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SPORTS Thursday 28 November 2019
Bills' Beasley not dwelling on past ahead of Dallas return

By MARK LUDWICZAK A victory over Dallas on
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Thanksgiving would do just
— Ahead of his long-await- that while pushing the Bills
ed return to Dallas, Cole closer in the wild-card race
Beasley is having too much in the AFC.
fun with his new team to "There's a part of you that
dwell on the past. wants to win it a little more,
Beasley's Buffalo Bills (8-3) maybe, I guess, but I want
will head to Dallas to take to win them all," Beasley
on the Cowboys (6-5) on said. "So it's really not that
Thanksgiving. It will be Bea- much different. It will be fun
sley's first game against his to go against a lot of guys
former team after spend- that I've gone and prac-
ing the first seven years of ticed against over the last
his career in Dallas. few years, so it will be cool
"I haven't really thought to do that. I won't be talk-
about it," Beasley said. ing any, like, serious (stuff)
"I've been happy here so to 'em but it will be some
I'm kind of focused more joking around, trash talk-
on what we've been do- ing."
ing here. There's no ill will or While Beasley prefers not to
anything. I still think I made reflect on the past, it's clear
the right decision, it was that he's been rejuvenated
the best move for me and I by his role in Buffalo. And
don't regret it one bit." it's a role that he could see
That's a different tone than Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (10) crosses the goal line to score a touchdown ahead lasting for a long, long time.
of Denver Broncos cornerback Davontae Harris during the third quarter of an NFL football game,
the one Beasley struck Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y. "I feel like maybe at that
earlier this offseason. The Associated Press point in time in Dallas I
30-year-old slot receiver would've thought, maybe,
was eager to move on ferent team," Beasley said. ness, in addition to his lead- key, core plays for us. We I don't know how many
from Dallas after speaking "The role is different now. ership skills. appreciate him here and years I've got left, maybe
out about his lack of op- I'm in a role that I wanted "The thing about Cole that we appreciate how hard I've got like one or two,"
portunities in the Cowboys to be in anywhere at that I don't think really people he works each day." Beasley said. "But now I'm
offense. Beasley signed a point in time when I was give him credit for is his Beasley admits that a win here and I'm happy and I'm
four-year, $29 million deal trying to decide where to football IQ is extremely over his former team would having a great time. Really,
with Buffalo in free agency go. It's been awesome. I'm high," Bills quarterback Josh be special, but he's more I'll play here 'til the wheels
and has been a featured getting to do exactly what Allen said. "The things that concerned about what it fall off. I love the guys, I
performer for the upstart I want to do here." he sees on the field, he's could mean for Buffalo's love the coaches. (Brian)
Bills with 49 receptions for Beasley has quickly be- kind of like a quarterback postseason hopes. The Bills Daboll's one of the coolest
525 yards and four touch- come a go-to guy for Buf- out there. He sees things are coming off their two coordinators I've ever had.
downs through 11 games, falo both in the locker room open before they are. most complete perfor- So it's been awesome."
Beasley is on pace to have and on the field. The 5-foot- "Concepts that he likes mances of the season — That feeling is mutual.
one of the best seasons of 8, 174-pound wideout has that he's given to Coach wins over Miami and Den- "I'm glad he's on our team,"
his career. repeatedly impressed with Daboll we've incorporated ver — but are still looking for Bills coach Sean McDer-
"It's all gone, I'm on a dif- his consistency and tough- into our offense and they're a signature win. mott said.q

Eagles star guard Brandon Brooks talks openly about anxiety

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two- no issues.' I talked to my go through," Brooks said.
time Pro Bowl right guard therapist about it, it started "We're no different and
Brandon Brooks said pres- setting in my head, 'Hey, when we have issues, the
sure of trying to live up to you've got to show ev- only difference is that it's
a new contract led to an erybody you're worth the front-page news. There
anxiety attack that forced money,' instead of, 'Just are a lot of people who
him out of the Philadelphia go out there and play. go through the same issues
Eagles' game last Sunday. No need to change what that we all go through. I
Brooks has dealt with anxi- you've been doing or any- just encourage athletes
ety for several years but thing like that.' That's what who do go through things,
has started 50 straight kind of brought it on. That's whether it's something like
games, including the play- just the person I am. That's a mental illness or really
offs. He recently signed my double-edged sword. anything, to speak about
a four-year, $54.2 million It's something that's always it. You never know who
contract and it weighed driven me, to try and be In this Oct. 12, 2017, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon you might help. You might
on his mind. the greatest at whatever I Brooks (79) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL be helping yourself."
"When I got the new con- do." football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. Brooks said he's thankful
tract, I tried to talk myself Brooks played only 12 for support from coaches,
down about it," Brooks snaps in a 17-9 loss to Se- ing the game before he through the same things teammates and fans. He
said Tuesday. "'Hey look, attle and had to leave. He exited. that everybody else goes plans to practice Wednes-
you're playing great, keep was vomiting all morning "We're people. We're through, everyday issues day and play Sunday at
doing what you're doing, and between series dur- human beings. We go that 40 million Americans Miami.q