The last NFL preseason game is an illuminating tale with divergent outcomes. Some players are joyous, others have their dreams snuffed out like a candle in the wind at Highmark Stadium. The Carolina Panthers traveled to Orchard Park on Saturday and made their case by closing out the 2024 NFL Preseason with a 31-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
A few things to note before I try to decipher my notes about the game.
As I write this, I just completed reviewing a video of the televised game. I listened to the game on the radio live and it’s interesting how different perceptions change when video is there to examine in addition to audio. I share this to provide a contextual framework of my forthcoming comments. I have not consumed (lol the word) any video or social media feedback about the game as I write this post. Stats mentioned are from the ESPN Box Score of the game. Players mentioned here are placed in no particular order.
Players making their case to be rostered or suitable for practice squad.
RB Frank Gore, Jr.
How about Junior’s 18 carry, 101 yard, one TD, 5.6 yds/avg performance, while a rightly proud Dad watched on sidelines? And these numbers don’t do justice for the way Junior picked his holes and plowed forward. Gore Jr. has a bright future in the NFL and genes don’t lie. That performance might keep him on the 53 man roster rather than risk him getting poached off the practice squad.
CB Te’Cory Couch
New to the Bills Cornerbacks Coach Jahmile Addae spent the last two college football seasons coaching Te’Cory Couch at Miami, so we are seeing what he saw in this aggressive young cornerback. Couch finished the game with 10 tackles, 8 solo, one sack and one QB hit, but again the numbers didn’t tell the whole story. Couch has a nose for the ball and a very willing tackler. This guy can play football and is a great candidate at a position where Buffalo finds itself with a generous supply.
WR Deon Cain
This guy can ball. Cain is shifty and made some difficult catches (3 rec/28yds,9.3 avg) from QBs inexperienced in the offense. He has good hands and will catch on a practice squad somewhere in the NFL.
TE Zach Davidson
Another one of McDermott’s “Swiss army knife” players. His 6’7″ 251lb. body is made for the position. He is long, lean, has soft hands and is a decent blocker. The TE position will likely be hotly debated by the coaching staff in terms of who makes the 53 roster. Tre’ McKitty also made a strong honorable mention in this game as well. A strong case for keeping four TEs on the roster can be made, even if it is at the expense of a sixth WR.
CB Daequan Hardy
After a shaky start in the first preseason game against the Bears, Hardy’s stock has gone straight up. He is an undersized corner who can play in the slot but is surprisingly effective against taller WRs. He made good decisions as a returner on special teams, so I can’t envision a roster for Buffalo without his name on it.
OG La’el Collins
Originally tested at the LT position but age and injury have caught up with Collins. The Bills moved him inside at LG for this game and he put on a solid performance inside. We’ll see what they think about keeping him around as a solid back up inside. It’s insane how much talent exists on Buffalo’s offensive line. Kromer has a group of physically gifted athletes and a position coach who is best in the business.
CB JaMarcus Ingram
It’s so heartening to see players from UB contribute to the Buffalo Bills. Ingram has been around for awhile now, and made a solid case for sticking around on the roster for another season. His two solo tackles in the game did not reflect his overall performance. This gentleman is an instinctive a player who knows where to be to make a play. Mike Catalan mentioned during the television coverage of the game that Ingram has the third most tackles on the team over the course of the preseason. UB horns UP!
Players Who Struggled
K Tyler Bass
Missing one field goal and booting a terrible kickoff in and of itself is not concerning. However, after last season’s shaky performances and some terrible kicks in practice there is certainly enough evidence to warrant concern about where Bass is headed this season in terms of performance. McDermott had some tough words for Bass after the game, telling reporters “that was a kick he should have made”, referencing a missed 51 yard attempt during the game. It might be time for some EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapy to help Tyler get past whatever mental blocks he has going on right now. I referred clients for what was then a relatively new treatment for psychic trauma, but it has application for performance anxiety as well. With a $7.4M cap hit (@GregThompsett, Cover One) at the Kicker position, Tyler Bass isn’t going anywhere, so fans might as well keep the antacid next to you when watching the kicking game this season.
OG David Edward
While I didn’t get a chance to watch an All-22 analysis of this game, the fact Edward’s is playing in the second half of the last preseason game says enough about how far this starter at LG has fallen on the depth chart. It’s simply amazing how much depth this offensive line has going into the regular season. Rookie overall draft pick #141 Sedrick Van Pran-Granger’s solid play as backup C/G may push Edwards down the depth chart or traded if Beane can find value for him before Tuesday’s cut down day.
Final Thoughts
Along with the dearth of touchdowns in the preseason, it would have been nice to see more turnovers by the defense. However, in fairness there is little if any scheming up for preseason games so it’s hard to gauge whether or not this trend may carry into the regular season. Obviously, there is also concern about the backup quarterback position. I thought both Ben DiNucci and Anthony Brown >>>> Mitch Trubisky. Hopefully it won’t matter who the backup QB is this season.
Editor’s babble: Preseason games are for kids to attend and for adults to blow off in terms of importance regarding wins or losses. Overall I thought the Bills’ preseason revealed some players with excellent potential. However, I’ve learned to wait until the cutdown to 53 players before getting too attached to players at the bottom of the roster. This and more of my nonsense can be also be found on Xwitter @RobynMundyWYO.
BuffaloFAMbase.com is sponsored by 26 Shirts
Every Monday, we launch a new two-week campaign of a limited edition t-shirt design. Every shirt purchase results in a donation to a local family in need. After the campaign ends, the shirt is retired. A new design is released, and a new family benefits from your fandom!
