Well, that looked like a new Bills team, didn’t it?
Sunday’s game was going to be all about E.J. Manuel (and he certainly didn’t disappoint) but we didn’t know how fast and crisp the rest of the club would appear, with standout players at seemingly every position. Here are 10 “other” guys (listed alphabetically) we’re suddenly really looking forward to watching on Friday when the Bills host the Vikings.
LB Kiko Alonso
WHERE DID COME FROM?
University of Oregon
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
2nd round pick (46th overall) in 2013 Draft
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
Credited with just 3 tackles but was all around the ball, pressuring the QB and working sideline to sideline.
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CB Ron Brooks
WHERE DID COME FROM?
LSU
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
4th round pick (124th overall) in 2012 Draft
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
Credited with 2 tackles and a forced fumble on the heels of a taunting penalty which had extended an Indy drive. Also, victimized on great deep TD catch by Indy’s T.Y. Hilton.
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WR Marcus Easley
WHERE DID COME FROM?
University of Connecticut
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
Drafted by Buffalo in 4th round (107th overall) back in 2010 but missed rookie year with knee injury and 2011 season with heart condition. Made practice squad in 2012 and was promoted to active squad late in the year, appearing in 3 games but registering no receptions.
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
It’s going to be tough to crack the 2013 roster but Easley was a favorite target in the opener, grabbing 7 passes for 94 yards.
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WR/KR Marquise Goodwin
WHERE DID COME FROM?
University of Texas
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
3rd round pick (78th overall) in 2013 Draft
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
He ran very quickly– makes sense since he was a track star– including this ridiculous 107 yard kickoff return.
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K Dustin Hopkins
WHERE DID COME FROM?
Florida State University
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
6th round pick (177th overall) in 2013 Draft
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
Hopkins made both of his FG attempts, all 5 of his PATs, and put 7 of his 9 kickoffs into the end zone. He also put one kickoff out of bounds. (Don’t do that, Dustin Hopkins.)
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LB Manny Lawson
WHERE DID COME FROM?
North Carolina State University, then the 49ers, then the Bengals
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
Signed as free agent on March 13, 2013
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
3 tackles and a big, menacing presence in the Bills LB corps.
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C/G Doug Legursky
WHERE DID COME FROM?
Marshall University, then the Pittsburgh Steelers
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
Signed as a free agent on June 5, 2013
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
Looked like one of those mean, tattooed o-linemen that every winning team in the league tends to have.
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WR Da’Rick Rogers
WHERE DID COME FROM?
Tennessee Tech, after transfering from University of Tennessee
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
Undrafted free agent, signed in April 2013
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
Just one catch– but for a 6 yard TD.
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QB Jeff Tuel
WHERE DID COME FROM?
Washington State University
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
Undrafted free agent, signed in April 2013
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
19 of 23, 212 yards, 2 TDs… all in the second half. Also, has not missed any time due to slipping on a rubber mat like Kevin Kolb has.
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WR Robert Woods
WHERE DID COME FROM?
University of Southern California
HOW DID HE GET HERE?
2nd round pick (41st overall) in 2013 Draft
WHAT DID HE DO IN THE PRESEASON OPENER?
4 catches, 32 yards.
