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Mario Addison is hungry, and that’s a good sign for the Bills.
For the first time since actually getting on the field with his teammates, Addison chatted via video conference last week. The Alabama native who was an undrafted signee of the Chicago Bears in 2011, then spent seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. There he became familiar with Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.
With his first impression, Addison made it clear that he’s in Buffalo to win.
“I learned these guys a lot through zoom meetings but when I actually got out here and ran around and have fun with the guys I realized that… I did have high expectations for this group but when I actually got out there and ball with them… these guys are off the chart,” Addison said.
Like his teammates making a positive first impression on him, Addison did the same for onlookers early in training camp. On the second day of the team’s full training camp practices last week, Addison stood out. Syracuse.com reported that Addison, who’s had nine sacks in each of the past four seasons, bull-rushed lineman Quinton Spain and had a sack on quarterback Josh Allen during 11-on-11 drills in the same practice.
With Addison’s addition to the D-line, the Bills have one of the deeper units in the NFL, which could be poised for another season among the NFL’s elite, as analysts and fantasy-draft lists alike both have them ranked high. What’s more, Addison spoke volumes in describing the role that Bills defensive line coach Eric Washington, another addition this offseason to the coaching staff, has made in his development and emergence during their time together in Carolina.
“Coach Eric Washington unlocked everything for me,” Addison said.
The Bills looked this offseason to effectively fill openings on the team’s roster upon the free agency departures of defensive end Shaq Lawson and tackle Jordan Phillips and their combined 16 sacks. It’s possible the Bills upgraded bringing in Addison. This offseason also saw the club bring in former Seahawks defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson, potentially someone who could fill-in for the loss of Phillips.
Jefferson is among Addison’s new teammates who notice his early veteran impact.
“Just watching him work, picking his brain, how he goes about rushing the passer, and some of the moves he uses. It’s pretty dope just to watch him every day,” Jefferson said. “I see the work he puts in and I see why he was able to play so long at a high level. Ten years in, he’s still playing and moving like a young guy. It’s good to see how he takes care of his body.”
Plus, there’s a little extra motivation for Addison in Buffalo via a recent signing in the division. His former teammate with the Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton, signed with the Patriots. Addison is enthusiastic and goal-oriented when discussing the topic of Newton in New England.
“I’ve gotta add Cam to my sack list, man. I’ve been playing alongside him for years. At practice, I couldn’t get too close to him. So now it’s time for me to capitalize on Cam Newton whenever I get the chance,” Addison said.
With a strong combination of young and veteran talent in rotation, opposing offensives have their work cut out for them facing the Bills this year… and their quarterbacks should get ready for the heat Addison plans on bringing.
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