Chargers rightly respect Bills rookie

NFL receivers who are fast and agile are easily identified.

Seeking a deeper vein of gold? Look for the greedy ones.

Greed is a virtue on Sunday afternoons.

Give me the NFL wideout who wants the ball the most. They all must run and catch. Give me the receiver who craves quick-screen passes or crossing routes that expose them to high-speed hits. Find me the pass-catcher who aches for the ball on third down.

A greedy man stirs up strife, according to Proverbs. He also creates first downs and touchdowns.

So it was Friday that my ears perked up when Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers, a 2013 Pro Bowler now in his seventh NFL season, shared his film review of Bills rookie receiver Sammy Watkins.

“He wants the ball every play; you can tell,” Flowers said.

Evidently, the kid’s eagerness is rare.

“You can see on film, he definitely wants the ball on every play,” Flowers said. “EJ Manuel looks at him. So, he’s been giving DBs fits so far around the league.”

Watkins is quick and fast as NFL receivers go. Six-foot 1/2 and 213 pounds, he also is powerful.

But among grown men, the 21-year-old is also asserting himself.

The Chargers will go against him Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It’ll be his third NFL game since Buffalo GM Doug Whaley spent two premium draft picks to get him. Despite a lingering rib injury the Steelers dealt him in an exhibition Aug. 13, Watkins has missed only nine snaps over two games. He burned the Dolphins for seven catches, 117 yards and a touchdown last week in Buffalo’s 29-10 win.

Flowers said Bills receivers Robert Woods and Mike Williams are playmakers as well.

“We have a tough task,” said the corner, who dueled Woods last year for the Chiefs. “We’ve got to be ready to come and play ball.

“But we’re a defense that, we feel like if we do our thing, that’s all that matters.”

Flowers is expected to play after missing last Sunday’s win with a groin injury.