1. Frank Gore says offense is ready to go
Heading into the first game of the 2019 season, Frank Gore, the veteran going into his 15th season, believes Buffalo's offense is good to go.
"We're ready," Gore said. "We just have to keep working, taking the right steps and take it one day at a time. Just believing in us and our coaches. Go out there and fight, know what we are doing. We can do whatever we want, it's up to us."
Gore thinks rookie Devin Singletary is ready to be an NFL running back.
"He works hard, great kid, real natural," Gore said. "That's a running back. He can also catch the ball. We just have to keep working as one—me, him, T.J. [Yeldon] and Pat [DiMarco]. Try to do everything it takes to help this team be successful."
The three running backs in Gore, Yeldon and Singletary are all new faces to Brian Daboll's offense. Being new to the team, doesn't mean Gore is lacking in advice. The vet has been mentoring Singletary since he got to Buffalo and had some guidance for the rookie on how to get through his first NFL season.
"Look at the older guys," Gore said. "I've been blessed to have been playing the game for 15 years. He has one of the guys who at this position [did things] a lot of guys didn't do. He can watch me and even T.J., still a young guy. I try my best to do the right thing, to be fresh and ready to go on Sundays. [He can] watch me every day and just go to work."
2. HC Sean McDermott says team needs a good week of preparation ahead of opener
The Jets made several offseason moves including hiring a new general manager, head coach and position coaches including offensive and defensive coordinators. They also added several players hoping to revamp both sides of the ball. Getting ready to play in week one, head coach Sean McDermott is preparing for a revamped Jets offense and defense to take the field on Sunday.
"Both very good, very, very good, offensive and defensive coordinators," McDermott said. "And as well as their special teams coordinator, I think Brant [Boyer] does a really good job at what he does. And so, we've got to have a really good week of preparation."
Head coach Adam Gase and general manager Joe Douglas brought in Dowell Loggains to serve as offensive coordinator and Gregg Williams to take over as defensive coordinator. Loggains last stop was in Miami. Williams comes to the Jets from the Cleveland Browns. Gase is hoping running back Le'veon Bell will help give the Jets new life on offense.
"He's one of the best backs around the league," McDermott said. "And he hasn't played for some time, to your point. That said, it probably helps him. He's elusive, tough to bring down and one of the best backs in my opinion in the game."
McDermott sees a difference in second year quarterback Sam Darnold.
"He looks like he's composed," McDermott said about Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. "I don't think that's different. I think we're seeing a good solid quarterback that's young but progressing and developing. We'll have our work cut out for us defensively because of what he does and what he does in between plays and with the no huddle that they run and things like that. They've got a good offense with weapons."
The Bills bring a lot back from a talented defense last season and add a new piece in first-round pick Ed Oliver to their interior defensive line. The second-ranked defense from last season will work to stop Bell and keep Darnold away from setting a rhythm.
3. North Carolina A&T grad Tarik Cohen proud of Darryl Johnson making 53-man roster
Since 2000, there have been four draft picks out of North Carolina A&T—Darryl Johnson is the latest to enter the league. Tarik Cohen, Brandon Parker, Tony McRae and now Darryl Johnson make up the current four representing North Carolina A&T in the NFL. When his fellow alumni in the league heard he made it onto Buffalo's 53-man roster, they had high praise for the rookie.
"All of us talk," Johnson said. "He [Tarik Cohen] hit me up on Instagram. We had a long conversation, telling me how proud of me he was and just try to keep everything going. We've got Brandon Parker, Tony McRae, all of those guys came from our school and we are just trying to keep it going."
Johnson feels a sense of pride coming from a smaller school that is not known for producing a lot of NFL talent.
"It feels good to represent all my guys that are still playing that are paving the way for us," Johnson explained. "It just drives me to go harder every day. I know my boys back home are counting on me to make a statement and they can have a chance to make a shot. Just trying to do whatever I can. Happy to be a part of the Bills and do whatever it takes."
Having just a few teams at his pro day, Johnson understands he has the ability to affect what teams think of his school based on how he and other North Carolina A&T grads play in the NFL.
"I have an awareness," Johnson said. "Tarik Cohen, all those guys, the greats. I'm just trying to do what they're doing. Hopefully I can do that, but I know it's going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. Coming in every day and trying to get better."
Johnson has a talented player in Cohen to look up to. For now, the rookie wants to work on improving his craft, learning from the veterans in the defensive line room. Johnson definitely showed his potential in flashes during preseason play.
