Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - For a third-straight season, the Buffalo Bills will enter the year having had the same offensive line. That’s unheard of in the NFL, but it has helped them become one of the best-rated lines in the league.
Connor McGovern has spent two seasons with the Bills after three years with the Dallas Cowboys. He thinks it’s special how the offensive line has come together in Buffalo.
"Last year, we led the league in least amount of sacks, and it just comes back to being ourselves," said McGovern following Sunday's training camp practice at St. John Fisher University. "We all want to take that next step forward, because we didn’t finish off the year the right way. So we’re really feeding off that, and just continuing that next stride to make sure the whole offense is just one unit, not the offensive line. We’re ready to take that next step forward."
As far as the familiarity on the offensive line, McGovern knows it has helped that most of the personnel has been together for three years now.
"Dave [Edwards] coming in jumbo [formation] two years ago, so we’ve all been around each other. We know how each other move and interact with each other and the little calls, because we know what each other is thinking. So it makes things a lot simpler," McGovern said. "We’re not stepping on each other's feet, so it’s a lot easier to communicate."
McGovern moved to center last season, and he feels it’s gone well because of the inside of the line.
"It’s been a pretty easy transition, having two great guards next to me," McGovern said. "Both guys do a great job of communication and listening to what I’m saying, and last year by the start of the season, we felt very comfortable. This year is a whole nother level of comfort."
O’Cyrus Torrence was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. He was Buffalo's starting guard from Day 1. McGovern knew Torrence was a special player the moment he took the field with him.
"You don’t really see that much, especially on the offensive line. Usually it takes a year or two for guys to develop, but he did a great job coming right in and listening to what Mitch [Morse], 'Spence' [Spencer Brown], me and Dion [Dawkins] were saying, and just kind of sat back and took all the knowledge in and just let his play develop," McGovern said of the third-year guard.
"He’s just a natural freak out there. He came in with natural football smarts, then we’ve been able to elevate his football IQ overall."
The dynamic between a center and his quarterback is huge. Josh Allen is the trigger for all plays, but McGovern must have the offensive line in the right calls for the defense that’s in front of them.
According to McGovern, Allen has given his center more to do this year.
"Just continuing the success we had last year, plus he’s given me a lot more control within the run game, pass game, so he’s not as hands-on," he explained. "He has let me take a little bit more control, and the comfort with each other has taken the next step."
The Bills are next at St. John Fisher for practice on Thursday morning at 9:45 a.m.