‘The Buffalo Bills’ defensive end was still trying to come to grips Sunday with the death of one of his best friends. Former Clemson running back C.J. Fuller was found dead at the age of 22 last Wednesday. Lawson and Fuller were college teammates, but their relationship ran much deeper than that.’
Archives for October 9, 2018
Notebook: Bills still kicking the tires on QB Derek Anderson
‘“Nothing’s final at the present moment,” Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said late Monday afternoon.’
Bills WRs join the blocking party vs. Titans
‘“We definitely had a lot of plays in to be able to get to their safeties,” said Andre Holmes. “We also had a couple plays where I had to block the end on those crack plays. We knew we were going to run the ball this game. Everybody chipping in helped us.”’
Video Review: Bills schemed up drop-backs to help out Josh Allen
‘The Bills did everything they could to make things easier for quarterback Josh Allen. He executed four bootleg play-action passes and twice threw out of moving pockets. That negates the pass rush and simplifies the QB’s reads. He ran three other play-action fakes on drop-back passes. Six of his passes were on screens, swings or quick outs to the flat. So 14 of his 21 drop-backs were schemed up to help him out.’
Jim Kubiak: How Brian Daboll put Josh Allen in right positions to win game
‘Statistically, Allen completed 10 passes in the win, but more importantly, he did not lose the game for the Bills throwing the football.’
What They Said: Bills coaches address win against Titans, Derek Anderson, competition at corner
‘First and foremost, he’s a team-first guy. A guy that’s been around, whether as a team-first guy or as a backup, a lot of football over the years. He’s got a good outlook on the game from an offensive standpoint and understands defenses. So there’s just a lot of value to it for where we are right now in terms of that quarterback room and two young quarterbacks that have been in that room.’
Rather than harp on Bills’ continuing offensive struggles, here are some positive takes
‘Allen looked to be in complete control as he orchestrated the first fourth-quarter comeback drive of his brief career, and he completed the only two passes he attempted. Both throws were as easy as could be, but they were right on the money. That’s something to build off.’
Bills expected to sign QB Derek Anderson, believing he can help Josh Allen grow
‘Anderson entered the NFL in 2005 as a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, but he never played a game and ended up moving on to Cleveland in 2006. With the Browns, Anderson became the full-time starter in 2007 and posted a 10-5 record in a year when Cleveland barely missed making the second playoff appearance since its rebirth as a franchise in 1999.’
Pollock: Bills won game but there’s lots to worry about
‘But the real point is that the Bills have major work to do offensively as they head into consecutive road trips to Houston and Indianapolis.’
Bills’ Sean McDermott using cautious approach with Josh Allen
‘”I’ve been around young quarterbacks before and to put too much on a young quarterback’s shoulders like, ‘Hey, go out there and win a game’ – that’s a little bit unrealistic,” McDermott said.’
Watch: Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen’s Week 5 TD almost identical to Wyoming TD rush
‘Sure enough, Allen’s 2016 run for Wyoming looked a lot like his touchdown against the Titans. Both scores saw Allen run to left, sidestep pressure and eventually dive head first into the end zone. To illustrate how similar the runs were, one Bills fan synced the two touchdowns up in a video. Check it out.’
Bills fans celebrate in parking lot after last-second win over Titans (video)
‘Fans celebrated in the parking lot, and we even saw one person break a folding table.’
QB Allen, Bills passing attack still lacks punch despite win
‘The Bills have yet to top 300 yards of offense, and finished with just 223 against Tennessee — Buffalo’s lowest total in a victory since managing 209 in a 14-13 win at Tennessee on Oct. 11, 2015.’
Bills’ run-heavy offense appears to be their way to win
‘The Bills ran 64 plays during their 34 minutes of possession time, and 43 of those runs. LeSean McCoy had 24 carries and gained 85 yards, Chris Ivory had 14 attempts and picked up 43 yards, Allen scrambled four times for 19 yards, and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud had an unsuccessful three-yard loss on a jet sweep.’
Anderson visits Bills, but nothing finalized yet
‘Mortensen also tweeted that the Bills had been looking at several quarterbacks, including former Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Landry Jones and former Denvers Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch, but that “the experience and familiarity with coach and GM has tilted in favor of Anderson.” McDermott and Bills general manager Brandon Beane were in Carolina for several years while Anderson served as the Panthers’ backup quarterback.’