EUGENE, Ore. - Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquise Goodwin spent the offseason running various slants, fades, screens and curls. His favorite? The ''go'' route.
As in, go to the U.S. championships this week and try to earn a spot for worlds in the long jump. Goodwin needs to leap about a yard shy of a first down Thursday night for a chance to make the American squad.
That's a tough task since these days he's spending most of his time brushing up on coach Rex Ryan's formations than honing his long jump form. He hasn't competed since the 2012 London Games, but figured he'd give it a try after receiving a late invitation into the field.
Should he make the team, Goodwin faces an unusual decision because the world championships are later this summer in Beijing, meaning time away from training camp. The long jump final is Aug. 28 and the Bills play a preseason game the next day against Pittsburgh.
''I don't think I'll mess with it this year. Maybe if it was the Olympics,'' Goodwin said. ''I don't think I'll do that (travel to Beijing) unless they encourage it and thought it was a good idea.
''Maybe they could send me there with some Bills gear? Now that would be cool.''
The long jump remains his first love and Goodwin just couldn't pass up this opportunity when chairman Ed Gorman granted him a spot given his history in the event. Former New York Giants running back David Wilson tried to qualify in the triple jump, but didn't make the standard in order to compete at nationals. Wilson retired from the NFL at 23 last August because of a serious neck injury. He's picking up the event again and may just be a factor by the Rio Games next summer.
As for Goodwin's chances, don't write him off just because his focus has been on gaining yards and moving the chains.
''It's not like I retired and went into something else,'' said the 24-year-old Goodwin who played at Texas and was picked by the Bills in the third round of the 2013 draft. ''It's not like I haven't done anything. I've stayed sharp, basically through football workouts.
''I cater those workouts to track-specific things, so I don't lose the rhythm I've always had to keep football and track in balance. I don't want to get too much on the football side and gain weight, so I'm as fast on the field.''
Goodwin was a two-time NCAA champion and seven-time All-American with the Longhorns, despite having to make the quick transition from the football field to the track. He earned a spot on the U.S. squad for the 2011 world championships in South Korea as a 20-year-old. Then, a year later, made the Olympic team, finishing 10th in London.
Football was his calling, though, after a career at Texas in which he amassed 2,776 all-purpose yards as a deep threat and a kickoff returner.
In two seasons with the Bills, he's hauled in 18 passes for 325 yards and three scores. Goodwin had a 59-yard TD catch against Kansas City in 2013.
At the moment, Goodwin isn't sure how Ryan will use him next season, but wouldn't mind some go routes to utilize his blazing speed.
''I love Rex. He's a great guy and a great coach,'' Goodwin said. ''I'm excited to play for him.''