When the Buffalo Bills signed Lorenzo Alexander last year, they were expecting an average, 'fill in the holes' player. Once a special teams guy, Alexander went beyond the call of duty. The Bills utilized him as a Pass Rusher and the rest is history. Alexander ended up with 12.5 sacks which was the third highest in the league. Buffalo just re-signed him to two more years with the team with a $9 million contract. The pass rusher shows no signs of stopping in 2017.
The peak of his career
At 33 years-old, nobody expected the 11-year player to excel as a defensive player.
His time with the Ravens, Redskins, Cardinals, and Raiders did not highlight his strengths. It wasn’t just his sack numbers that were like rookie numbers in Buffalo, but some other statistics. Alexander ended up being one of the Buffalo’s defensive leaders with 74 tackles. He forced 3 fumbles and also knocked down 6 passes. When Lorenzo lined up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in December, the pass rusher snagged his first pick of his career and ran it back for almost 30 yards. Alexander was crowned as the defensive MVP in the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl.
To peak in one’s mid-thirties is unusual for an NFL player. However, it seems as if Alexander has found his niche with the Buffalo Bills. With the loss of cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Nickell Robey-Coleman this year in free agency, the team needs Alexander to keep playing at the same high level.
The athlete seems more than up for the task and ready to take on the challenge.
Alexander gives playoff hope
Alexander was thrilled with his new contract with Buffalo. He says that he wants to be the guy that gets the Bills to a playoff berth this year. With Tyrod Taylor’s newly restructured contract and players like LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins set to fire up the team’s offense, the Bills have some solid pieces for post-season hope.
Alexander is a strong defensive piece, along with Kyle Williams, Shaq Lawson, and Jerry Hughes. With new coach Sean McDermott slated to focus on defensive pressure, the Bills should put up some stellar numbers for the team.
Here’s to your best two years ever, Lorenzo Alexander.
