Here's the Bills news of note for July 2nd.
1 - Reason for optimism
The Bills enter 2017 with a lot of new faces. New head coach, new GM, and even new players. With that, it may be hard to predict how they are going to this season. Sean McDermott has earned some high praise around the league for his tough attitude and playoff mentality. Also, the Bills were able to add some dynamic players in the draft and free agency.
Yahoo sports writer, Frank Schwab, recently posted an in-depth outlook on the Bills for the 2017. With that, Schwab also wrote his reasons to be optimistic for the Bills:
*Let's just pretend the 2016 draft class is added onto this year's draft class, because last year's draftees didn't do much. That could change. Pass rusher and 2016 first-round pick Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery last offseason and that set him back. He played 10 games and had just two sacks. He should be a much better fit in Sean McDermott's 4-3 scheme than Rex Ryan's 3-4. Inside linebacker Reggie Ragland missed all season after tearing his ACL. If he wins a starting spot, he was an exciting prospect out of college, then running back Jonathan Williams should replace Mike Gillislee as LeSean McCoy's backup. If everything goes well for them in year two, it's a nice infusion of young talent
*
You can find the rest of the analysis here.
2 - Belief in Sean McDermott
Mike Reiss of ESPN covers the Bills longtime rival, the New England Patriots, but recently had a good outlook for Buffalo. EPSN recently posted an article where AFC East reporters discussed the Bills playoff berth chances in the next few years.
With Reiss following such an already dominant franchise, his words have meaning. Here is what he said:
He is in the early stages of creating a culture that can sustain and put the Bills in position to be in that playoff mix in the coming years. With that as a springboard, count me in the "yes" category of the Bills snapping that playoff drought before 2019. As an annual visitor to western New York for the Patriots-Bills rivalry, it's always great to see how much the city supports the team. The fans deserve to taste some success after this playoff drought, and I'm a believer that McDermott is the leader to help the franchise snap the skid.
3 - Lorenzo among best AFC East pass rushers
Pro Football Focus has recently been breaking down every division’s most effective pass rusher. On their twitter, they decided to take a look at the AFC East. In the division, Lorenzo Alexander came second right behind Dolphins DE Cameron Wake.
Alexander took a huge jump in his career last year and it is now getting noticed everywhere. He played an OLB in Rex Ryan's 3-4 scheme and now that he has jumped out as one of the better sack artists, I'm sure Sean McDermott will utilize him in his 4-3.
