ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. Bills
defensive end Lorenzo Alexander is ready to give rookie first-round pick Josh
Allen the benefit of the doubt based on how apologetic the former Wyoming
quarterback has been acknowledging a series of racially insensitive tweets he
posted while still in high school
https://www.billsprofanstore.com/101-Siran_Neal_Jersey.Alexander,
a respected team leader, expects his teammates to do the same and provide Allen
a fair opportunity to clear the air.He has shown maturity to own it. He wrote
those words. Henot using a cop-out, Alexander said Friday. I think the biggest
thing now is to earn the respect of his teammates by the way he comes in and
works. And when guys ask him, just being open and honest about it, he added. And
I think most guys will accept his answer based on who he is.Allen agreed when
informed of Alexandercomments, and is eagerly awaiting the opportunity.Twice
repeating the phrase as soon as possible
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Allen called it important to apologize for what he posted and show Bills players
who he is today.Itsomething that I wouldnt be afraid or ashamed of doing, he
said upon arriving at the teamfacility a day after Buffalo traded up five spots
in the NFL draft order to select Allen with the seventh pick.I put it on my
shoulders, he added. I made a mistake and I just want them to know who I am,
because once they get to know who I am, I think theyre going to like what they
see.Allen traveled to Buffalo along with fellow first-round draft pick, Tremaine
Edmunds. The Bills traded up six spots to select the Virginia Tech linebacker
with the 16th pick.The trades left Buffalo with just the 96th pick on Friday,
with which they selected Stanford defensive tackle Harrison Phillips. Helisted
at 6-foot-3 and 307 pounds and was a two-year starter with the Cardinal.
Phillips led Stanford with 103 tackles while adding 7 1 2 sacks and earned
first-team Pac-12 honors in his senior season last year.Phillips will have a
chance to develop in Buffalo on a defensive line that features two veteran
starters in Kyle Williams and offseason free-agent addition Star Lotulelei
https://www.billsprofanstore.com/41-Julian_Stanford_Jersey.Allen
has been the focus of attention since Wednesday night, when Yahoo Sports
reported the quarterback sent the now-deleted tweets in 2012 and 2013. They
contained racially insensitive language and offensive statements.He has
repeatedly apologized for the posts, while saying he was young and dumb in
parroting rap lyrics and catchphrases from TV and pop culture.Allen also
expressed relief in how the Bills stuck by him in making him only the
franchisefourth quarterback to be drafted in the first round. The selection only
happened after general manager Brandon Beane spent much of Thursday speaking
with Allen, his coaches and former teammates to be reassured of the
playercharacter.Allen acknowledged becoming emotional during a half-hour phone
conversation with Beane.I just really wanted him to know the type of person I
was, he said. I was embarrassed by everything that happened. Itsomething that I
wouldnt wish upon my worst enemy.Coach Sean McDermott said he consulted with his
team leaders once Allentweets became public
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while informing them of the possibility of the quarterback being selected.We
take these things seriously in respect to adding any player, McDermott said. And
when this came up, it went to another level.Alexander said the Bills established
a strong leadership group last year in confronting various issues from a major
roster overhaul to finding consensus on how to handle anthem protests. They
finished 9-7 to end a 17-year playoff drought which the longest active streak in
North Americafour major professional sports.Alexander said Bills defensive end
Eddie Yarbrough vouched for Allen after the two played together at Wyoming in
2015.I respect Eddie and his opinion, Alexander said. So I would be foolish not
to extend grace in getting to know this young man whocoming into our locker
room.It wasnt lost on Alexander, either, that the Bills previously welcomed
Richie Incognito after the offensive guard was out of football for 18 months
following his role in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal in 2013. Incognito
became a Bills leader before abruptly announcing his retirement this month.I
dont see why this situation cant be any different, he said.I think we have a
strong locker room. We have leaders who promote healthy conversation, Alexander
said. We will move past this. And well look back and it wont even seem like it
was as big as it was made out to be.