Bob Lamb Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 That Was Then - This Is Now On August 17th, 1996 – the Buffalo Bills played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL exhibition game. This was the second game in the Panthers’ new stadium, Ericsson Field. Both teams were 1-1 in the pre-season matches. The Bills had finished the 1995 season with a 10-6 record and two playoff games (lost at Pittsburgh) while the expansion Panthers finished their inaugural season with a strong 7-9 record. The seven victories represented a NFL record and were aided by a hard hitting Carolina defense that finished the 1995 season ranked third overall. The Panthers looked to be the Bills Jr. in their first season as GM Bill Polian signed Frank Reich, Don Beebe, Pete Metzelaars, Carlton Bailey, Eddie Fuller and Nate Turner. Only Bailey made it to the Panthers’ second season. The 1996 Bills still had many of their star players from the Super Bowl years. The starting offense read; Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Steve Tasker and Thurman Thomas behind a front “O” line of Fina, Brown, Hull, Ostroski and Parker with third year man, Corey Louchiey expected to see a lot of action. Darick Holmes and Eric Moulds were ready for future starting roles. The Buffalo defensive front looked formidable and featured Phil Hansen, Ted Washington, Bruce Smith, Bryce Paup, Jim Jeffcoat and newcomers Chris Spielman with draft choice Gabe Northern expected to provide depth. Weak spots on the Bills’ squad were TE (Lonnie Johnson), fullback (Tim Tindale) and a secondary (Burris, T. Smith, Henry Jones & K. Schultz) that had actually improved to a 16th place ranking in the league for 1995 while giving up more yardage (3,864) than in the previous four seasons. Ted Washington anchored a rookie laden (preseason) defensive line consisting of Sean Moran, Shawn Price, Tim Colston and Juan Hammonds along with backup Ed Philion. Sam Rogers was the leading candidate for the ROLB position. John Holocek (IR) is out of the picture and Cornelius Bennett is gone so Marlo Perry, David White and Damien Covington are all vying for starting positions. The Game: The Bills achieved their first preseason shutout since 1980 and handed the Panthers their first shut out in 24 games. Despite Jim Kelly’s tipped ball interception on his first pass the Bills first unit looked good scoring on their second procession (Lonnie Johnson – 29 yards) for the third TD drive in four preseason drives. Bard Van Pelt (10-12, 108) and Todd Collins (10-11, 138) both put in solid performances and Collins seemingly lost the “happy feet” that have been plaguing him up till now. The Bills led 7-0 at halftime. Bills scoring in the second half: 1. Brad Van Pelt led a seven-play, 58 yard drive capped by a Christie 37-yard FG (10-0) 2. Todd Collins led a 6-play, 49 yard drive ending in a 2-yard TD run by Carey Bender. (17-0) 3. Collins followed up with a 36 yard pass to Henry Bailey (FA) (24-0) Cary Bender led the rushers 12-37 as the Bills only rushed for 94 yards of which 25 was on a scramble by Todd Collins. Eric Moulds caught 4 balls for 82 yards; Lonnie Jonson 3-38, Robert Coons 3-19 and Jay Riemersma 2-24 as the tight ends got a workout The Bills defense consistently stuffed the Panther’s running game while Shawn Price, Sean Moran (1 Int) and Gabe Northern kept Kerry Collins (13-22, 175, 1 Int) under pressure. John Kasay missed two field goals (47, 36) Post Game Observations (by the author back then): Corey Louchiey had an off night – OK for him – bad for his QB. Louchiey gave up two outside rushes that Todd Collins felt – including one sack If Henry Bailey doesn’t make the final squad – someone has screwed up. (he didn’t – went on to the NY Jets – to no effect) Jim Kubiak, a former Hamburg player got a few snaps as the Carolina mop-up but will return to Annapolis. (Later Arena League QB) Phil Hansen (shoulder) played his first game of the preseason while Bruce Smith sat out with a sore groin.
Rubes Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Very nice...thanks for the memories. But..."Brad" Van Pelt??
Cripes Posted August 13, 2006 Posted August 13, 2006 Just like Lonnie Johnson in the season-ender at GB that year, we just didn't see it coming.
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