Bills rookie White focuses on staying grounded
PARK, N.Y. indelible impression on McDermott since March, when the two first met at the NFL rookie scouting combine at Indianapolis.
At the time, the rookie coach was preparing to overhaul much of Buffalo’s roster with the intention of restocking it with players he viewed as having leadership, maturity and character. White fit the bill, McDermott said, in being a four-year starter and team captain at LSU, and elected to return for his senior season to earn his sports administration degree.
Two months later the Bills selected the 22-yearold with the 27th pick.
Whatever initial hesitations defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier had in awarding a rookie a starting job were erased by how White performed on the field and learned the Bills system within the first month of practice.
“It was clearly evident to us early on that this guy could handle it,” Frazier said. “This game is not too big for him as a rookie. He’s lined up now against some of the best receivers week in and week out. And he’s held his own.”
White is part of a revamped starting secondary that includes freeagent safety additions Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer and cornerback E.J. Gaines, who was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in August.
All four have at least one interception each, led by Hyde’s four. Injuries, however, have begun testing the secondary’s thin depth.
Gaines missed one game with a groin injury and his status is uncertain for Sunday’s game after he hurt his hamstring against Tampa Bay. Poyer’s status is also uncertain after he hurt his right knee Sunday.
Buffalo has allowed a combined 712 yards passing the past two games, and faces a daunting test against a Derek Carr-led attack that had 417 yards passing in a 31-30 win over the Chiefs on Oct. 19.
What else is new, White said, noting he’s also faced Atlanta’s Julio Jones this season.
“I’ve got a lot to learn,” he added, before finally finding something positive to acknowledge.
“We’re winning,” White said. “That’s all that matters.”
NOTES