Tony Steward has been impressive with the Bills

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Mon Aug 24 14:47:24 GMT-04:00 2015

Former Clemson linebacker Tony Steward Tony Steward
Linebacker (2011 - 2014)
#7 6-, 235
Hastings, FL
View Full Profile is putting his best foot forward to try to make the Buffalo Bills' roster for the upcoming NFL season.

Steward will be getting more reps at inside linebacker with the loss of linebacker Ty Powell to a season-ending knee injury.

Bills' head coach Rex Ryan has been impressed with the play of Steward.

"[Steward] had by far and away his best game this past week [against Cleveland]," Ryan said via buffalobills.com. "We’ve thrown a lot at this young man."

Steward has been able to play much faster after cutting down on some of the early mistakes in camp.

"Earlier [in training camp], it was a little bit rough on me, but now I think that since I’ve been in it for a little while, I’m able to get it down, and I’m playing a lot faster, a lot better,” Steward said. “Bobby April, my coach, is doing a good job of coaching me and helping me correct mistakes that I make. So each day I’m just trying to get better.”

Steward was drafted in the 6th round (#188 overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 2015 NFL Draft. It was the first of two sixth-round picks by the Bills.

"I got drafted, and it felt good, but that was just the start," Steward said. "That was just getting the foot in the door,” he said. “Now I’m just doing what I can to make sure I stay in. So I’m just trying to work every day and make sure that I do enough to make the team and more."

Steward had 141 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 14 quarterback pressures at Clemson. He battled back from two ACL injuries to become a solid Clemson contributor and now an NFL player.

The two-time Clemson captain helped the 2014 Tigers lead the nation in total defense, pass efficiency defense, fewest first downs allowed, tackles for loss, tackles for loss yardage, sack yardage, third down defense, fewest yards for pass attempt, fewest yards for play allowed and fewest plays 10+ yards allowed.

Tony Steward