By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
No doubt about it, your best source for information on new Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey, aside from the man himself, is Derek Anderson.
The 35-year-old backup QB for Josh Allen spent time with Dorsey, 37, on two NFL rosters. From 2006-08, the two played on the Cleveland Browns. Then from 2013-17, Dorsey was a Carolina Panthers’ coach while Anderson was still suiting up as Cam Newton’s backup.
While one is still playing and the other is coaching with the Bills now, both have one focal point: Allen.
With all Anderson’s experience in mind with the new QB coach, he recently told the team’s website exactly how he believes he’ll help Allen in his second season.
“He’s very detail-oriented,” Anderson said. “He understands the game at an elite level. Even if there’s a thing he doesn’t understand he’ll get an answer for you. He relates well with players in the room. He helped Cam a ton.”
While mentioning he witnessed Anderson improve a quarterback, Anderson also credited Dorsey with personal improvement. In 2007, some may forget that Anderson was a Pro Bowl QB. Dorsey helped him get there, per Anderson.
“He’s always been a great source for me just to lean on,” Anderson said. “When I was playing my best, he was a guy in the room most of the time with me watching tape and bouncing things off me. He was helping me and was a huge factor in 2007 when I had my best season.”
With Dorsey and Anderson on board, Allen will need to make significant improvements as a passer heading into his sophomore season. Adding some help around him will help Allen too, but he must improve from his 52.8 completion percentage as a rookie if the Bills are going to take a step forward in 2019.
Allen’s proven himself as a runner, which isn’t a bad thing at all. But imagine the deadly combo for opposing defenses if Allen can make strides as a passer next season under the guidance of Dorsey and Anderson.