‘In a vacuum, Shakir’s drop is just one play in the first preseason game. Given his roster status, though, it’s easy to see how it can be made into a bigger deal. Shakir is locked in a tight competition for playing time at wide receiver behind Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis – the team’s established top two options at the position. Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty are Shakir’s primary competitors to be the third receiver on the field. A drop like that in that moment is the type of play that’s not easily forgotten.’
Archives for August 14, 2023
Bills Mailbag: Resetting the positional battles after preseason game No. 1
‘Bernard will have to play some serious catch up when he gets back into the lineup for that to change. At No. 2 cornerback, Dane Jackson made a gifted interception against the Colts and played the reps you would expect from a starter, but I’m not convinced there is a favorite for that job yet. The reality is, the Bills really need Kaiir Elam to win it, and are likely to give him every last chance – and then maybe one more – to do so.’
Matt Barkley is the king of preseason as he lit up the Colts Saturday
‘“You have to take advantage of them and it’s hard to not force things to try to make a splash, you know?” Barkley said Saturday after he completed 14 of 15 passes for 172 yards and touchdowns to Tyrell Shavers and Dezmon Patmon to lead the Bills to a 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium.’
Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Plays In First NFL Game Since Cardiac Arrest
‘Well, after all those conspiracy theories about Damar Hamlin after he had suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, after all those claims that he had a body double, the Buffalo Bills safety has now returned to playing football. Hamlin took the field in the Bills first preseason game when they hosted the Indianapolis Colts on August 12. And if you still believe that Hamlin has somehow been replaced by a body double, then that body double did quite well, totaling three solo tackles in the Bills 23-19 victory over the Colts.’
McDermott thought a few young players took step forward against Indianapolis
‘The Bills took linebacker Dorian Williams in the third round of this year’s draft. When he first got here, he was getting reps at middle linebacker, but he has since played and will stay outside. McDermott liked Williams first NFL action on Saturday, “I thought he was very physical, we have plenty to work on as does Dorian, but I thought he did a good job with playing fast and physical and you can build off of things like that.”’
Opinion: Observations from Bills’ preseason opener
‘Both Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford were on the field for about 30 snaps. The Bills said they wanted to get a long look at both of those players, but the limited action could also mean they’ve decided, at least for now, that Jackson is the best man for the job.’