Ryan Groy proved his worth late in 2016 filling in on the Buffalo Bills offensive line for an injured Eric Wood, and now Pro Football Focus named him the team’s “Secret Superstar.”
Here’s what PFF’s Sam Monson wrote about Groy:
“Key Stat: Did not allow a sack all season from 291 pass-blocking snaps.
Groy started the final seven games of the season for the Bills, filling in for Eric Wood in the middle of the offensive line and playing largely well over that span, particularly in the final two games of the season against tough divisional rivals on the defensive line in the Dolphins and Jets. Groy didn’t allow a sack all season, and surrendered just nine total pressures – seven across those final seven games.”
After being thrown into the fire — and not performing all too well — in the wildly entertaining Monday Night Football outing against the Seahawks last season, Groy was a steady anchor for Buffalo’s offensive line, typically carrying out his duties in both the run and pass game well with very few hiccups.
His strong play down the stretch was likely the reason the Bills decided to match the two-year, $5 million offer sheet given to him by the Los Angeles Rams to keep him in Western New York.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old is Buffalo’s top backup offensive lineman and can play any of the interior line positions. At 6’5” and 320 pounds, in a pinch, he could play tackle.
Newcomer Gerald Hodges could have received this distinction, as his overall PFF grade of 82.4 was higher than Groy’s 79.5, but it seems as though the ‘Secret Superstar” has to be a returning player.