Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Yoga makes Bills' Gilmore 'feel like a new person'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Talking with Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com recently, cornerback Stephon Gilmore said his ailing wrist from last season is "back to normal."

It seems he's added at least one workout regimen other than the gym to ensure it stays that way. According to Brown, the 23-year-old has taken up yoga to help with his rehabilitation, among other things.

"You just feel more loose," he said. "It’s hard to explain, but your shoulders and your legs, you just feel like a new person.

"I just started it this offseason. I’m starting to like it. I think it won’t hurt to keep doing it and I think it’s helped me out so far."

While Gilmore is still rehabbing to improve the strength in his wrist, the yoga, according to him, has its greatest benefits in flexibility. That's a luxury Gilmore was unfamiliar with much of last season, as he sported a club-like cast for a stretch during his time back and struggled in coverage because of it.

He stepped up his game as the season went on, however, and finished in the top 25 among fellow corners in reception percentage allowed, according to ProFootballFocus.

"It’s hard. It’s a workout," he said of his new hobby. "It’s harder than lifting weights because football players are so strong and so tight, yoga is real hard."

For Bills fans, that difficulty will hopefully pay dividends in terms of some more consistent play for their former first-rounder.

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