LANCASTER, N.Y. — Bills fans across Western New York were anxiously waiting to see whether "Buffalo Joe" Andreessen would make the 53-man roster following training camp.
Nowhere was that anxiety higher than in Lancaster, where Andreessen played high school football. Andreessen spent five years at Bryant University, then played at the University at Buffalo last season as a graduate student.
Andreessen's rise caught the attention of local fans. He started as a tryout player during Bills rookie minicamp in early May, then managed to stick around through the offseason as the team entered training camp.
Whether he did enough to make the team when rosters were cut to 53 players at 4 p.m. Tuesday, it wasn't a sure thing. He did, and the Lancaster Legends football team documented the moment coaches broke the news to the players.
Momentum for Andreessen making the team surged following the Bills' second preseason game, in Pittsburgh, when he got the start at middle linebacker following an injury to Matt Milano. He finished with a team-high 12 tackles, including two tackles for a loss.
Andreessen got another in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. He finished with eight tackles in that game at Highmark Stadium.
The Depew native thrived during his one season with the Bulls. He started all 12 games at linebacker and led with team with 90 tackles, including 12 for a loss. He also had a sack, two pass breakups, and forced a fumble.
Now, Andreessen is preparing for his first regular season game in the NFL. The Bills host the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Highmark Stadium.
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