisions, and just feeling better playing the game of football.”‘

‘Crossman had been with the Bills through six seasons and three head coaching regimes, hired by Doug Marrone in 2013. Rex Ryan retained him when he was hired in 2015, as did McDermott when he took over in 2017. However, the Bills made several glaring special teams mistakes this past season.’

‘The first round pick became the youngest player in NFL history to record an interception when he picked off New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold in Week 14. He had another interception in the Week 17 finale against the Miami Dolphins.’

‘The rookie went 17-for-26 (65.4%) for 224 yards and three touchdowns passing, then added another 95 yards and two touchdowns running. It was, arguably, his best day as a pro, putting his running and throwing together for a full 60 minutes, and it came at a great time, to end the season on a high note.’

‘Beane chose to do something about it. From the day he was hired, he began shedding players and taking big contracts off the books for the long-term, knowing full-well, and willing, to take the short-term hit of the “dead money” the team would have to incur.’

‘The Bills had a tough time running the football in 2018, finishing 21st in the NFL in yards per-carry with 4.24. They did finish ninth overall in rushing yards per-game at 124.0, however, the bulk of those numbers came from quarterback Josh Allen, who led the team with 631 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per-carry.’

‘”He is a part of our plan. It was our entire run game that struggled, not just one person. I think if we can improve in others areas, that will help LeSean. That being said, he will come back in 2019. I’m not a believer that LeSean is done. If he gets back to form, I think he’s still a weapon.”‘

‘”There’s an overall optimism about where we are as a team. The players understand where we are with this football team. I encourage them to watch the playoffs and the intensity.”‘

‘There were also some ejections in the third quarter of this game, when Allen took a late hit from Miami linebacker and former Bill Kiko Alonso. Alonso’s hit sparked a scuffle, which led to the ejections of Bills tackle Jordan Mills and defensive end Robert Quinn and Alonso for Miami.’

‘Williams is what Buffalo is all about. He is loved in this town because he’s blue collar. Whether he was on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room or in the community this man never gave less than 100 percent. You always knew what you were getting from him in every single minute of every single day.’