ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Ed Oliver still hasnt forgotten about the critics who questioned the Buffalo Bills for overspending when they offered the defensive tackle a in June, nor the vow he made Louis Williams Jersey shortly after signing the deal.I feel like Im going to outplay the contract, to be honest," Oliver said at the time. "Just sit back and watch.Three months into the season, the fifth-year player has solidified his role and validated his paycheck by nearly becoming an every-down player in anchoring Buffalos defensive front. Oliver leads Bills defensive linemen in having played 67% of this seasons snaps, and he's given the pa s rush an added dimension with his ability to pre sure the pocket from the middle.Olivers 6 1/2 sacks are already a career high, and tied for third in the NFL among interior linemen. And hes been just as formidable against the run in leading Buffalos linemen with 43 tackles.ADVERTISEMENT So, how do you like him now?When you get paid and people are saying, `Why you pay the guy? it kind of does something to you, Oliver said Wednesday as Buffalo (7-6) prepared to host the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) on Sunday.I just internalized that and just used it to fuel the fire. I know I was a good player. I know I was one of the best players that came out of my draft cla s, he added. And so thats mainly been on my mind, and just go prove myself that I deserve to be Landry Shamet Jersey talked about.Selected ninth overall in 2019 out of Houston, Oliver then proceeded to list the other first-round defensive tackles in his draft cla s, including the Jets Quinnen Williams (chosen third), Miamis Christian Wilkins (13th), the Giants' Dexter Lawrence (17th) and Tenne sees Jeffery Simmons (19th).When you talk about them guys, you need to talk about me, too, Oliver said.The past knocks against Oliver focused mostly on his size at 6-foot-1 and 287 pounds, hes comparatively on the smaller end among NFL tackles and inconsistencies.Days before Oliver signed his extension, defensive line coach Eric Washington challenged Oliver to be better at anticipating plays by thinking rather than merely reacting.On Monday, Washington praised the 26-year-old Oliver for his leadership qualities. A few weeks before that, the coach was crediting him for his consistency.From my vantage point, its a person maturing, a person Tobias Harris Jersey thats really knowing where to invest and how to invest, and investing with a certain level of attention to detail, Washington said. Hes taken a pretty significant jump in my mind.Bills center Mitch Morse said Oliver has a knack for pushing the pocket by always moving toward the quarterback.Hes not making a move thats going to be stagnant while moving forward, Morse said. His ability to go from lateral quickne s to vertical quickne s and then having the power on impact its just so fast.The Bills are 5-2 in games Oliver has at least a half sack this season. And Buffalo is coming off a in which Oliver contributed to the Chiefs turning the ball over on downs on their final po se sion.With the Chiefs facing third-and Patrick Beverley Jersey -15, Oliver forced an incompletion by tipping Patrick Mahomes pa s intended for Travis Kelce.Olivers only lament is wishing he could have made a difference in Buffalos lo ses three decided when opposing offenses scored the go-ahead points in the final minute or overtime. One play that stands out is Oliver failing to sack Ru sell Wilson on Denvers final drive that ended with Wil Lutz hitting a 36-yard field goal as time expired to .I take it very personally, Oliver said. Im here to outlast their guys and produce late in the game, which I feel like I did, but in a couple of games I felt I could have done more.What he takes pride in is also something that was misunderstood by fans when Oliver recently said the only thing on my mind is getting eight sacks, which would trigger a $500,000 bonus clause. It was interpreted as a selfish comment, with his critics overlooking Olivers entire statement. He continued by referencing Von Miller in saying: One of my main goals is to get Von on the board, get guys on the board ... creating team succe s."Oliver shook his head in dismay on Wednesday when reminded of the comment.Everybody has their own selfish goals, Oliver said. How does me hitting my sack incentive, how is that selfish toward the team, when individual succe s is team succe s?NOTES: The Bills opened a three-week practice window for rookie WR Justin Shorter to be activated off injured reserve. A fifth-round draft pick out of Florida, Shorter has been sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in August. ... Starting S Micah Hyde (neck) and DE A.J. Epenesa (rib) did not practice, and are not expected to play Sunday Avery Bradley Jersey .___AP NFL: