Undrafted rookie LB Jacob Lindsey had a high school connection with a Pro Bowler on Buffalo’s roster. No one knows if it helped him with a contract, but Jacob Lindsey is looking to make the most of his opportunity with the Bills.
By Jake Hamilton / Contributing Correspondent
In the professional world, they say it is important to establish a network of people to help further advance your career. That unquestionably applies to the NFL as well.
The Bills recently signed free agent linebacker, Jacob Lindsey. Lindsey played four years at Harvard University before going undrafted in 2015. He was able to participate in some rookie minicamps but was unable to sign a contract last year.
Prior to signing with Buffalo he had a workout with the club and there was someone he knew on the roster.
Lindsey attended the same high school as Pro Bowl center Eric Wood in Cincinnati, Ohio. Elder high school.
When Lindsey came in for a workout, Wood did his best to put in a good word for him.
“When he did his first workout, I saw him out there and I told McDermott ‘This is Luke Kuechly, just maybe not quite as fast but this is Luke Kuechly.’ Just joking around with him. I don’t know if he’d like those expectations put on him but I did tell coach that.” Wood said smiling.
Whether it had an impact or not only coach McDermott and his coaching staff know, but since earning a contract, Wood has helped Lindsey get acclimated.
“He’s helped me with getting to know the NFL a little bit and also Buffalo,” said Lindsey. “How to adjust and basically just the expectations for me as a rookie.”
Although they did not both officially meet until Lindsey arrived in Buffalo, sharing an alma mater was important to Eric Wood.
With Lindsey unable to latch on with a team last year he was able to participate in the Bills rookie minicamp, an invaluable introduction to executing plays on the field before the veterans come in for OTA practices.
“It just helps you get oriented to the urgency,” Lindsey said. “Learning the playbook and all that stuff, but also team camaraderie. Getting to know the other rookies and being together with them and having to make that big jump with those guys.”
Transitioning from college to the NFL is challenging for everyone regardless or draft status or who you know.
“The terminology is all-new. It’s something that is very new to me and the breadth of everything, it’s just a different game coming to the NFL. So, that’s something you need to put the work in and you got to put in extra hours at night. You have to go to bed with your iPad.” Lindsey said.
While at Harvard, Lindsey was a productive piece to the Crimson defense. He was a three-year starter for them where he totaled 185 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.
In OTA practices, Lindsey is running with the second team defense at middle linebacker where he is getting plenty of snaps to help better his game. With Reggie Raglandexpected to come back healthy soon, Lindsey is only concerned with how he’s performing, not the depth chart.
“I’m not worried about any of that right now,” he said. “I’m worried about lining up right, playing really hard and hustling to the ball. Just doing everything they ask for right now.”
At 6-2, 220 the linebacker hasn’t played middle linebacker exclusively.
“They had me going at WILL (weak side linebacker). They moved me around a little bit in the mini-camp so I was playing both spots. We will see what happens going forward.” Lindsey said.
Versatility is a valuable component in today’s NFL game. Being able to play multiple positions on defense will only enhance Lindsey’s chances in stealing a roster spot. But Lindsey has two other aspects to his game that he thinks will help too.
“I think drive and hustle,” he said. “I think a lot of that is contagious. I hope that I’m able to work hard and push teammates around me. Focus on the little things and do all the intangible things that are going to help us win playoff games and hopefully a championship one day.”