Archives for August 18, 2017

'Two straight games of double-figure penalties is undeniably disquieting … those are Rex Ryanesque numbers.'

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'After two preseason outings, there isn't much positive that can be said about Sean McDermott's team. And the 0-2 record in games that don't count would appear to be the least of its problems.'

'So I went into Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles intent on finding an angle to write about aside from penalties even though the referee was the magnificent Ed Hochuli.'

'Fifth-round draft choice Nathan Peterman, meanwhile, made enough throws to get Bills fans curious.'

'"Any pick is a good pick, whether it's against the Bills or anybody else," Darby said after the Eagles' 20-16 preseason victory against the Buffalo Bills Thursday night.'

'“A lot of people wouldn’t change the path that they’ve taken to get here. I know for a fact my uncle wouldn’t have changed his path,” he said. “ … When it gets to the point that I know to walk away, I’ll know to walk away.”'

'Still, it's clear that Beane is looking down the road. He has a long-term vision, same as the Sabres' new GM, Jason Botterril. In that sense, it's not "the same ole bs." There's an actual plan. It might be hard for fans to accept, but it's better than making rash moves to appease the masses.'

'"It's 100 percent unacceptable," McDermott said after the game. "100 percent unacceptable. Good teams, as you've heard me say, don't beat themselves. Obviously we need work on technique. We're going to go hard on that this week like we've been attacking it. We've got a lot of work to do, that being one of the areas, but overall a lot of work to do."'

'"Definitely wasn't the performance that I would like to put on or the offense and team would like to put on. There's definitely some plays out there that we left on the field. Me personally, I felt like I left some plays on the field. It's also preseason. There's time for us to grow as a team, time for me to grow as a player and continue to keep building chemistry with the guys on the field."'

'Tyrod Taylor's job as the Bills' starting quarterback is safe, but he did nothing on Thursday night to make fans feel better about the offense after trading away Sammy Watkins. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews didn't play against the Eagles and the starting offensive line left much to be desired, but Taylor needs to take some of the blame for his 8-of-18 performance for 53 yards and two interceptions.'

'The Bills’ first-team offense was sluggish on Thursday night. Tyrod Taylor went 8-for-19 for 53 yards and two interceptions, one of which was thrown to former Bills cornerback Ronald Darby. He had another two passes nearly picked off and finished a quarterback rating of 12.0. Pass protection was certainly a problem for Taylor, but he had trouble finding a rhythm. His passes were coming out late, he was staring down receivers and the Eagles were bringing the heat. With Sammy Watkins gone, Taylor is trying to get used to a different looking group of wideouts. The early results have not been positive.'

'According to the sportscaster, Bills running back LeSean McCoy will treat his teammates to 200 cheesesteaks and crab fries from Chickie's and Pete's Sports Bar & Crab House following tonight's game.'

'On the Bills' first offensive snap in their preseason game against the Eagles Thursday night, McCoy took a handoff off right tackle and met Darby in the open field. With one cut, McCoy had Darby grasping at air and stumbling to the turf at Lincoln Financial Field.'

'"I know you think I hate wide receivers," said Cowherd, "and I do not, but I think they're the convertible sports car of America. They're great until the weather is bad and then you put them in the garage until next summer. And once-post Thanksgiving weather gets bad in the NFL, sometimes the vertical passing game shrinks and you gotta run the football, swing it out, whatever.'