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The Buffalo News: Bills & NFL: Walker proves he can be intimidating on special teams

excerpt:

NEW ORLEANS — The Buffalo Bills have a “big” new weapon on special teams. Langston Walker’s primary job is starting at right tackle, but as he showed Friday night, his 6-foot-8 frame and long arms can be put to other uses.

Walker stopped an early scoring chance by New Orleans by blocking a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter of the Bills’ preseason opener against the Saints.

The play shouldn’t have come as a big surprise. Walker had five career blocks during his five years with the Oakland Raiders.

“He definitely has a knack,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “We were clearly aware of that in free agency. It wasn’t the No. 1 reason we went after him, but we were aware that he is someone who can be a benefit to us. The final score is 13-10, and he blocks the first field goal.”

Walker said there is no skill to blocking kicks. For him, it’s just being in the right place at the right time.

“It’s a lot of luck and physics,” he said.

Having a lot of size helps, too. In addition to being tall, Walker’s 366- pound girth makes him difficult to block in the middle. Once he raises his arms in the air it is like trying to kick over a tall building.

It’s a good bet that special teams coach Bobby April will be employing Walker’s services a lot during the regular season.

“I think anyone if given the opportunity would be willing to help out the team in any way, shape or form,” Walker said. “This is a team game and I’d say everyone here are team players, myself included.”

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