ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — There's a new person who is calling defensive plays for the Buffalo Bills this season.
"Pretty excited, pretty excited," said Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich about the opportunity.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott is passing the baton to Babich in Babich's first year as defensive coordinator.
"He told me when he felt like I needed to know that I was doing it," Babich said with a laugh.
"I appreciate him, his belief in me," Babich added about McDermott. "Years ago, I think it was Micah (Hyde) who said, confidence is a dangerous drug. I believe that's the quote. Someone shows confidence in you, it goes a long way in anything you do. I'm very appreciative, I'm very grateful and now it's my job to take advantage of the opportunity that he's giving me."
McDermott was vocal about his faith in Babich when talking about the decision.
Sean McDermott: "Confidence in Bobby. That's the reason for it which stems from what I saw this spring, what I saw in preseason and with his staff, and how they've worked. There's going to be some inexperience there but we were all inexperienced. It's how you take those situations and how you learn from them and you use it to make you better. He's done a really good job and I've been proud of what he's done and I'm looking forward to his continued growth as he moves forward here."
Back in the spring, Babich said, "You're never ready until you do it" when talking about calling plays.
Now that the time is arriving on Sunday, the Bills defensive coordinator answered if he feels just a little bit more ready for that role.
"We'll find out," Babich said. "All I can do is prepare myself as does a player as does a player prepares himself for Sunday. You try to put yourself in as many situations as you can and what do you like here, what do you like there. Certainly, the preseason helped but that's a whole different animal in the way that we approach it,"
Babich went on to add: "It's one of those things that I'm going as prepared as I can possibly be. My hope is that the guys can play fast and free and the results favor us."