rayonsports.com

The Buffalo Bills’ 17-14 win in Miami on Sunday wasn’t a spectacular effort by any means, but it was another win for the improving Bills, who are now 4-10 for the year. When you figure this team had wins practically in the bank against Baltimore, Kansas City and Pittsburgh this year, there’s no doubting how much progress they’ve made. They have gone 4-2 in their last 6 games after starting 0-8, and are beginning to establish an identity. That identity is a roster full of over-achieving players, the NFL’s “Little Engine That Could”. Look at the roll call of impact players on both sides of the ball – on offense, there’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 7th round draft pick of the Rams who has found a home, RB Fred Jackson, an undrafted free agent from Coe College (Marv Levy’s alma mater), WR Stevie Johnson, also a 7th round pick, undrafted free agents David Nelson, Donald Jones and now Naaman Roosevelt. On defense, some of the biggest playmakers are tackle Kyle Williams, a 5th round draft pick, undrafted free agent safety George Wilson and recently LB Arthur Moats, a 6th round pick. The Bills’ front office has spent this season shaking the free agent bushes for useful players, and guys like offensive linemen Kraig Urbik, Mansfield Wrotto and Chad Rinehart, tight end Scott Chandler and defensive lineman Kellen Heard have to love one thing about being brought into this organization – they will surely get every opportunity to earn roster spots and make positive  contributions to the team. For “fringe” players like them, Buffalo is the best place to be, since the club has developed a track record of finding diamonds in the rough and allowing those players to earn key roles for the future. As for Sunday’s game, as I said earlier, it wasn’t a magnificant display of football, but it was a hard-earned “team” win by an undermanned Bills’ squad that looks to finally be “learning” how to win.