Archives for September 17, 2017

'McDermott should be familiar with what the Panthers do defensively, having served as the defensive coordinator in Carolina for six seasons. Carolina has Luke Kuechly healthy, and their defensive backs have had another year to mature. In a way, this defense is better than the one McDermott coached last season. The Bills will have their hands full with the interior of the Panthers' defensive line, which features Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short.'

'Cam Newton struggled in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. Newton only completed 56 percent of his passes for 171 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, Newton had three yards on six carries. Although Newton was off in Week 1, the Bills still need to focus on ways to keep Newton in check. The quarterback can beat you with his arm and legs so Sean McDermott will have to plan a near-perfect game plan to slow down Newton.'

'It's very possible that the Jets finish the 2017 season with two wins or less. Between Josh McCown, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, the Jets have the worst quarterback situation in the league. New York should be considered a lock to take a quarterback at the top of the 2018 NFL draft.'

'McDermott’s return to Carolina is not Lebron James returning to Cleveland nor Drew Bledsoe facing off for the Bills against the Patriots in Foxborough. Downplaying the entire notion that it means more than what it is revolves around the locker room, although some players have that mantra for their previous workplaces.'

'Carolina, which boasts a running trio of backs Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey and the mobility of Newton, has a much different and more versatile approach compared to the Jets.'

'“So it’s funny, like you watch the stats of the running backs and I’m up there with all the young rookies and young guys, so it’s just different. I like it. I really do. It’s interesting. See how the era has kind of changed. You know, each week it’s like, ‘what did A.P. (Peterson) get?’ Now it’s like, ‘is Zeke playing? ’Is he getting six games (suspension)? Is he not? You know, look at the numbers. So it’s pretty cool.”'

'Ramon Humber had a career-high 35 tackles last week.'

'I believe this game will be a lot closer than Vegas, and some other people believe it will be. The way these two teams are built — and from the way they performed in Week One — this has all the makings of a low-scoring, defensive, close contest.'

'“I try not to compare two players. LeSean is such a talented football player, very elusive, his success and his resume speak for itself. I think that’s a known commodity,” Head Coach Sean McDermott said.'

'“He can be moving one way full speed and suddenly change direction and be full speed,” the linebacker said. “It’s fun to watch and play against. You have to make sure you know what you’re doing. You take one bad angle or over run and he’s going the other way.”'

'“I bought my mom a house. It’s something as a kid I always wanted to do. Make sure my family is right and when I got the check I went to go find my mom a house.”'

'Bills fans are the best fans and that’s evident even when the team is on the road. With Bills Backers Chapters all over North Carolina, Buffalo’s presence will be strong and ready to represent on Sunday. Time to circle the wagons.'

'With weapons like Cam, Kelvin Benjamin and Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers offense should be able to do enough against Buffalo to win.'

'Play-by-Play: Kevin Harlan.'

'“Definitely, yeah I’ve seen a lot of tape on him. In college I probably saw every single run there is on him. He’s a heck of a player man, a guy that I look up to, and I’ve seen a lot of film on. He kind of blazed the trail for guys like us, he’s one of them. It will be cool to see him,” McCaffrey said.'