McFarland sticks with Bills
The Daily Inter Lake
The phone did not ring - and for Flathead Brave alum Dylan McFarland last week, that was a good thing.
That's how the Buffalo Bills let McFarland know he had made the team's 53-man NFL roster.
"A few of the guys hanging around the hotel waiting for the phone not to ring," McFarland said.
He spent the day watching TV, walking through a local mall and checking the Internet to see who had been cut.
"I thought I'd played pretty well throughout camp and showed some good things, but you never really know which direction they want to head.
"I had an idea (I was going to make the team), but I wasn't positive about it. So it was a pretty stressful day.
"They decided it was my turn to get an opportunity," he said.
Three of the four hanging out together that Sunday made the team.
"That was tough. We were all excited and calling our family. You kind of feel like you're rubbing it in (to the person who didn't make the team).
"It's a lot of fun right now. It's kind of a relief."
The seventh-round draft pick from Montana even beat out a few veterans. Since the Bills kept McFarland, they had to cut Marques Sullivan and Ben Sobieski from the active roster.
Both were signed to the practice roster.
"I definitely must have showed something to have (the Bills) take a chance on me. I think that's going to pay off for them," McFarland said.
"I just want to get in there and start helping and contributing as fast as I can."
Right now the Bills have McFarland as second string right tackle and also backing up on special teams.
He's not sure if that will translate into dressing out for today's home opener (only 46 dress out) against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's preparing himself as if it does.
"I've just got to prepare like I'm going to play and do what they tell me," he said.
Right now, that means getting settled into his life as a Buffalo Bill.
McFarland spent the last few days getting moved into apartment - he's been living in a hotel - finding a car and just generally organizing his lifestyle as a Buffalo, N.Y., resident.
"It's been a lot for the last week, but it's starting to calm down a bit," he said.
McFarland notes:
- Highlight so far.
The Denver preseason game.
"Definitely, the first game was a highlight for me. To walk out and play against the Denver Broncs. They were my favorite team since I was a little kid.
"I played three quarters and we won the game. It was a great night."
Parents Mike and Mary were there to watch McFarland play.
"It was awesome. It was a great experience for me. To actually be standing out there and realize where you were. From junior high to Flathead to the University of Montana to the Buffalo Bills … I'm thankful to have it as a memory."
He was in on the opening drive that scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
"They ran my way a couple of times, had a couple good passes.
"I did some good things, made some good blocks," he said.
- McFarland's week.
Monday (Relax day) with a walk through and a long stretching session, followed by weight lifting.
Tuesday - Off (lift weights and rehab).
Wednesday and Thursday - Big work days. Get to Bills facility around 6:30 a.m., lift weights, watch film, have lunch, followed by 2 1/2 hour practice, more film, then home by 5:30-6 p.m.
Friday - Slower paced day with lifting in the morning, a shorter practice. Out of there by about 3:30 p.m.
Saturday - Short day with a walk through, film, then stay in a hotel for the night.
Sunday - Game day.
"There's definitely a place to be all the time. It's kind of nice that way. I kind of like that."
- Practice.
Team members are graded daily.
- Hardest thing.
McFarland has been adjusting to everything about life in the NFL.
He's trying to meet people, learn the offense, compete against better athletes (his term) and figure out where to live.
"It's been tough at times, but I got through that," he said.