Archives for September 4, 2015

'But the Bills shouldn't give up on Carpenter just yet. In his first two years with the team, Carpenter has put up career highs in field goals made. Last year, he made six field goals of 50 or more yards. His performance since 2013 has made him one of the best kickers in the NFL.'

'“We did some of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen in football,” Ryan said. “That was awful. … Just some dumb things, so I’m not real happy.”'

'What’s more critical, in my view, is how they play against Miami, Cincinnati and Kansas City, teams they could be fighting for a wild-card spot. Remember, a home loss to the Chiefs seriously damaged their playoff hopes a year ago.'

'“Let’s put it this way,” Whaley said. “I gather information from everybody, from the running backs coach to the offensive coordinator to the head coach and the owners. I wouldn’t be in this position – especially with new ownership – I’m going to include them.'

'But the son of Phil, the former Giants star, didn’t look good against the Lions reserves, particularly in the critical area of decision-making. His passing stats were OK — 22-of-38 for 223 yards and a 74.8 passer rating — but he was also sacked three times and had a trio of fumbles, losing them all.'

'"I'm tired of missing field goals," Ryan said. "We have a kickoff guy and we miss field goals. I don't get it. So we'll certainly be looking out there. I don't know if there's any out there, but nobody gets this job by default. You have to earn your way out here. I'm very disappointed in that, and I don't care who knows it."'

'"No, it's not an easy move," Whaley said. "It wasn't. He's been the heart and soul of not only our team but the community. It's one of those things where we decided it something we had to do and especially the timing we thought would be best for him and obviously look, he went out to Seattle and everything. But to say I acted alone … that would be irresponsible for me to do something without informing the coaches, the owners, the running back coach, the offensive coordinator."'

'Ever since Ty Powell went down with a torn ACL, A.J. Tarpley has stepped into the backup MIKE linebacker role. While his adjustment wasn't completely smooth, Tarpley had a strong finish to the preseason against the Lions. He led the Bills with eight tackles, including two for loss, and looks like a lock to make the roster.'

'All Simms proved is that he is, and likely always will be, a practice squad-level quarterback. His stats were somewhat respectable at 22 for 38 and 223 yards, but his yards per attempt was mediocre at best and he looked like the type of quarterback you would expect to play the majority of a meaningless preseason game.'

'“It was tough. We played in a stadium we called the Old Rockpile and practiced in horse arenas among the manure, and parking lots,” Cunningham recalled. “We had to walk through the stands to go to and from the locker room. It was important to keep your helmet on and your chin strap buckled. Buffalo had great fans, but they weren’t too friendly during losing seasons.”'

'"We did some of the stupidest things I've ever seen in football," Bills coach Rex Ryan said. "It was awful. A football follies play, offside on a fourth down call on defense by a lineman."'

'Dan Carpenter connected on a 43-yard field goal late in the first half, tying the score 10-10, but a 40-yard attempt in the third bounced off the right upright. Carpenter, who may be on the bubble heading into final cuts, hit only 50 percent of his preseason field goal attempts (3 of 6). The Lions regained the lead in the final quarter on Zach Zenner's 3-yard run, capping a 37-yard drive that started after Simms' backward fumble.'

'"Certainly we’ve got some issues," he said. "Hell, we can’t make a field goal, so we better be looking for any guy who has ever kicked a football in his life. They will get an opportunity here. I'm tired of missing field goals. We have a kickoff guy and we miss field goals. I don't get it. So we'll certainly be looking out there. I don't know if there's any out there, but nobody gets this job by default. You have to earn your way out here. I'm very disappointed in that, and I don't care who knows it."'

'The Bills cut Jackson to keep Bryce Brown around — it’s that simple.'

'Matt Simms got the start at quarterback and went 22-38 passing for 223 yards, but was plagued by three turnovers all of which came on fumbles. Two came on loose center to quarterback exchanges. The third came when he was spun down by a defender as he tried to throw. The ball went backwards and was live and the Lions recovered.'