Buffalo Bills: Williams waived / Tolbert #2 RB
By Connor Price
The Buffalo Bills plan to use LeSean McCoy in every situation possible this year. McCoy is the face of the offense and the team, but who will his reliever be?
The Buffalo Bills waived Jonathan Williams on September 3rd in the middle of the day. Williams was the long-time backup who was believed to be McCoy’s handcuff for the upcoming season.
Months ago, the New England Patriots signed former Buffalo Bill, Mike Gillislee. Gillislee was a monster when he came onto the field for the Bills. He acquired eight rushing touchdowns, and was part of the reason that LeSean McCoy could be so successful when he was in the game; he felt comfortable leaving the field knowing the ball would be in Gillislee’s hands.
Jonathan Williams was expected to play a similar role this season, but that is not the case anymore.
Williams is a former fifth round pick for the Buffalo Bills who played in eleven games in 2016 and rushed for one touchdown, per ESPN.
Enter Mike Tolbert. The former Carolina Panther has been successful with the team thus far, and will enter the season as the number two running back on the roster. Tolbert is deadly in short yardage situations which will be great to give McCoy a rest in those tough situations.
The Buffalo Bills have dealt Sammy Watkins, released Jonathan Williams, and lost Anquan Boldin to retirement. LeSean McCoy is just about the only thing the Bills have to offer on offense today; besides the likes of Tyrod Taylor and Charles Clay. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane are putting a lot of trust in players who haven’t had a ton of exposure with the Bills.
Players such as Jordan Matthews, Mike Tolbert, Patrick DiMarco, Andrew Holmes, and Zay Jones have never even played a snap in a Buffalo Bills’ uniform. There will be a lot of pressure on these players to mesh together and learn the play-book sooner rather than later.
Mike Tolbert is a mix of a true running back and a full back. It is not a pleasant sight to see the Bills entering the season without a solid option at number two, who can relieve McCoy of all duties including the passing game.
Then again, will LeSean McCoy ever leave the field?
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