When the news that wide receiver Tyreek Hill had been traded from Kansas City to Miami became official, Leslie Frazier was in the middle of something.
Buffalo’s defensive coordinator, along with other coaches from the Bills staff, was at Buffalo City Mission, serving hot meals to those experiencing hunger or homelessness. He heard rumbles that Hill might be traded, but still had to confirm the trade was true.
“One of the guys mentioned it – I thought it was a joke. It’s for real?” Frazier said. “Wow. I would have never guessed that he would have not finished his career as a Chief. … I’m surprised to say the least.”
Fortunately for Frazier, in keeping up with all the action around the AFC, the Bills made big moves of their own this month. Most notably, they brought in standout pass rusher Von Miller.
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“Oh, you talk about excitement? Brandon Beane and Sean (McDermott) did a terrific job,” Frazier said. “He's a Hall of Famer as a pass rusher, and he's done a terrific job throughout his career. And now, for him to be able to come to Buffalo and help us to reach our goals as a team, it's exciting, very exciting.”
Since he was the second overall pick of the 2011 draft, Miller has tallied 115.5 regular season sacks. He's been a force in the playoffs as well, and the Bills believe Miller can give the pass rush the boost it needs to bring a title to Buffalo.
“We're looking forward to sitting down as a staff and just going through all the different ways we can utilize his talents,” Frazier said. “You want to get this right, because you don't get a chance to coach a guy like this very often.”
Outside of Miller, the Bills’ recent moves on defense were highlighted by bringing back former players Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips, along with new guys for the defensive line. Frazier knows it’s critical to keep pace with other teams, and he’s impressed with what the Bills have done.
“For Sean and Brandon to do what they've done just gives you more enthusiasm about what our opportunities will look like in 2022,” Frazier said. “We're not sitting on our hands and just looking back at 2021. We're trying to move forward. So, it gets you excited about the opportunities that are before us.”
Frazier was volunteering at the event alongside Matthew Smiley (special teams coordinator), Marc Lubick (assistant wide receivers), Jaylon Finner (defensive assistant), Kyle Shurmur (defensive quality control) and Austin Gund (fellowship coach). Smiley was promoted this offseason and Lubick is entering his sixth year with the Bills. Finner, Shurmur and Gund are new hires.
Wednesday brought a chance for the six to get to know each other outside of football.
“The new guys coming in have brought in a new energy. And it just kind infuses you as you're around them and hear some of their enthusiasm about being a part of the Buffalo Bills staff,” Frazier said.
“So that's all fresh, and it's all new. And it kind of is like starting all over again, which is what you need to do every year in our League. You don't want to live in the past. You’ve got to start a new one. Having these new faces just kind of puts you in that frame of mind.”
Alongside other volunteers, the coaches were able to serve meals to men from the East Tupper facility, along with women from Cornerstone Manor. The meals were prepared by Chef Darian Bryan of The Plating Society, with curry chicken, jasmine rice and green beans.
“To have the coaches they see on TV all the time to come in, and show them love and show them that they care about them. … It’s a good feeling,” Bryan said. “It means a lot.”
The Buffalo City Mission opened the Tupper Street location in March 2020, just before everything shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bills were unable to do community events in person for most parts of 2020 and even 2021. Now, Heather Mattiuzzo, the nonprofit’s senior manager of marketing and communications, is thrilled to have volunteers back.
“The in-person (aspect), it makes a world of difference,” Mattiuzzo said. “… We tried to find creative ways to do it, but nothing beats having DJs here, having Chef Darian here preparing this wonderful meal for these guys to partake in. It’s just really awesome, there’s nothing like it.”
Standing behind the counter in the dining room, Frazier and other coaches got to know their neighbors, joining tables throughout the meal. There, the Bills’ outlook came up frequently.
“Just the excitement that they have for our team,” Frazier said. “You hear it over and over again: ‘Hey, we're with you. We're behind you. This is our year.’ Man, it just kind of picks you up as we're getting ready for new year now with free agency, the draft and you hear the excitement in their voice – it kind of picks you up as well. So it's encouraging.”
