Bills close pre-season with 17-6 loss to Detroit
by Brian Galliford on Sep 3, 2009 10:10 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintThe Buffalo Bills closed their 2009 pre-season schedule with a 17-6 home loss to the Detroit Lions. Buffalo did not score an offensive touchdown in either of their final two pre-season games, and the only starters that took the field in tonight's contest were the five starters along the offensive line.
Ryan Fitzpatrick started at quarterback, completing 9 of 17 passes for 78 yards; Gibran Hamdan took over in the second half, also completing 9 of 17 passes for 163 yards. Both quarterbacks threw interceptions. Meanwhile, rookie DE Aaron Maybin had a sack and a forced fumble on top overall draft pick QB Matthew Stafford in the first quarter. Two other defensive rookies turned in big nights, as FS Jairus Byrd recorded an interception and LB Nic Harris led the team with a dozen tackles.
Bills head coach Dick Jauron mentioned in post-game interviews that the decision was made to rest his starters because preparations for the team's season-opening game in New England have already begun. In particular, in regards to QB Trent Edwards, Jauron mentioned that he "did him a disservice" by playing him without a game plan over the past two weeks, and did not want to repeat the feat tonight. Edwards spent the entirety of the past week running plays in the New England game plan, and the staff did not feel there would be anything to gain by playing Edwards without a game plan again this evening. The same can be said for the entirety of the starting defense.
WR Terrell Owens spent the game in full uniform on the sideline; he ran some routes in pre-game warmups and looked completely healthy.
Reserve G/C Brandon Rodd left the game with a leg injury and did not return. The same can be said of RB Xavier Omon, who was scheduled to get a lot of carries, but only managed 4 carries for 17 yards before leaving the game with a calf contusion.
Other big plays: John McCargo recorded a sack and was generally disruptive the entire evening. Reggie Corner had an interception and a lengthy return in the first half. WR Justin Jenkins caught a long 43-yard reception from Hamdan in the fourth quarter as the Bills were playing catch-up. Steve Johnson also had a 33-yard reception on the evening.
Buffalo has the next two days off as the Bills finalize their 53-man roster, which they must do by 4:00 PM ET Saturday. They return to the practice field on Sunday for a full week of preparation for their Monday Night Football opener in New England.
The pre-season is over. The football gods, at least on this evening, are merciful. Leave your comments on the pre-season and this game in the comments section - then be sure to check back in tomorrow morning for the announcement of our roster projection contest!
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The second may have been against the Lions but it still is encouraging to see Maybin getting sacks against 1st stringers. Two games, two sacks. Imagine if he kept this pace up for the whole year!
"We want to win immediately. To say you're building is an incomplete sentence. ... You're building for a future coach and general manager."
-Marv Levy
Imagine if he kept this pace up for the whole year!
He would have 16 sacks…. Duh. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions
No Matt you are wrong.
He would have 19 sacks. You forgot the playoffs and superbowl.
Founding member of the Dick Jauron Fan Club.
Zing!
He sure would…. :-) We got the bye?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
On with the show!
Thank god this miserably long preseason exercise is over….. Mayhem looks encouraging and there are a few pleasant surprises on both offense & defense….but again, let the season begin! I think I will (unlike many), reserve any gloom & doom talk about the team, its players and the coaching staff until after they lock horns with an AFC powerhouse in the opener….. if they stink that up….rest assured I will be p!ssin & moanin with the best of them!
Make a bet
WELL imagine if for every sack we get we can get a TD that will be awesome right but in reality noottttt I HOPE THAT ALL THE EXCUSES EVERY ONE IS MAking for outr team is all bad KARMA cause after 3 games we dont win seee you coach put a bet in vegas on this one
abayarde…I can’t believe it, but I think you just outdid yourself! Love it!
Sweet home Orchard Park.
He always does.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 4, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Dude, I don’t know if you’ve realized, but you alternate between REALLY PUMPED and REALLY SAD.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Still some practice time left, but
compared to the last two seasons, the injuries to key players have been minimal. That is a huge thing from my perspective.
I don’t think sitting the starters (-O line) was a bad move at all. I don’t understand how some people got so worked up about that.
Sweet home Orchard Park.
First time in a long time.
This has had to have alot to do with our lack of progression and even harder for the coaching staff to predict what direction to go in looking down the road. Another first down for Thurman. good point.
not sure why everyone is so torqued about the preseason
preseason games are so meaningless. I don’t know why so many people wanted to see the first team go on the field and march down against scrubs and score. What would that prove? I think Dick Jauron cleared up a lot when he said that they have been focusing on the Patriots in practice. Obvioulsy they are not going to run their Pats gameplan during a preseason game so Belichick can prepare for it. Why waste time preparing for a preseason game against the Lions? Different coaches have different attitudes about the preseason, I think Jauron is in the “its a waste of time” camp.
The only truly positive thing about this preseason….no major injuries. Florence seems to the be the only guy who might miss the opener, so that’s a good way to exit the preseason.
Some young guys really showed they might be able to help down the line….Nic Harris, Ellis Lankster, Steve Johnson, and Ashlee Palmer have all looked better than the reserves they were facing. That’s a good sign. Other than Johnson, I’m not sure any will have much of an impact this year, but the future looks pretty good for these guys.
Good to see Maybin making things happen. I’m not sure he can hold up this year and be a consistent threat all season, but it sure is nice to have a potentially very good pass rusher on the team! He really needs to keep adding strength and bulk though. There’s no way he’ll be able to contribute consistently (if at all) outside of passing situations with the way he looks physically right now.
Chris Ellis and Copeland Bryan have both played more than well enough to earn a job. Ellis is probably a lock, rightfully so, and I still think there’s a spot for Bryan on this roster.
Why, why, why is Schouman the starter?!?! How can the staff be so comfortable with this guy? Mediocre blocker and a mediocre receiver. For a guy who’s supposed to be so reliable, he shouldn’t be fumbling two consecutive passes. Get well soon Fine, and get up to speed on your blocking/routes Nelson!!
I hope Ashlee Palmer makes this team. He is a very good looking young player. I’d happily keep him over Corto, even though Corto is supposed to be some ST monster (I don’t really agree). I bet he’ll make the PS though.
I just hope this team is ready for NE. I don’t believe they will be, but I can hope!
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
hittin nails my friend
I just don’t like Schouman and think Bryan is better than Denney
The Bills CAN win any game
Totally aree on Bryan/Denney. I honestly don’t see how Denney earns a spot over Ellis or Bryan after this pre-season, both have largely outplayed him.
Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.
by CanadianBillsFan on Sep 4, 2009 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Keep that hope alive. I have for 35 years and counting
Your comment about Maybin holding up for the whole season, another reason to keep all six DE’s. I hope they keep all of them but can’t justify the arguement. Denny or Bryan would probably have to go. I didn’t see this game yet, but during the Steeler game they sub the 1st team DL out with four fresh players in the first half. Right there is eight DL. Denny and Ellis were the DE’s in that rotation, Maybin is a lock at 9. Bryan has got to be close by if we need him.
As far as the tight end goes, it is another one of those mysteries, “What is going on” One of the four has to make an impact. Something to justify the position. Stupar is the only one that goat alott of attention and he will probably be gone. Regardless who starts I just hope the position becomes one of relavence for a change.
Nic Harris, can’t wait to watch him on tape delay. 11 tackles, that is impressive.
FYI: Jauron said post-game that they hope to have Florence on the practice field this coming Wednesday. (Guess he’s not getting cut, eh?)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Somescreen
Cagey Dick Jauron
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
if its the only positive thing...
If the lack of injuries is the only positive thing, why do you go on to list other positives?
The only truly positive. The rest seem to be young guys looking good but still need to prove it when the regular season begins. Semantics I guess…
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Sep 4, 2009 10:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m peversely glad that Fitzy didn’t light it up against the Lions. That only would have served to lay the foundation for a QB controversey.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
It shouldn't start a controversy
but from the highlights, Hamden sure can go down field, huh? I would bet it has something to do with knowing his role and not being afraid to just relax a bit.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 4, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
i didn’t watch the game, but i did just finish watching the highlights. there were some nice plays in there. byrd’s pick was a thing of beauty.
it looked like the o-line did a decent job of keeping the QBs protected, but rushing offense seemed sorely lacking.
maybin looked pretty decent, but he was getting doubled a lot and doesn’t have the bulk to fight through those like other, bigger guys did.
Just saw the highlights too. Hamdan had a couple of sweet throws to Johnson. Nice touch on both of those passes.
"I wish we could convince our opponents to play their 2nd and 3rd stringers against ours for the whole game – when it counts." - TEMSON
I don't see how Stupar is let go
based on his performances in these 5 games (1, of course, with him being blanked). It’s telling that Jauron wanted his OL starters out there. There can’t be much in terms of comfort with the current configuration.
The Blame Game: I’m not sure it’s wise to lay blame on Edwards playing without a game plan. What happens when (yes, I see it happening) he plays this way with one? Where does the blame fall then?
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 4, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions
My opinion is that Edwards’ biggest strength is his smarts, so the gameplan is ultra-important to his success. That’s why I think coaching is going to make him or break him. I’d love to see what a great coach (like Bill Walsh) could do with him.
"I wish we could convince our opponents to play their 2nd and 3rd stringers against ours for the whole game – when it counts." - TEMSON
Re: Stupar. I watched him pretty closely last night. He looks ridiculously average. Slow, lumbering… not fun to watch. He’s making grabs based on who he’s running routes again. If he makes the team, it’ll only be because of Fine’s hamstring.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok it was the Lions,but Maybin was tearing it up! This kid is a gem! And Harris is showing why he’ll be our top backup at LB. We may have lost the last meaningless game, but the kids really shined in it!
Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.
by CanadianBillsFan on Sep 4, 2009 5:50 AM EDT reply actions
Sick of ESPN
Anyone else sick of ESPN’s coverage and highlights? They are like a bunch of little girls with crushes—-when TO signed that’s all they covered, They are in love with everything Farve does and now all they would show on the early morning highlights was the so-so Vick outing. Hell,it took over a half hour to show the Bills score——Clowns!!!
I’ll bring myself to watch the replay over the weekend but I’ll probably need a 6 pack to get thru it—-that’s up for the 4-Beers to get thru the Steelers game—-which was up from the 2 beers to get thru the Packers game. At this rate I will need a case to get thru the Monday night Pats game.
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Don’t even bother watching this game – nothing substantial happened, good or bad. It was barely a game.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re annoyed because ESPN waited a half hour to show highlights of a game between two of the worst teams from the past decade that involved very few starters? What exactly were you expecting?!?
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Just to see who won...
I wasn’t expected highlights, even when the Bills beat the Bears the highlights were all about Cutler.
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Again, what do you want them to show? How does a Trent Edwards offense that scored a FG that day appeal to any casual fan like Cutler’s first game as a Bear might? We aren’t the Patriots, Colts, Steelers or whoever….
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Again
I was just looking to see who won the game, they kept reverted back to Vick and not showing game results. I just wanted to know if we won or lost—-nothing more—nothing less just a game result.
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
When they did show highlights...
they focused only on the Lions. They showed the Maybin sack and the Corner pick and used it to frame Stafford’s inexperience.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Prayer as a football tool
I am just praying that the Bills have been hiding their real offense and will unveil it on Monday night. I am also praying that we will not be embarrassed on national Television.
by Pietro Sirianni on Sep 4, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions
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