Archives for August 2017

'The Bills were hurt severely by penalties all game long and they had a whopping 13 for 91 yards after the third quarter alone and a total of 15 for 131 yards.'

'The Bills offense struggled from the start, with Tyrod Taylor throwing two interceptions in the first four drives of the game. The team, as a whole, also took too many penalties, accounting for 15 flags for 131 yards.'

'There’s no getting around, hiding, or excusing how poorly the Bills starting quarterback played. He missed throws, had others batted, and was sacked and intercepted multiple times each. It wasn’t a good night at all for Taylor and, subsequently, the starting offense. Taylor’s final stat line: 8-for-18 (44%) for 53 yards, no TDs, and two interceptions. His finished with a QB rating of 12.'

'Nathan Peterman, getting his chance to play with the 2nd team offense, picked up where he left off last week. He finished 10-of-20 with 167 yards.'

'They’re asking Taylor to be quite a pocket passer, and that hasn’t been a strength over his two years of starting, so we’ll see fairly quickly into the regular season if this continues as to whether he’s going to sink or swim with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.'

'But Mabin committed a pass interference call on the ensuing Eagles possession in the end zone gave Philadelphia the win as Byron Marshall scored from a yard out with three minutes left to lift the Eagles to a 20-16 win.'

'Running the second team offense, Nate Peterman came on in the latter stages of the first half and put together a field goal drive at the end of the second quarter. With 47 seconds on the clock, Peterman went just 3-6 passing on the drive, but showed great touch on a 22-yard completion to Zay Jones along the left sideline dropping it over the cornerback’s head where only Jones could make a play on it.'

'Boldin did not dress for the preseason opener and a lot has changed since last Thursday. Sammy Watkins was traded, Jordan Matthews was added, but he’s not expected to play. Boldin must begin to establish on field chemistry with Tyrod Taylor knowing right now he’s probably the quarterback’s most trusted receiver.'

'“It may be on the field, it may be off the field,” said Hyde. “It might be something as simple as where to eat at while at away games. I try to help these guys, especially the young guys, like Tre’ White. He’s going to be playing a lot, so I wanted to let him know how it’s going to be, and what he should expect. You know, just try to share my knowledge that way.”'

'Who steps up at right cornerback? Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier declared it an "open competition" for Ronald Darby's vacated spot in the secondary. With veteran Leonard Johnson looking locked in as the slot cornerback and rookie first-round draft pick Tre'Davious White on the left side, that leaves Kevon Seymour, veteran Shareece Wright and newcomer E.J. Gaines as the most likely candidates to replace Darby. Seymour is questionable for the game with a foot injury, but will surely be campaigning to play. He doesn't want to risk falling behind if the other two turn in good performances.'

'Rumor has the Bills looking to find their franchise quarterback during the 2018 NFL Draft. But hold up, Nathan Peterman is currently rising up the depth charts. The fifth-round rookie has taken second-team reps following a strong performance against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Peterman nearly completed a 14-point comeback but a dropped pass buried that. Peterman hasn’t been completely consistent during practices, but veteran TJ Yates, who Peterman passed on the depth chart, has not looked consistent either. But against Minnesota, Yates simply did not look good. Will the rookie lock down QB2 or is there some life left in the vet? … Oh yeah, Tyrod Taylor will start too… but we knew that, people.'

'"You guys are getting to know me well enough now that I’m more focused on our team," McDermott said to reporters Tuesday, the Bills' final day of camp. "I want us to go out and perform the way I expect us to perform."'

'Peterman was mostly impressive through training camp and in last week's preseason-opener against the Minnesota Vikings. But entering the Vikings' game as a third-stringer, he was able to take advantage of mostly bottom-of-the-roster defenders. Things will be drastically different against the Eagles, whose second-string defenders (and perhaps even some starters) will provide a greater challenge.'

'Yarbrough spent the majority of the practices in the offensive backfield. He was ultra-quick off the ball and showed excellent moves and superb use of his hands. Yarbrough took full advantage of the opportunity he had to work with the ones while starting end Shaq Lawson was injured. There seems little doubt he has secured a spot on the roster, as well as a regular spot in pass-rush packages.'

'Johnson fails to mention that he was perhaps the most frequently sacked QB in NFL history. I dare you to find a QB who took sacks more often than Rob's 17 per 100 passes. That's why Wade Phillips kicked a field goal on first down in the Music City Miracle, leaving time for a kickoff. He was afraid Rob would get sacked.'