While 2017 will be remembered as the year the Bills ended their playoff drought, it was a frustrating year for defensive back Vontae Davis. A groin injury limited him to only 5 games before he was released by the Colts.
“Being able to come here to Buffalo with a young team, and help and try to contribute, it’s a blessing just to play this game,” said Davis.
Along with a visit to Buffalo, Davis met with the 49ers, Raiders, Browns, and Dolphins before signing with the Bills. Being a part of Buffalo’s strong secondary was part of the appeal.
“He’ll just approach the game a different way and he’ll want to come to work, he’ll want to put the work in, he’ll want to do extra so for him to want to play with us is a big deal,” said defensive back Tre’Davious White.
Davis spent six years with the Colts that included two Pro Bowl seasons. Before that, he landed in Indy after a trade from the Dolphins, a moment immortalized on the HBO series “Hard Knocks” in 2012.
“It was overwhelming, a lot thrown at you,” said Davis. “But as you get older, you realize maybe that was the best thing that happened to me at that point in my career because it allowed me to grow up.”
The Browns are this year’s featured team on “Hard Knocks.” Davis says he knows what new Bills wide receiver Corey Coleman is going through with HBO cameras capturing after a massive life moment.
“When you look back, you laugh at it,” said Davis. “With these guys I sit and laugh at it. At the time, it was like man, your whole life changed, but now I sit back and laugh because guys always bring it up.”
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has already praised Davis’ intensity on the field to the press. As a veteran, he wants to set an example similar to vets like Lorenzo Alexander and Kyle Williams.
“You’re being evaluated, so when you go out there you want to put your best foot forward,” said Davis. “Every day is important.”
No one is excited for 2018 quite like Vontae Davis.
