Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for August 10, 2019

Ex-rugby star Christian Wade’s touchdown run is lasting memory from Bills’ win

‘“Big congrats to him,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “You saw how we reacted on the sidelines. We all have an affinity for this kid and what he’s been through and the challenges he’s been through that go along with learning the game of football. He got an opportunity and he made the most out of it. That was one of the coolest experiences of my football career, and I wasn’t even on the field. It was awesome to be a part of that.”’

3 up, 3 down following Bills’ preseason win over Colts

‘QB Matt Barkley: The Bills’ backup quarterback was solid in leading a pair of touchdown drives. Barkley finished the game 9 of 14 for 126 yards, one touchdown and a 117.0 passer rating. There is comfort for the Bills in knowing that Barkley is behind starter Josh Allen.’

Christian Wade had an epic moment as he scored a touchdown on his first play for Bills

‘“The quarterback gets the call, and then he says the play and I’m trying to think about where I’m lining up, who do I have to protect the quarterback from, and what’s my route,” said following the Buffalo Bills’ 24-16 preseason-opening victory over Indianapolis. “You think of all that stuff in a split second, and then break the huddle and line up and try to ID the linebacker, ID the safety, try to look at the front, and they snap the ball and you’re out.”’

Who is Christian Wade and how did he star in the Bills’ win over the Colts?

‘“(The hole) opened up (and) I knew where I was going even before the ball came because they overloaded one side,” Wade explained. “I was like, ‘I’m definitely going right there.’ When the ball came, I was off to the races and looking up at the screens to see if any of the linebackers or if anyone was coming up behind me. I know you have the best athletes in the world here, just as fast as any running backs and wide receivers. So I was making sure that I took my tail into the end zone.”’

The stories behind two of the unlikeliest NFL touchdown scorers

‘He’d never played American football before the spring. Yet on his first play of his first football game Thursday night, Wade took a handoff from third-string Bills quarterback Tyree Jackson at New Era Field, made a beautiful cutback to the right, burst through a hole created by a fabulous seal block by newly signed right tackle Jarron Jones, flew past Indianapolis Colts safety Derrick Kindred, and was gone — 65 yards for a touchdown, with 9:28 left in Buffalo’s 24-16 win.’

Saturday’s Philadelphia Coverage

Eagles trade for Bills defensive end Eli Harold: 3 instant takeaways, trade details | What did they give up? (South Jersey Times)
Eagles trade Ryan Bates to Buffalo Bills for Eli Harold (Allentown Morning Call)
Eagles land former 49ers third-round draft pick Eli Harold from Bills, adding to pass-rushing depth (CBS Sports)
Eagles Acquire DE Eli Harold in Trade With Bills, Send OL Ryan Bates to Buffalo (SI)
Eagles trade for Eli Harold, send Ryan Bates to Bills (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
Eagles acquire DE Eli Harold from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for T Ryan Bates (PhiladelphiaEagles.com)

Eagles Acquire Eli Harold In Trading Ryan Bates To Bills

‘The trade on Friday continues Buffalo’s offseason-long overhaul of its offensive line and addresses an injury depleted unit. LaAdrian Waddle is out with a torn right quadriceps and Jeremiah Sirles was released after sustaining a foot injury before the start of training camp.’

Bills trade DE Harold to Eagles for OT Bates

‘Bates signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State this offseason after starting 12 games for the Nittany Lions in 2018. His ability to play both tackle positions was appealing to the Bills after they placed “swing” tackle LaAdrian Waddle on injured reserve earlier this week with a torn quadriceps muscle.’

Former rugby star dazzles Bills with long touchdown run in 2019 preseason debut

‘Wade is still considered a long shot to make the Bills roster, based on all the veteran players the franchise added in to revamp the running back position. The Bills added Frank Gore this offseason, creating some competition for LeSean McCoy. Gore, heading into his 15th NFL season at age 36, finished with 156 carries for 722 yards and no touchdowns last season, but his 4.6 yards per carry average was his highest since 2012, the fourth of five Pro Bowl appearances.’

Bills’ Thompson is solidfying his bid to be the top backup behind Matt Milano

‘In the few games I’ve seen Thompson in and during training camp, this is a guy that doesn’t get caught out of position. Against the Colts, he stayed home and stuffed two different runs. He said it’s how they all play on defense, “I’m just constantly trying to improve and trusting my teammates to be in the right spot and not getting outside of my gap and just focusing on just doing my job.”’

Bills acquire OL Bates in trade with Eagles

‘It might be an indication the team wants to keep Cody Ford at guard and not have to have him continue to get reps at tackle, so he can focus on one position. He played both spots on Thursday night.’

Capaccio: Analyzing Cody Ford’s play at guard

‘What I was most impressed with was Ford’s awareness, which I noted a couple of times. He had a very good understanding if where defenders were going from, and who to help and when to do it. He never looked lost or searching for answers. He’s a really strong guy and that certainly comes out when he gets his hands on a defensive player and can just lock him out or drive him, which he did several times. Where I thought he struggled was when he was trying to read the defensive tackle at the snap, causing him to be slower to react to the defender’s first move, putting him on the defensive and at a disadvantageous position.’

Bills Trade For Eagles OL Ryan Bates

‘Bates filled the role of both left and right tackle for the Nittany Lions. In training camp with the Eagles, Bates was working with the third team on the OL.’

Jarron Jones makes his debut as a Bills player during first preseason game

‘“I felt relaxed soon as I went in,” said Jones. “It was easy for me to just calm my nerves and just play. I’ve learned from so many different coaches, learned from so many different players. Coaches run different stuff but in general terms, they run the same thing. Once you slow down and get used to what you’re learning it’s kind of easy to put it all together.”’

Quick Hits: Cody Ford impresses head coach in preseason debut

‘“I liked the way that he played,” said head coach Sean McDermott, who was generally pleased with his starting five up front Thursday night. “I liked the way Ty (Nsekhe) played as well outside, when Cody was inside. Jon (Feliciano) and Quinton Spain did some good things as well as Dion (Dawkins), so I thought the first five did some good things in there.’

Christian Wade creates an inspirational moment with his first NFL touchdown run

‘“One of the coolest moments of my football career, Christian Wade taking that to the house on his first NFL play,” Josh Allen said. “Big congrats to him. You saw how we reacted on the sideline. We all have an affinity for him, what he’s been through and the challenge he’s been going through trying to learn the game of football and he gets an opportunity and he makes the most of it. I wasn’t even on the field and it was just awesome.”’