Tag: Dion dawkins

Dion Dawkins named Bills’ nominee for 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year

Dion Dawkins named Bills’ nominee for 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year

Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins is his team’s nominee for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The honor is described by the NFL  as:
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. The award was established in 1970 and was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame running back, Walter Payton. Each team nominates one player who has had a significant positive impact on his community, with one winner selected from the 32 nominees. Each year, nominees are recognized beginning in Week 14 with a WPMOY trophy silhouette helmet decal applied through the end of the season. In addition, all current players who have received this esteemed award are honored with a trophy silhouette patch on the front of their jerseys.

Nationwide and the NFL are proud to recognize these 32 players who are doing so much more than delivering greatness on the field. They are leaders in their community and committed to giving back.

The winner of the award each year receives up to a $265,000 donation to the charity of his choice, while all 32 nominees receive up to a $55,000 donation to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide Foundation.

The winner will be announced at the NFL honors following the 2024 postseason.

It is the third-straight season that Dawkins in the Bills’ nominee.

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Bills’ Dion Dawkins would welcome first-round bye in playoffs (video)

Bills’ Dion Dawkins would welcome first-round bye in playoffs (video)

To bye week or not? That is the question for Dion Dawkins.

The Bills’ left tackle joined the “Up & Adams Show” and looked forward to the 2024 NFL postseason.

Fresh off a 30-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the discussion about that foe remained with the playoffs in mind. Specifically relating to a first-round bye.

The Chiefs have grabbed that the past few years as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Kansas City then goes on to beat Buffalo with their extra rest.

Dawkins wouldn’t mind the tables being turned in that regard this year.

Dawkins’ full breakdown can be found below:

Bills’ Dion Dawkins on facing Jets: ‘The tensions are extremely high’

Bills’ Dion Dawkins on facing Jets: ‘The tensions are extremely high’

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins isn’t one to shy away from telling the media how he feels, especially when it comes to his thoughts on facing the New York Jets.

Ahead of the Week 6 clash on “Monday Night Football,” Dawkins was honest about the rivalry between the two AFC East teams.

“The tensions are just high,” Dawkins said in a press conference this week. “They talk, we talk. And we’re entertainers. I’m for sure an entertainer. Why not? … I like tension.”

“Who wants to play when everybody’s friends,” he added. “Let’s push ourselves.”

The Bills (3-2) will have to push themselves to get back on track Monday night. Not only is the team coming off back-to-back losses, but they have also lost their last two games at Metlife Stadium against the Jets (2-3)

The team is aware of their shortcomings in recent years against the Jets. They need a win to maintain control of the AFC East. With a loss, New York  would become the division leader.

Even though Dawkins has a history of disliking the Jets, what he does like is the great competition between the two teams.

“Number eleven [Jermaine Johnson] … he’s hurt. Like even though imma talk my stuff, I wish that he was playing,” Dawkins said. “I like great competition. I actually prayed for him the other night. I’m hoping for a speedy recovery so we can get at it when he comes back.”

While Dawkins is tossing the fuel onto the fire that is the Bills-Jets rivalry, this one will be different than in recent memory. Robert Saleh was fired as New York’s head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was named the interim.

A longtime NFL man both as a player and coach, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott is not taking Ulbrich’s appointment lightly.

“A lot of respect for him as a player years ago and then also a lot of respect for him as a coach, what he’s done with that defense,” McDermott said. “We look forward to the challenge.”

There’s a lot on the line for both teams in Week 6. Not only is the division lead up for grabs but both teams are trying to get back on track after setbacks in recent weeks.

The talking from players like Dawkins leading up to the matchup just adds to the game’s intensity.

Listen to the full soundbite from Dawkins here:

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Bills at Jets: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 6

Bills at Jets: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 6

The Buffalo Bills (3-2) will visit the New York Jets (2-3) in their upcoming Week 6 matchup.

Even with it being an AFC East clash, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Monday’s Bills-Jets contest:

OL Dion Dawkins vs. DE Micheal Clemons

(Getty)

Let’s be honest, this is all about off the field.

In the past, Dawkins and Clemons have had flare ups during games. It has turned into a war of words at times.

Most recently, Dawkins had a laugh on social media about the Jets firing head coach Robert Saleh this week. These two will be going at each other hard.

WR Keon Coleman vs. CB Sauce Gardner

(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Buffalo’s second-round rookie receiver has had a few moments in his career but not many. No big breakout games. The Bills need one and this is a tough task.

Going against the entire Jets secondary is difficult. Gardner is at the top of the list.

Quarterback Josh Allen will need a lot more help than he got from his receivers last week.

LB Terrel Bernard vs. RB Breece Hall

(Getty)

Like the Bills offense, the Jets struggled on that side of the ball last week as well. However, their issues have been going on for most of the NFL season. The reason why is easy to see.

It will be a full-defensive effort to stop a rushing attack. But Bernard leads that unit. When New York can’t run the ball, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been forced into mistakes because their game plan becomes predictable. That will play into Buffalo’s hand as their secondary is very good, too.

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PFF: Bills offensive line ranked as top-three in NFL

PFF: Bills offensive line ranked as top-three in NFL

The Buffalo Bills have gotten off to a hot start offensively in 2024, and their offensive line is being recognized for their part in the success.

Pro Football Focus ranked every offensive line in the NFL ahead of Week 4, and the Bills (3-0) found themselves ranked third in the league.

Last week, the Bills ranked tenth in PFF’s ranking. This week they moved up seven spots after Allen was kept clean on ‘Monday Night Football’ against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.

The Bills have scored the most points in the league (37.3 ppg) and quarterback Josh Allen has taken the least amount of sacks (2) for QBs who have started all three games.

Currently, PFF grades the Bills’ starting offensive line as follows:

  • Dion Dawkins: 69.4
  • David Edwards: 62.5
  • Connor McGovern: 65.8
  • O’Cyrus Torrence: 44.3
  • Spencer Brown: 63.6

PFF’s full breakdown of the Bills offensive line can be found below:

The Buffalo offensive line did not allow a single sack or quarterback hit in the team’s win over Jacksonville. As a result, the unit placed eighth in PFF pass-blocking efficiency score in Week 3. They have yet to give up either a sack or a quarterback hit this season and rank fifth in PFF pass-blocking efficiency after three games.

Spencer Brown’s breakout season continued with another strong outing in Week 3. The right tackle’s 81.0 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks third at the position.

Best player: Dion Dawkins

Dawkins has allowed pressure on 2.2% of pass plays this season, which is the fourth-best rate among all offensive tackles.

Bills vs. Jaguars: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 3

Bills vs. Jaguars: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 3

The Buffalo Bills host the Jacksonville Jaguars in their upcoming Week 3 matchup.

Even with it being an important AFC clash, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Monday’s Bills-Jaguars contest:

OL Dion Dawkins vs. Josh-Hines Allen

(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

While Hines-Allen only has recorded one sack so far in 2024, he’s still doing pretty well in for a good overall defensive front in Jacksonville. Pro Football Focus grades him as the NFL’s sixth-best edge defender through two weeks. Considering he is watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s blindside, Dawkins has to play well.

WR Keon Coleman vs. S Andre Cisco

(Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)

Each week it seems like a new player is stepping up in the passing game for the Bills which has complemented the rushing efforts of James Cook very well. This might be a good time to show why Coleman is a deep threat.

PFF is not the end all, be all, but let’s be frank: It’s never good when the football analytics outlet ranks you as the worst player at your position in the entire NFL. That’s what Cisco currently is. Get Coleman on his side of the field and send him deep.

LB Baylon Spector vs. RB Travis Etienne Jr.

(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Spector has the confidence of his team. He is going to make his first start since the postseason in 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs as Terrel Bernard (pectoral) is expected to miss a few weeks.

Even so, Etienne is a good playmaker. There’s a reason why Buffalo wanted to draft him years ago. Spector is not solely going to be tasked with stopped him, but when he has his shots at the running back Spector has to stop him.

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Left tackle Dion Dawkins is the face of the newest Buffalo Bills cereal

Left tackle Dion Dawkins is the face of the newest Buffalo Bills cereal

Buffalo Bills’ Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins is the newest member of the team to be featured on a box of cereal.

The cereal, called “Shnow Crunch”, is available at Wegmans and it is the first official Bills collaborative cereal ever, meaning the team’s logo is pictured on the box as well as Dawkins in his game day attire.

When asked about the cereal, Dawkins didn’t just promote it, but rather he saw it as an opportunity to show love to offensive linemen.

“It’s the first official Buffalo Bills collab cereal, so I’m definitely proud of that,” Dawkins said during a post-practice presser on Thursday. “As a lineman here in the league, it doesn’t happen. You don’t see that. I’m extremely thankful for the doors that have been opened ’cause it is super cool.”

Dawkins has been vocal about offensive linemen deserving more love in the past. The 30-year-old says he wants to inspire future generations by showing them that the “big dudes” can be recognized for their excellent performance on the field just like the quarterbacks and skill players.

“The cereal is cool and all but I look for what it is going to inspire for the future,” he said. “As a lineman… we don’t have an award at the end of the season… like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson… they can get awards at the ESPYS… [offensive] linemen don’t have nothing. I think it’s insane that linemen don’t.”

Dawkins has been an integral part of the Bills offense for the entirety of the Josh Allen era in Buffalo, and he continues to shine his light on one of the most important aspects of a football team: the offensive line. And, he’s doing it by being himself and being comfortable in his skin.

Dawkins had one final message for young fans before leaving the stand on Thursday:

“Don’t be afraid to be a big dude because us big dudes do have swag… and you can get a bag… it’s a beautiful thing to be who you are in your skin and that cereal is just a little reflection of it.”

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Bills teammates not surprised Josh Allen is a captain: ‘He earned it’

Keon and Dion on Josh as a captain:

Considering his position, quarterback Josh Allen being named a team captain for the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2024 NFL season might be thought of as obvious.

Not so fast.

Allen’s teammates were quick to say it’s no gimmick. Allen, who was given that honor alongside linebacker Terrel Bernard, earned it according to a few Bills players on offense.

Top rookie draft pick Keon Coleman has only known Allen a few months. That’s all it took for the wide receiver to be convinced. Coleman even referred to his QB as “big brother” while speaking to reporters.

“He ain’t get named the captain, he earned that,” Coleman said. “He’s a very vocal guy, he leads by example, he leads by communicating.”

On the flip side of Coleman is offensive lineman Dion Dawkins. He has been teammates with Allen since 2018.

In a natural-Dion way, he called Allen a unique captain and a lot of it has nothing to do with football. Allen is not a guy that just leaves a relationship at the office, he’s willing to put in the work outside of it.

“Some people would leave the building, ‘Alright, I’ll see my team tomorrow,'” Dawkins said. “Josh is one of those guys that’s like, ‘Come over, let’s play pickleball, let me show you a magic trick.'”

A trademark Dawkins analogy, but he added that he was “serious” about all of it.

Dawkins’ full Allen breakdown can be found in the WROC-TV clip below:

West Herr Auto Group releases new Buffalo airport Bills mural

Facelift:

The ever-popular welcoming people in the Buffalo-Niagara airport receive has had a facelift.

West Herr Auto Group’s mural right near the entrance to the airport has a new look. A few familiar faces are repping the company again in Bills quarterback Josh Allen, tight end Dawson Knox and offensive lineman Dion Dawkins.

But two others now join them: Bills legend Steve Tasker and… a folding table.

Check out the new look below:

https://twitter.com/WestHerr/status/1831009314061881523

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Dion Dawkins will cheer for Tre White after, not during, Bills vs. Rams (video)

It will be different during the game:

Dion Dawkins will be all business when the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams are facing each other next season.

But he does still have a soft spot for Tre’Davious White like the former Bill said he thinks the Buffalo faithful might have for him upon his return.

In Week 14, the Rams will visit Highmark Stadium. After being released due to salary cap restraints earlier this offseason, White landed on his feet in L.A.

Known as a fan favorite among Bills Mafia, White always loves a joke. During a previous interview with the “Up and Adams” show, White said if he picked off Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen that day, he thinks Bills fans will actually cheer for him… and there is that possibility considering the fondness for him.

Dawkins discussed that scenario potentially playing out. For him personally, Dawkins will be focused on getting the win.

But Dawkins did admit after the final whistle, he’d be happy for his former longtime teammate. He might even give him a call.

Dawkins discussing White’s return can be found below:

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