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Bills Today

Bills Today: Josh Allen, Kim Pegula are 'shaping the NFL'

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1 - Josh Allen, Kim Pegula are 'shaping the NFL'

The NFL is in a constant state of evolution, and according to ESPN, two staples of the Bills organization are at the forefront of the change.

ESPN writer Dan Graziano recently wrote an article in which he highlighted 100 people who are "shaping the NFL." Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and team Owner and President Kim Pegula are among the numerous players, coaches, and executives who appear on the list, with Graziano even comparing the 22-year-old signal caller to a former NFL MVP.

"Yeah, we're going to put all the 2018 first-round QBs on this list because it looks like a class that could help define the league's near-term future," Graziano wrote. "Like [Sam] Darnold, Allen needs a team built around him. Like [Lamar] Jackson, he showed he could be productive (631 rushing yards, eight TDs) while he still works on his accuracy (52.8 percent). Could he be the next Cam Newton?"

Allen is one of 24 quarterbacks listed. All five of the quarterbacks who were selected in the first round of the 2018 draft appear on the list, with Graziano suggesting that the crop could be set to take the league by storm. Allen completed 169 passes for 2,074 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018.

Pegula is one of 12 executives to appear on the list. Graziano described her as a trailblazer, someone who has consistently made waves in the league since purchasing the Bills in 2014.

"She and husband Terry, the still-relatively-new owners of the Bills, are always together at league owners meetings, and it's clear Kim has a significant role in the operations of the team," Graziano wrote. "Another woman on the rise in a league that hasn't traditionally seen many in positions of prominence.

2 - Heath Farwell 'looked up' to this Bills great

He tried to emulate Steve Tasker throughout his entire playing career. Now he's a part of the organization where Tasker won four AFC Championships.

The Bills hired Heath Farwell as their special teams coordinator earlier this month. Farwell, who played in the NFL for 10 years after going undrafted in 2005, was a solid special teamer throughout the entirety of his professional career. He made the Pro Bowl thanks to his special teams efforts in 2009, and he even captained the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title in 2016.

Growing up with a respect and appreciation for special teams, Tasker was a player that Farwell gravitated toward. Widely regarded as one of the greatest special teams players in the history of the NFL, Tasker appeared in seven Pro Bowls throughout his career.

Now under the same umbrella as one of his idols, Farwell is excited to form a relationship with Tasker. He's already purchased a Tasker jersey for one of his kids, pairing that with the jersey of another ex-Bills receiver.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting him," Farwell said. "He was a guy that I looked up to as a young kid. I have young kids, and the first thing my wife asked me was, 'What jerseys should we get?' I told her, 'We're getting Steve Tasker for my meathead son, and Don Beebe for my skinnier, more finesse guy.'

"Those guys, I have a lot of respect for. Steve Tasker, again, he was a guy with a niche of special teams, played in the league at a high level for so long. He was a guy that I tried to emulate my career around."

3 - Kyle Williams to participate in Pro Bowl Skills Showdown

Buffalo fans are already well aware of Kyle Williams' elite skillset. The 35-year-old will have the opportunity to put his abilities on display in front of a national audience tonight when he takes part in the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown.

Williams and nine other AFC representatives will take on the NFC in a variety of challenges and competitions. Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly will coach the AFC during the event.

This is the first time that Williams will participate in the Skills Showdown. He was added to the AFC's Pro Bowl roster earlier this month after Tennessee defensive tackle Jurrell Casey was forced to drop out due to injury. Williams, who retired after the conclusion of the 2018 season, recorded 35 tackles and five sacks in his final campaign.

The Pro Bowl Skills Showdown will air at 9:00 p.m. on ESPN. You can watch Williams take to the field for the final time this Sunday when he participates in the Pro Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

It's 2019 Pro Bowl week in Orlando, Florida! Click through to see photos of Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams, AFC Legends Captain Jim Kelly and more from the Sunshine State.

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