NFL: CB East's Scott Patrolling Bills' Secondary
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - The Eagles will be in Buffalo on Sunday as they desperately try to turn around what has been a disastrous start to the season.
The Bills, however, are on the other end of the spectrum. Their 3-1 start has been one of the feelgood stories of the 2011 campaign to this point, and a local product is one reason for their success.
Safety Bryan Scott starred at Central Bucks High School East in Doylestown before going to Penn State, where he started for three years in the Nittany Lions defensive backfield.
A second-round pick of the Falcons in 2003, Scott is now in his ninth season in the NFL and says he and his team are having fun in Buffalo.
"It has been a nice start for us this year," Scott tells KYW Newsradio. "We were able to come out of the gate and win a few games, and with this big game coming up this weekend, hopefully we can keep that going."
While the Bills have won 3 of 4, Scott says there is room for improvement, especially with his unit.
"Defensively, it's been kind of up-and-down because the wins have been there but we still haven't been able to get done a few things that we've wanted to get done defensively," Scott admits. "Teams have scored some points on us, so we are in the process of just trying to rectify that and get less points on the board."
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The Eagles' offense has had its share of struggles in the early season, with turnovers and short yardage, but Scott says they are still dangerous.
"They're explosive. I had the opportunity to play with Mike (Vick) back in Atlanta, so I know exactly what he is capable of doing. They just have a bunch of playmakers on that team between him, DeSean Jackson, (LeSean) McCoy, they can make plays at any given time in the ballgame. So you really have to be disciplined in your adjustments and your assignments and carry it through to the best of your ability."
Scott's NFL career has taken him from Atlanta to New Orleans to Tennessee and finally to Buffalo, where he has spent the last five years. He's moved from cornerback to safety and even at one point played some linebacker.
But the journey started in Doylestown, and he remembers those days at Central Bucks East fondly.
"Man, to play Friday nights again! That was such a fun part of life," he recalls. "You know, when you are in high school there's really not a care in the world. You are just out there playing the game that you love to play with your friends and your teammates. The Central Bucks East Patriots -- that's such a special place for me. So, shout-out to Central Bucks East!"
Scott also holds those college days in the Nittany Lions locker room close to his heart:
"Lifelong friends. Going to Penn State, it was such a special place for me, because you really built a bond, a brotherhood with your teammates, and that bond carries far beyond once your playing days in college are over. Those memories are really special to me."
Scott has started two of the Bills four games at safety this season. He's intercepted a pair of passes, including one he returned 43 yards for a score in last week's 23-20 loss to the Bengals.
The Bills and the Eagles kick off Sunday at 1:00pm.
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060
