EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Zion Logue wanted to prove to everyone Sunday at MetLife Stadium he's more talented than he showed in his two games with the Buffalo Bills last season.
Those two games bothered Logue for months. He rewatched each of those 36 defensive snaps while preparing this offseason for his second NFL training camp, and teammates noticed a difference in the 24-year-old defensive tackle when he reported to St. John Fisher University last month.
Buffalo Bills NY Jets NFL Football
Bills defensive tackle Zion Logue celebrates a sack on New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields during the first half Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Logue's work ethic was relentless. He never took a snap off during practice and looked determined to make the 53-man roster. Though Logue landed on the practice squad, he showed Sunday in the Bills' 30-10 win over the Jets that he's a different player than the last time he was on the field for them in the regular season.
"Those games didn't show who I am," he told The Buffalo News. "I knew I was capable of more, and I was eager to prove it."
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Logue had just one tackle, but he and Greg Rousseau combined to sack Jets quarterback Justin Fields for a 10-yard loss on New York's fourth drive of the game. They punted to the Bills two plays later, and James Cook's 44-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive gave Buffalo a 20-0 lead with nine minutes left in the second quarter.
Logue was elevated from the practice squad Saturday because Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver couldn't play through an ankle sprain that occurred three days after he had six tackles, including three for a loss, in Buffalo's 41-40 come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
The Bills have two other defensive tackles on their practice squad, including veteran Jordan Phillips, but they called on Logue to face an offense that totaled 394 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Steelers. He didn't want to take credit for the sack, though. Logue was quick to note that backup edge rusher Javon Solomon forced Fields to try to run toward Logue and Rousseau. Logue also batted down a pass by Fields to running back Breece Hall in the fourth quarter.
The Bills had high expectations for Logue. He had some impressive plays in the preseason, including one in the opener against the Giants. Logue drove the center back 3 yards and tackled the running back for a loss. He may not have to wait as long for his next opportunity, either.
Oliver wasn't using a scooter to navigate the Bills' practice facility Friday, but it seems unlikely that he'll be ready to face the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night in Week 3.
"I wasn’t surprised," Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones said of Logue. "I know how hard these guys work, especially Zion. He came in with a different mindset this year with energy and the way he approached practice. It paid off for him."
Bishop gets first sack
In the fourth quarter, after the Jets converted a fourth-and-2, Bills safety Cole Bishop made sure to stop any New York momentum.
“Blitzed to the boundary side, so, it was me going. Came out free, so, was able to get him down,” Bishop said.
Bishop brought down Jets backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor for a loss of 10. Three plays later, the Jets were forced to punt. It marked Bishop’s first career sack.
“It’s exciting,” Bishop said. “Haven’t gotten a sack yet in the NFL, so it was cool.”
The Bills logged four sacks Sunday.
Bishop finished the day with five total tackles and the 10-yard sack. The second-year safety said his teammates were quick to celebrate with him.
“Everybody was excited, I was excited,” Bishop said. “Just keep building.”
Old vs. new
Former Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who was traded from the Vikings to the Jets shortly before the start of the regular season, served as a captain for his new team against his old team. Phillips finished with four total tackles (one solo, three assisted) in the loss.
Samuel inactive again
Veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel was a healthy inactive for the second straight week, while a trio of rookies – safety Jordan Hancock, offensive tackle Chase Lundt and defensive end Landon Jackson – were also inactive for the second straight week. Hancock was questionable for the game because of a shoulder injury that popped up on the injury report late in the practice week.
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