Buffalo Bills strong safety George Wilson (left) pulls on the jersey of New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. New York defeated Buffalo 27-24.Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE
If one player best exemplifies the largely anonymous but surprisingly successful 2011 Buffalo Bills, it might be starting strong safety and team captain George Wilson.
The pride of Paducah, Ky., went undrafted after a solid collegiate career as a receiver at the University of Arkansas, signing with the Detroit Lions in 2004. After a short stint in Motown, he was added to the Bills practice squad, appearing in just three regular-season games in three years without recording a catch.
Before the 2007 season, he switched position to safety and his career blossomed. With 43 tackles and three interceptions in six games this season, the man Buffalo media has nicknamed "The Senator" has been as good as any safety in the game and developed into a key cog on one of the most surprising squads in the NFL.
"Most of our guys have some sort of a chip on their shoulder, whether they were a late-round pick, not drafted at all or had to endure some sort of adversity to be where they are now," Wilson said before serving as draw master for the upcoming Breeders Crown event at Woodbine racetrack in Toronto.
"Our guys use that as motivation and we've bonded over it. We're all pushing in the same direction with the same goal in mind: We want to win and get into the playoffs."
Few would have thought that was a realistic goal in the off-season, when the Bills were picked by most experts to finish well behind the New England Patriots and New York Jets in the tough AFC East. But a 4-2 start has many around the league believing this group has what it takes to return the franchise to the postseason for the first time in more than a decade.
"We have so many guys who are unselfish, have a positive team-first attitude and have a great work ethic," Wilson said. "When you have guys who don't care who gets the credit and buy into the team concept, the sky is the limit."
Although there's a long way to go, Wilson said the expectations and excitement are rising among the team's long-suffering fans.
"It just shows how much our game impacts the people in Buffalo," he said. "It's a blue-collar city and we're a blue-collar team so we have a lot in common with the fans. We're not going to shy away from it. We know as we continue to win each game is going to get bigger and bigger. We have to rise to the occasion."
The team's next test comes Sunday at the Rogers Centre against the 3-3 Washington Redskins. While some see the Bills Toronto Series as nothing more than one less home game for the Bills, Wilson chooses to look at it differently.
"We're ambassadors for the game of American football," he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity. I hope we can make a lot of big plays on offence, defence and special teams that will give the fans here in Toronto something to cheer about."
While the Redskins limp into Toronto with key injuries to running back Tim Hightower and wide receiver Santana Moss and an inexperienced quarterback in John Beck, Wilson said the Bills' focus remains on improving the consistency of a roller coaster defensive unit that is 31st in the league in yards allowed per game, but has nabbed 12 interceptions, forced five fumbles and scored three touchdowns.
"We've been productive, but there's still room for improvement," he said. "If we're going to make the playoffs we need to stop the run consistently and get off the field on third down. We have to minimize the big plays and continue to look for the turnovers."