Bills know change won’t come overnight
PITTSFORD, N.Y.— Time and patience are two qualities centre Eric Wood is running out of when asked to consider how long it might take for the Buffalo Bills to become contenders following their latest off-season overhaul. What’s wrong with this year? “I’m going into year nine and we haven’t made the playoffs and I feel it from everyone in town. I’m as impatient as everyone else,” Wood said after practice Saturday. “And I feel like we’ve got enough talent on this team to make the playoffs and make a run at it. I like this team.”
Defensive tackle Kyle Williams, entering his 12th season in Buffalo, doesn’t want to hear about two- or three-year rebuilding plans either.
“As far as tempering expectations, it won’t happen here,” Williams said. “My expectations are to win.”
Progress can’t happen fast enough for a franchise in the midst of a 17year playoff drought — the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.
Though the Bills return 16 starters, including a LeSean McCoy-led running attack that topped the NFL in yards rushing for the second season in a row, there is an overall lack of depth behind them. On defence, the secondary lost three starters and is making the switch to a 4-3 system.
New coach Sean McDermott isn’t interested in hearing about how little attention national publications are paying Buffalo.
“I certainly acknowledge that’s been the case out there and everyone’s got their own opinions,” the first-time coach and former Carolina Panthers defensive co-ordinator said. “I don’t really focus on that. I focus in on what’s in front of us and right now that’s this practice.”
GM Brandon Beane, hired just two months ago, acknowledged it takes time to build a team identity and establish a change in culture.
“It’s not an overnight thing,” Beane said. “We’re not going to stand here Week 1 and say we’ve totally jelled, everything’s ready to roll. This is a work in progress.”
Beane and McDermott spent the past six years developing a bond while working together in Carolina.
That’s a break from the most recent past, when former GM Doug Whaley clashed two coaches in a row: Rex Ryan, who was fired in the final week of last season; and Doug Marrone, who opted out of his contract following the 2014 campaign.
Technique and discipline were also issues for the Bills under Ryan. The low-key, detailed McDermott has brought an uptempo precision to practices.
“I’m into the process,” McDermott said.