‘Buffalo needed a “franchise quarterback” and, after two seasons, we have no idea whether Allen is it. Indeed, following his incredibly uneven performance on Saturday, the answer could well be “He isn’t.”’
Archives for January 6, 2020
Bills prepare for inevitable change to come after playoff loss
‘“There’s nothing you can really do to ease that kind of pain,” center Mitch Morse told reporters as the Bills went through exit physicals and cleaned out their lockers at One Bills Drive. “Such a tight game and it doesn’t go the way you want it to. I’m real proud to be a part of this group, real proud to be part of this team and the unfortunate thing is now is the last time that this team, this group of dudes, is going to go out and compete.”’
Too soon to conclude Josh Allen isn’t Bills’ franchise QB answer
‘Another of his nasty habits is being reckless when he runs and throws. On Saturday, he fumbled twice, losing the second to set up a Texans field goal. He nearly threw a pick-six and another pass that should have been intercepted. He took ill-advised sacks.’
Don’t blame the calls: A look at key plays Bills offense failed to make
‘Here’s an assessment of some key offensive plays that went wrong. The Bills might have won if any one of them went right.’
Deshaun Watson foiled Bills blitzing tactics
‘Too bad Matt Milano missed on the last blitz of Watson. Milano was in the middle of the action all day. His hurry caused Murphy’s first sack, and his good coverage helped create Murphy’s second sack. Milano also dogged Watson for a hurry on third down on Houston’s first OT drive. Tremaine Edmunds also had a busy, productive day. He spied Watson for a sack and had a key run-dog on the fourth-quarter stand. But Edmunds probably sank a little too deep in coverage on the third-and-18 conversion pass.’
Josh Allen: ‘I won’t be over this loss until we can start playing again’
‘”We’ve got to go out there and execute and we have to do a better job of that. They made one more play than we did. We’ve got to better and we know that. … We’re going to try to heal our bodies up and get ready for next season.”‘
Love Josh Allen’s grit but question his recklessness
‘Allen’s end game was riddled with a fumble and several nearly catastrophic and highly unusual quarterback decisions. Allen’s fumble occurred on third-and-8 from the Bills’ 47 as he was stepping up in pocket.’
Like the Bills, Booger McFarland is sharp in first half but falls apart near the end
‘But just like the Bills became the Bills in the second half, McFarland became McFarland.’
Marv’s mission: Levy enlisting NFL’s help to honor Greatest Generation
‘Levy wants all NFL teams to take up his invitation. So far, about a third of the clubs have specifically honored World War II veterans. The Bills, for example, had a group of veterans to a Saturday practice last month and then to the game on Sunday. Levy is optimistic that the league will incorporate World War II recognition into Super Bowl week or the events around the championship game itself, and he also points out that the anniversary of the end of the war is Sept. 2 of this year — well-timed for the start of the 2020 NFL season.’
Here’s how the Buffalo Bills need to approach the here-too-early offseason
‘They have to refine Allen’s undeniable physical skills with better mechanics which should improve his accuracy, and continue the process of developing him into a fully functional player on the mental side, which hopefully will lessen some of the brain cramp moments.’
Allen makes NFL playoff history in loss to Houston
‘Bills quarterback Josh Allen, on the game’s first series, had a 42-yard run, the longest rush for Buffalo this season and the longest by a QB in Buffalo playoff history.’
What Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen said about Brian Daboll potentially getting HC job
‘“Listen, I love Daboll,” Allen said at the Bills’ locker room clean out. “He’s been one of my most favorite coaches that I’ve ever had in my entire football career. Whether he gets an opportunity to do that? Personally, I would hate to see it, but at the same time, you know, to get an opportunity like that for him it would be awesome. Not just for him, but for his family too. I understand that this is a business and I’d be the first one to tell him to do it if he had that opportunity. The relationship that we have is special. And I deeply care for him and his family and what he’s been able to do for me and how he has taken me under his wing. Time will tell in that aspect too, but again, a guy that I love and that will never change. Personally, I hope he’s back next year and we can keep things rolling.”’
Did refs screw Bills with blindside block call? 2 ex-NFL stars say yes
‘But former Eagles defensive end Chris Long disputed the call.’
Unemployed Antonio Brown continues clowning Buffalo Bills, other eliminated playoff teams
‘The most curious team to be mentioned by Brown was the Bills. Buffalo had interest in Brown during the offseason, but he had no interest in playing for the Bills. Brown, in fact, proved that on his own when he released audio of a conversation between himself and agent Drew Rosenhaus.’
Buffalo Bills Take: Why didn’t Devin Singletary get more carries late in game?
‘Singletary, arguably the Bills’ best offensive player in the AFC wild-card game, had one rush on the Bills’ drive after the Texans cut the lead to 16-11. He had two more carries on the Bills’ drive that ended with a fourth-and-27 play.’
Bills QB Josh Allen ‘halfway’ there after OT playoff loss
‘He started to press too much, attempting too many long, or too many low-percentage passes. His play-caller, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, didn’t do him any favours at all in the fourth quarter by ordering up so many plays from five-wide — meaning with five receivers split out, and no back or tight end to help the five-man line protect Allen from the growing onslaught of pressure coming from Watt and the Texans forward wall.’
For the love of H-town: Bills’ Ed Oliver rocks ‘Be Someone’ cleats at playoff game
‘Oliver didn’t hide his love of H-town during Saturday’s Wild Card playoff game against the Texans. In fact, he sported signature cleats around his neck that displayed the city’s iconic “Be Someone” graffiti as he headed into NRG stadium. The cleats complement the unforgettable “Be Someone” suit that Oliver wore during draft day in 2019.’
Bills Enter Offseason Feeling Pain Of Playoff Collapse
‘Over the final two quarters and overtime, the second-year player went a combined 11 of 26 for 133 yards with a lost fumble, nearly lost another one on an ill-advised lateral attempt, and was sacked three times. Allen particularly looked panicked attempting to scramble out of trouble and was penalized for intentional grounding on third-and-13 from the Houston 28 with 1:41 remaining.’
2020 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills team needs, draft picks, prospects to watch
‘The Bills took a step forward this past season, and despite the quality production from free-agent signees John Brown and Cole Beasley, Buffalo clearly needs another receiver (or two) heading into the 2020 season. Given Jerry Hughes’ age, Lorenzo Alexander’s retirement, and Shaq Lawson’s status as a free agent, the defensive end spot should be addressed, and the efficient Devin Singletary will likely need a new running mate in the backfield with the expiration of Frank Gore’s one-year deal.’
Bills players clean out lockers after heartbreaking defeat to end season
‘Defensive End Shaq Lawson, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March said he would like to come back to the Bills, but obviously that will be decided between the team and his agent. He said the team not picking up his fifth-year option last offseason gave him motivation to have a great year and he feels he put his best foot forward and played well.’
Locker room clean out: Themes and thoughts from One Bills Drive
‘Running back Frank Gore discussed the possibility of retirement today. One of his offensive linemen, Quinton Spain, was in a contract year this year. On the other side of the ball, Shaq Lawson’s fifth year option wasn’t picked up coming into this season. All three of them had no guarantees, but a return to Buffalo sounds like an option across the board, at least on their end.’
Bills players: “We appreciate you”, Thanking Bills Mafia after this season
‘”This is the most fun I’ve had playing football in a long time and it definitely has to do with the Bills Madia and how loud and crazy they are. I appreciate them,” said Jon Feliciano, Bills Guard.’
Bills fans say traveling to playoff game was more than watching the team win or lose
‘“They recreated the tailgate down there and we were like ants scattering there. There were Bills fans everywhere, everywhere you went on the plane, everywhere,” Bills fan Joe Balone said.’
Bills leave historic season behind with hope for future
‘“I just got told we’ve got a good basis on where we’re at right now and a lot of guys coming back next year,” said Allen. “We can learn from this and try to use it for the better, and with the guys that we have in this locker room I’ve got no doubt that’s what we’ll do.”’
Why Josh Allen is anxious to get back to work in preparation for the 2020 season
‘“The experience of being in that game, that type of game, feeling the flow (will help),” he said. “Obviously, there are little things about the game. Finding completions and taking care of the football. There’s stuff to learn from and it’s going to be every week. Every year you’re going to find a way to learn something and get better and improve on yourself and that was no different with what happened at Houston.”’
Eric Wood | 4 final observations on the Bills 2019 playoff season
‘Between the penalties and turnovers, that missed sack at the end, there’s just so many plays at the end you could point to — it could have gone differently for the Bills in so many ways, but that’s the way this league works. When it came down to it, they didn’t make enough plays. To have that start they had to get up 16-0 and not be able to finish it off, it is truly gut wrenching for everyone in the organization and Bills fans out there.’
Bills Today | NFL analyst identifies Devin Singletary as a building block for the future
‘“When you need two yards, he’ll get you three and a half,” Baldinger said.’