By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
Buffalo and Los Angeles are more than two thousand miles apart.
Just about the same distance the Buffalo Bills’ offense is away from being the Los Angeles Rams’ offense.
While Rams wide receiver Robert Woods was in western New York, the Bills offense was stuck in the mud. It’s still trying to pull itself out, but quarterback Josh Allen is giving folks some optimism.
Woods is two seasons removed from playing with the Bills, who made him a second-round pick in 2013. The 26-year-old receiver doesn’t hold Buffalo in any negative regard, however, he did admit this week what most observers could easily peg. Going from Buffalo to Los Angeles has helped.
In his first two seasons with the Rams, he put up 781 and 1,219 receiving yards, respectively. Both higher than any single-season totals he had with the Bills. On Sunday, Woods will put his skills on display in Super Bowl LIII.
During this week’s lead up to the big game, Woods said the Rams’ gave him opportunities the Bills simply did not.
“I think the biggest thing, just coming from Buffalo was just having an opportunity to showcase this with the ball in my hands, whether it’s on the ground or in the air. But it’s really nothing against Buffalo, but just showcasing my ability as a receiver,” Woods said to the Buffalo News.
Woods added that the masterful offensive mind of Sean McVay, the Rams’ head coach, certainly played a role in picking Los Angeles as his destination via free agency two summers ago.
“So I knew that leaving leaving Buffalo and coming to the Rams’ offense would definitely be a huge change. Whether it was number one attempts or even 16, I knew it would be a change from Buffalo,” Woods said. “And just the scheme as well. Coming in this offense, McVay creates mismatches. He creates plays for his players. And, really, coming over here, he told me, ‘I finally get a dog to play receiver, put the ball in your hands, catch it in stride.”
Still, things were never a guarantee for the California native. Woods had to prove his skills when given the opportunity. While not the Rams’ No.1 target, a role reserved for Bradin Cooks currently, Woods has still proven any doubters wrong and shown he can hang near the top of the NFL’s receiving charts if given a chance. That’s exactly what he wanted to do and has.
“Just every opportunity, every team that passed me up even in the draft, free agency,” Woods said. “Just showing them and showcasing what I can do.”
Woods can add to the statement he’s already made against the New England Patriots on Sunday.