ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Building a connection with the players around him has always been important to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Even when he was in high school in Firebaugh, California, Allen would gather his wide receivers and running backs to practice in the summer. The idea came from something his offensive coordinator Mike Martinez told him -- to prioritize the "before and after," being there for his teammates between the plays.
Allen took that idea and began initiating extra work, including staying after the unofficial practice, to repeat routes. There were occasions when the receivers wanted to go home, but Allen would ask them to stay, to also get in the work.