Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Good for them, though I put very little stock into what happens in the preseason games, be it one-sided losses or miraculous comebacks. Despite the rally and victory, which produced a 2-2 exhibition record, let’s put things into perspective. It came in the second half of the fourth preseason game and I still think it’s a stretch to think that Sean McDermott’s second team is at the same level as his first, which somehow found its way to the playoffs last year.’

‘Logically, that should mean Peterman gets the call against the Ravens, Allen serves as the starter in waiting, and for McCarron, I really don’t know what to make of his situation. He did not sign with Buffalo to be a third-string clipboard carrier, he’s clearly unhappy with how things have played out, and you have to wonder if the Bills might just cut him, or try to trade him (highly unlikely).’

‘”Nathan Peterman, AJ McCarron and first rounder Josh Allen have combined for five regular-season starts, and McCarron’s already banged up. Allen’s upside has been evident in preseason, but inexperience will be an unavoidable issue no matter who plays most this year.”‘

‘“No,” McDermott said when asked if he had settled on a starter. “No further quarterback developments from (Sunday) night at this point. Still coming off the game, little unique practicing the day after and not having a day off. Still going through that, want to get through this practice first and make sure we have our ducks in a row before moving forward.”’

‘Hopefully, McDermott’s two young children were not in the vicinity of the video screen because I can only imagine the language that had to be spewing from the coach’s mouth as he watched the film, or the tape, or whatever he wants to call it.’

‘Hideous.’

‘Pit bulls treat their chew toys better than the Bengals treated Allen as Cincinnati’s talented front seven overwhelmed Buffalo’s sub-standard offensive line on its way to sacking Allen. There were some plays where Allen barely had a chance to get to his designated dropback spot before he was besieged with pressure, but like quarterbacks are wont to do, he covered for his line and shouldered the blame.’

‘First, Dawkins is still young, but he showed tremendous promise last season when he was thrust into playing what is considered the most difficult position on the offensive line when Cordy Glenn couldn’t stay healthy. Second, Dawkins is still adjusting to life without left guard Richie Incognito and center Eric Wood, two excellent veterans who retired in the offseason. Third, it’s the preseason, and now’s the time to get the kinks out, and that’s what Dawkins is doing. Fourth, it was all offensive line coach Juan Castillo’s fault.’

‘McDermott has conducted a fair and extensive quarterback competition among Allen, A.J. McCarron and Nathan Peterman, and since McCarron and Peterman were given starts in the first two preseason games, it’s perfectly logical that Allen gets his chance to play with the first string.’

‘“It’s sticking with, for the most part, our plan and our evaluation to this point,” said McDermott. “He certainly has earned most of, I hope, everything we do here. He’s had a good camp to this point and this is all part of the plan, part of the process at this point in terms of the stage of his development.”’

‘Whether McCarron can handle some of the work and keep himself in the competition for the starting job depends on how he progresses. Signing another quarterback, particularly for the fourth preseason game, on Aug. 30 against Chicago, is always an option.’

‘According to a copy of the arrest report, Employees of Messingers Pinnacle Peak Mortuary told Scottsdale police that the former Pro Bowler said he wanted his father’s head cut off for research purposes and that he walked through the funeral home punching caskets and throwing things.’

‘“You recalibrate your eyes, especially when you’ve had a few days off,” said Holmes, who first started using the technology when he played for the Raiders. “Sometimes you come back and you’re a little tired and I recalibrate my eyes and it works out for me. It allows me to focus on seeing the ball.”’

‘“Yeah, (GM) Brandon (Beane) and I have spoken about it,’’ McDermott said about signing another quarterback to play out the summer with. “Like always, he’s always looking at our situation and what we may need to do for not only the long term, but the short term in this case.’’’

‘Ryan, who doesn’t lack for a colorful past, was the Seattle Seahawks punter for the past 10 seasons. He averaged 44.7 yards on 912 attempts with a net average of 38.4 and dropped 311 punts inside the 20.’