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Buffalo Bills UDFA center ready to ‘crush some skulls’ in bid for 53-man roster spot


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Updated 4:34 PM; Today 4:22 PM
Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

AP

Penn State offensive lineman Ryan Bates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

 
 

By Matt Parrino | mparrino@nyup.com

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills backup quarterback Matt Barkley was set to take the field last Friday night in Carolina to lead the second team offense against the Panthers when he turned and looked at the man who was set to line up at center in front of him

That man was undrafted free agent Ryan Bates, who the Bills acquired the Friday prior in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Prized free agent center Mitch Morse has been in the concussion protocol since the early days of training camp and the Buffalo offensive line has been hit with a rash of injuries.

The circumstances pushed Bates to the front of the line behind guard/center Jon Feliciano, who was in at center with the first team. Making matters more complicated was the fact that Bates hadn’t played a snap at center since his freshman season at Penn State in 2015.

Knowing Bates’ head was probably spinning with all the changes and now expectations of playing, Barkley turned to him before they took the field and simply said, “You know how to crush some skulls. Let’s just go play.”

That’s exactly what Bates did for all of his team-high 51 snaps against the Panthers. By all accounts, including Barkley and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, the rookie did a great job. Pro Football Focus gave Bates’ performance the second-highest pass blocking grade in the game with a 81.7 behind only starting left tackle Dion Dawkins (83.5).

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https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2019/08/buffalo-bills-udfa-center-ready-to-crush-some-skulls-in-bid-for-53-man-roster-spot.html

Edited by HOUSE
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1 hour ago, John from Riverside said:

Anyone know how well this guy played?

By all accounts, including Barkley and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, the rookie did a great job. Pro Football Focus gave Bates’ performance the second-highest pass blocking grade in the game with a 81.7 behind only starting left tackle Dion Dawkins (83.5).

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10 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

By all accounts, including Barkley and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, the rookie did a great job. Pro Football Focus gave Bates’ performance the second-highest pass blocking grade in the game with a 81.7 behind only starting left tackle Dion Dawkins (83.5).

 

Well, why didn’t you say so???

 

?

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2 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

He played Preseason well....

 

Preseason may not count, but it can matter!

 

Let’s hope this is one of those steals you look back on in 10 years as legend! A real “Jerry Hughes deal”! 

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1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

Preseason may not count, but it can matter!

 

Let’s hope this is one of those steals you look back on in 10 years as legend! A real “Jerry Hughes deal”! 

You are quite the wordsmith, my friend...

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15 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Preseason may not count, but it can matter!

 

Let’s hope this is one of those steals you look back on in 10 years as legend! A real “Jerry Hughes deal”! 

For a guy that seemingly came in late as camp fodder he played well with the 2s in a preseason game that's a pretty good statement for him to make.

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