Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Greg Rousseau is already entering his third season with the Buffalo Bills after being drafted 30th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, Rousseau had four sacks in 17 games played. He had 43 tackles, which went down last season because injury kept Rousseau at 13 games played.
What didn’t go down last season was his sacks totals, where Rousseau amassed eight in three fewer games.
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Once Von Miller went out for the season in Week 12 against the Detroit Lions, Rousseau’s play seemed to slip too.
Training camp starts Wednesday at St. John Fisher University, and Rousseau has been preparing since the 2022 season ended.
"My sense of urgency is always up there," said Rousseau at the end of mandatory minicamp back in June. "For me, competition is every day. Competition is not only on the field, but just with myself, just me pushing myself to be the best player I can be."
Rousseau has learned some lessons as a young player in the NFL, and Miller has been a big part of that.
"I feel way different, because after my rookie season, I was thinking, I’m trying to be a solid player and contribute more than I did my first year. But this offseason, just me knowing that I know what I can do like I did early in the season last year, where I was healthy, just knowing what I’m capable of, I have a lot more confidence. I’m just ready for the season," Rousseau said.
Rousseau is an edge rusher, but that doesn’t mean you will always see him line up on the edge.
"I am doing some of that. I feel like it’s always good to be able to play up and down the line of scrimmage and be versatile," he said.
Rousseau has had Sean McDermott as his head coach, but now he’s also his defensive coordinator. The 23-year-old is already seeing the benefits.
"When he’s in that room with us, he has that defensive coordinator hat on and he does a real good job of just talking though everything," Rousseau said of McDermott. "He’s increased all of our understandings of the scheme as he’s saying, 'We do this for this reason, or do this because of this.' He’s been great to listen to him articulate the defense."
Another thing Rousseau sees is how different the defense is going to be.
"I think it’s going to be real aggressive, and not just the blitzes. Just our mindset and being able to play fast comes with understanding the scheme," he said. "If you’re in-between, you’re not going to be as fast or as aggressive."
No matter what sport it is we’re talking about, different players have different ways to set goals. Rousseau has his unique way too.
"When it comes to goals, I attack it as I want to get the most out of every lift, meeting practice. I don’t put numbers on sacks. I just try to win my 1-on-1 and beat the dude across from me," Rousseau said. "If you play like that, all the individual stuff will just come to you."
Rousseau, of course, will benefit from another year with Miller, but having Leonard Floyd here as another pass rusher should make Rousseau and Boogie Basham better players.
