Buffalo Bills 11/22 media day features Allen, Diggs, McDermott, Hyde, Oliver, and Douglas

Six members of the Bills fielded questions from the media on Wednesday, ahead of Thanksgiving

Another day, another healthy set of interviews by members of the Buffalo Bills. During Wednesday’s media availability, head coach Sean McDermott, cornerback Rasul Douglas, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, quarterback Josh Allen, safety Micah Hyde, and wide receiver Stefon Diggs all took turns at the mic.

The common theme among each who spoke was a palpable sense of positive energy. That’s perhaps most evident in Josh Allen stating: “Trusting the process, not the results.”

Catch up on all the latest from today’s media session, after the break.

Head coach Sean McDermott

McDermott of course gave an update on the team’s injury front, which you can read more about in our focused article here. McDermott fielded questions about what both Rasul Douglas and defensive tackle Linval Joseph have brought to the team. McDermott did point out the importance of their roles given the injury situation since Week 4. About left tackle Dion Dawkins, McDermott lightened the mood a bit when discussing his season, pointing out that he noticed Dawkins’ personality on display in Week 11.

McDermott also fielded plenty of questions throughout about the upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles, including the “Brotherly Shove,” building on momentum, the challenges of preparing for Week 12 in terms of the opponent and within the Thanksgiving holiday.

For additional thoughts on all this and more — including the play of wide receiver Khalil Shakir, check out the video embedded below.

Cornerback Rasul Douglas

Listen in as Rasul Douglas responds to questions about the immediate impact he’s made since arriving three weeks ago via trade, including the magnet-like pull he has for the football. Watch now!

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver

Hear from Ed Oliver about going against the Philadelphia Eagles, including his thoughts on the Eagles’ 3rd & Short abilities, the offense in general, injuries on defense, defending RPOs, and more.

Then another question came up about Philly’s “Tush Push” — wondering if there’s an “element of fun” in going against it, to which Oliver quipped:
“When we gonna talk about us?” followed up by the reporter stating the potential the defense has to stop the situation. “That’s not about us, that’s about them. So I think our gameplan is to go in there and keep them out of the down-and-distance so we don’t have to go against it.” Essentially restating what he explained minutes prior.

For more on this, including the mindset he and the defense take into each game, plus what it takes to earn the post-play dance — watch the embedded video below.

Quarterback Josh Allen

Josh Allen covered a lot of ground in his 12 minutes at the mic. Allen spoke about preparing for the Eagles and finally revealed what it was that made him exclaim he’s back.

“I watched John Wick 3. That’s what he said. So, I don’t know. I was just pumped up on the sideline,” following up with “uh… scoring some touchdowns. Winning.” — when asked what had him pumped up.

Allen was further asked from that same reporter, drilling deeper to find out what’s at the heart of Allen exclaiming he’s back, about whether that feeling can be duplicated. Plus, Allen shared thoughts on both wide receiver Khalil Shakir’s breakout, the continued ascendance and on-field relationship he’s building with rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, and praise of left tackle Dion Dawkins’ play this season.

Short of transcribing his presser in its entirety, be sure to click the embedded video below.

Safety Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde responded to questions about Philadelphia’s offense, including the impressive play of Jalen Hurts. The reporter who asked Oliver about the “Tush Push” also asked Hyde about the play, which Hyde graciously honored in providing a fairly detailed answer.

Hyde was candid in responding to a question about how the team’s been able to keep things headed in the right direction despite the significant number of injuries:

“You wanna answer that question? (smiling)” — “Next man in, baby. That’s all we preach. It’s difficult though, obviously having guys step in, communication wise for the guys that have been around here a long time, you know, it comes second nature whether it’s the playbook or matching up routes, or run fits and stuff like that,” later adding “this defense is just going to continue to go as guys just stick together. And injuries happen, we understand that. We’re not going to use that as an excuse. But damn, man, we can’t stay healthy. It’s part of the business.”

To hear more of Hyde’s responses, including the late bye, click the video embedded below.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs

Unlike Diggs’ prior media session, Wednesday found HIM in a far better place, not having to field comments about his brother and his own commitment to the Buffalo Bills. Diggs began with “Happy thanksgiving, first off. Because I won’t see any of you. But I hope you eat some good food.”

Diggs also spoke about not having to play a game on Thanksgiving this season, stating that while thankful he and players understand the situation they’re in as professional athletes. Diggs also spoke at length about Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, calling him “one of the best cornerback in the league” and someone in whom he “has a lot of respect for” — and experience going up against twice a season when Diggs was with the Minnesota Vikings. Additionally Diggs spoke about how connected he feels to the defense, seeing himself as a defensive back at heart and a part of the unit even though he understands he’s not. Diggs also didn’t see last week’s win as a “right-the-ship moment” — rather finding it to be a “get-on-schedule, get-back-to-being-us, get-back-to-having-fun” opportunity for the team and himself.

For plenty more from Diggs, who met with reporters for nearly 12 minutes and radiated a far more positive vibe and energy on Wednesday, click the video embedded below.