Tag: bills panthers

Bills’ Matt Barkley: Team was focused on game vs. Panthers

#Bills’ Matt Barkley: Team was focused on game vs. #Panthers:

The Buffalo Bills saw their preseason win streak broken Friday night by the Carolina Panthers, with a final score of 0-21.

As these games are used to assess talent and players in different game action scenarios to evaluate which players to keep or cut to trim down the roster, they do not impact the team’s regular season record.

But that does not mean the game does not matter to those playing it.

“We’re focused on winning a football game and that was our goal tonight,” Bills backup QB Matt Barkley said while addressing the media after the game.

When asked what it’s like going into a preseason game situation with players trying to perform and make cuts with off-the-field issues surrounding the team looming, Barkley spoke to the need to still focus during gameplay on the field.

The team was in the headlines prior to kickoff, as allegations surfaced involving rookie punter Matt Araiza.

As such, the team was tasked with still being able to navigate the gravity of such a situation to still commit attention to the game they need to play.

“I think it just comes down to compartmentalizing and focusing on winning the game like I said that was our mindset and that’s where guys had to be,” the QB shared. “I mean it wasn’t good losing a game like that, scoring no points, so wasn’t the best mood.”

When asked whether he’s talked to Araiza yet, the QB said he’d not, but may soon.

“Probably, but we’ll see when that happens.”

When asked about the allegations, Barkley made it clear

“I’d rather not discuss my reaction or talk about it, I mean again I know it’s a work in progress and there’s a lot to work through,” he responded. “I’d rather leave it at that”

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Bills’ Matt Barkley on punting: ‘It is not something I’ve ever practiced’

#Bills’ Matt Barkely on punt: ‘It is not something I’ve ever practiced’

With only hours’ notice, Matt Barkley did something he had never done before in Friday’s contest against the Carolina Panthers.

He booted a 53-yard punt, much to the surprise of fans and media alike.

After the game, Barkley was asked if he knew he’d be asked to punt or whether that’s something he had ever practiced.

“It is not something I’ve ever practiced, and I knew right before the game” that he’d be asked to punt, Barkley said. “They came to me and asked.”

The backup QB punted four times for 160 yards in the 21-0 loss to the Panthers. As a passer, he went 9/13 for 100 yards and no TDs.

Despite the loss, Barkley did manage to crack a smile and a joke when asked about the 53-yard boot.

“Yeah, it’s a career best, so I’ll take that,” he said.

“I think I hit that so bad that it ended up being good. Rolled, bitcoin bounced,” the cryptocurrency enthusiast quipped.

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Bills’ Efe Obada makes his mark against former team and QB Cam Newton

#Bills’ Efe Obada makes his mark against former team and QB Cam Newton:

Bills DE Efe Obada took the road less traveled to the NFL.

Born in Nigeria and raised in the UK, he joined the Bills on a one-year deal this past offseason.

Obada first made his way into the league by way of the International Pathway Program, playing for the London Warriors before making the leap across the pond to spend the first few years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers. 

While there, he had a chance during practice to get some reps going after QB Cam Newton before he joined New England, and would go on to log 5.5 sacks in gameplay last season for Carolina.

This past Sunday he had the opportunity to go full throttle after Newton, and it was one he made the most of.

Obada had two of the Bills four sacks of Newton sacks in their 31-14 over his former team. After the game, he spoke about what the experience was like.

“When I was playing with him, he used to have that red jersey, so that was the quickest ride to go home if you hit him,” Obada said while addressing the media. “But no, it just felt really good to hit him now. I asked for his jersey, so I’m putting that out here now, so I can hold him accountable.”

The DE’s pair of sacks came only one play a part on in the fourth quarter. On 2nd-and-10, he wrapped up Newton for an eight-yard loss. Then when Carolina went for it on 4th-and-10 from the Buffalo 46, Obada got him again for a second time and another eight-yard loss.

“Just trying to do my job, beat my guy,” he continued. “Came around the edge on the second one. The first one, just hit the B gap, and he was right there, just still holding the ball. Just great effort from my coverage, and just allowed me to get there.”

Bills DT Harrison Phillips shared the post-game press conference podium with Obada and began patting him on the back at the end of that answer.

“Winning one-on-ones is what he did,” added Phillips.

Prior to Sunday’s contest, Obada had 1.5 sacks while playing in 20% of Buffalo’s defensive snaps over eight games this season.

His two takedowns of Newton stood out to head coach Sean McDermott who spoke after the game about how important getting those sacks were.

“Efe, he made a lot of big-time plays. A couple of big-time sacks when we needed it most,” McDermott said during his post-game press conference. Credit to him, and coach did a good job putting guys in the position.”

The four total sacks by Buffalo were the most they’ve notched since racking up six in their Week 2 win against Miami. And Obada’s two came when the Bills needed it most on Sunday.

“Especially one in a big moment of the game there when we needed it,” McDermott continued. “That four-man rush, getting that four-man rush going, it’s important for us.”

Safety Jordan Poyer was cheering the DE on as they passed one another while Obada left the podium and he stepped in for his own press availability.

“Sack man, sack man! Yeah, that’s him!” Poyer shouted.

“Extremely great teammate, great player,” Poyer said to the media. “And he just comes to work every day and does his job, so it’s exciting to see him get back-to-back plays, two sacks, so extremely happy for him.”

“Feels good, man,” Obada added. “Stay humble, get focused, get back on the mission. But it felt good. Just grateful for the opportunity to be out here.”

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Bills vs. Panthers: 3 keys to a Buffalo win

#Bills vs. #Panthers: 3 keys to a Buffalo win:

The Buffalo Bills playoff hopes hang in the balance as the team is set to begin their five remaining games in the regular season. They will face the Carolina Panthers in a must-win game at home on Sunday in Orchard Park.

Despite MVP-like heroics from QB Josh Allen and coming back from a 24-3 halftime deficit, the team would lose in a Week 14 overtime matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, thanks in part to poor officiating that carried some stench of the NFL’s market bias.

The Bills are putting the loss behind them with Carolina in front-and-center focus as they prepare for a familiar foe.

Panthers QB Cam Newton spent last year with the New England Patriots. While they are not active, former Jets QB Sam Darnold and former Bills QB Matt Barkley are both now Panthers. There is the history with GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott coming North to join the Bills from the Panthers organization. And fans are all too familiar with former Bill and Patriot CB Stephon Gilmore and his affinity for televised games.

Between all that and the former Panthers who have since joined Beane and McDermott with the Bills, the two clubs know each other well.

As far as who will come out on top, here are three keys to a win for the Bills (7-6) against the Panthers (5-8):

Report: Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen not a finalist for Panthers job

Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Joe Schoen not a finalist for Carolina Panthers general manager job.

It doesn’t appear the Bills will lose their assistant general manager just yet.

Joe Schoen interviewed for the vacant Panthers general manager job earlier this month. It was reported on Jan. 5 that the Panthers had asked the Bills for permission to talk to him.

But a new report on Thursday says that the Panthers have “final three” for the job, and Schoen is not one of them.

According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, the final three are Scott Fitterer, Ryan Poles, and Monti Ossenfort.

Fitterer is the Seahawks’ VP of football operations, while Poles is with the Chiefs as their assistant director of player personnel. Ossenfort is the Titans’ director of player personnel.

On their team website, the Panthers announced on Wednesday that all three, plus 49ers vice president of player personnel Adam Peters, had second interviews with the team. Schoen evidently did not, therefore he’s likely out of the running for the job.

In total, the Panthers interviewed 15 candidates.

At this time no other team has reportedly asked to interview Schoen.

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Steve Smith on ex-Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin: ‘He’s parking cars right now’

Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith on former Panthers, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.

Former Carolina great Steve Smith unloaded on former Panthers and Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin earlier this week.

Smith described that he’s called a “jealous uncle” of sorts by some Panthers analysts for being too stern on the team’s current wide receivers, suggesting that Smith is hard on them because he views himself as a better player back in the day. Maybe that’s true, maybe that’s not, but in a conversation about Panthers wide receivers on WFNZ radio in Carolina this week, Smith ran Benjamin over.

After dismissing that claim, Smith reverted right back to it when giving his analysis on current Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel. Smith said that observers of the Panthers just need to pump the brakes on Samuel and “let him develop.” Smith then suggested the same folks should have done that with Benjamin…

… then, damn, Steve…

“There were people who said I was just a returner (out of college) and people who couldn’t wait to get him [Smith] out of here and Kelvin Benjamin will replace him,” Smith said. “Well… he (Benjamin) is parking cars now. So hold your horses…”

Benjamin’s career got off to a good start, then certainly tapered off, especially in Buffalo. During Buffalo’s 2017 playoff push, the Bills sent a third and seventh round pick to Carolina for Benjamin at the trade deadline. The former first-round pick of the Panthers never amount to much with the Bills, though. In 18 games in Buffalo, he had 39 catches on 89 targets for 571 yards and two touchdowns.

Benjamin last played in the NFL in 2018 with the Chiefs.

You still didn’t have to do him like that, Steve…

Although, many in western New York probably don’t hate this analysis.

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7 things to know about new Bills LB Andre Smith

Things to know about new Buffalo Bills trade linebacker Andre Smith.

The Bills made a surprise move up and down the east coast on Monday, trading for linebacker Andre Smith.

Formerly of the Carolina Panthers (of course), he was actually slated to be released. Various reports out of Carolina said he was hitting the waiver wire, but instead, the Bills sent a conditional 2023 draft pick to the Panthers for him. Essentially, the Bills just wanted to hop in front of the wavier line and grab him.

But because of that pick given up, even a very late one in the seventh round, some might think that Smith will have a good opportunity to contribute with the Bills… so let’s get to know him.

Here are seven things to know about new Bills linebacker Andre Smith:

Panthers linebacker Andre Smith. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Things come full circle

Well, that’s interesting. As you may already know, the Bills and Panthers have a kind of lifeline to one another. That will probably soon breakdown because Ron Rivera is no longer their head coach. For now it continues via Smith.

But the 23-year-old already had his connections to the Bills in one distinct way because of the history between these two teams. In 2017, the Bills acquired wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin via the Panthers. The Bills sent a third rounder and seventh rounder, both in 2018, in exchange for him. That seventh-round selection seemed to be just a throwaway pick. But… who’d it end up being? That’s right, it was Smith.

In order for this trade to become full circle, The Bills will need to bring in cornerback Rashaan Gaulden who was the Panthers’ pick with the third rounder in 2018.

… Could that happen? Yes… seeing as Gaulden is currently a free agent… (But we’re not predicting that at all…)

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Panthers trade backup linebacker to Bills for conditional draft pick

The Carolina to Buffalo pipeline remains strong.

The Carolina to Buffalo pipeline remains strong. Instead of releasing backup linebacker Andre Smith, the Panthers have instead traded him to the Bills in exchange for a conditional late-round pick in 2023, according to the team website.

Smith was a seventh-round pick himself back in 2018. Since then, he’s played in 19 regular season games, totaling 399 snaps, mostly on special teams. Clearly, former Carolina executive and Bills GM Brandon Beane sees him as a potential contributor in that area of the game.

Buffalo was considered the favorite to win the AFC East this season in the wake of Tom Brady’s exit. However, after Cam Newton signed with the Patriots those odds shifted back to New England.

We know Beane has assembled an outstanding defense and strong roster in general. Whether or not they make it back or do anything in the playoffs will depend mostly on how much quarterback Josh Allen can develop.

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Bills trade draft pick to Panthers for LB Andre Smith

Buffalo Bills send a 2023 conditional draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for linebacker Andre Smith.

The Buffalo Bills have swung a training camp trade, but it was a deal that went in the opposite direction as expected. The Bills sent a 2023 conditional seven-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for linebacker Andre Smith.

The team announced the move on Monday. With a deep roster, the Bills were expected to send out a roster bubble player or two for in order to acquire additional late selections. Instead, the Bills acquired a new face, but still sending some out is not off the table and still could happen in the coming days.

The Bills likely made the most looking to get ahead in the waiver wire order as NFL teams will be trimming their rosters down in the coming days. Cut down day across the league is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers had Smith on the trade block because they intended to cut him as early as Monday. In trading a seventh rounder three years down the line, the Bills acquire the team a guy who was a seventh-round pick himself in 2018. Over the course of his two pro seasons, Smith has appeared in 19 games.

During the course of last season, Smith played the most special teams snaps of anyone on the Panthers, 315. Expect him to join the Bills as a player who will contribute in that area, if he’s on the team’s fine 53-man roster.

The interesting note in terms of keeping Smith on the roster might be running back Taiwan Jones. The 32-year-old suffered a knee injury in practice and has been sideline the past few days of training camp. Could his injury potentially be more serious than once feared?

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How have the Bills fared against Cam Newton in the past?

New England Patriots QB Cam Newton and his track record against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills and rest of the AFC East will welcome newly-minted Patriots quarterback Cam Newton to the division next season. From year-to-year, things change in the NFL, let alone several years in between.

Newton’s addition has many thoughts scrambling in terms of the AFC East. Who is the favorite now? The Bills or the Patriots? Some oddsmakers are saying the Patriots are the ones to beat now.

In New England, Newton will be the favorite to beat out Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round pick, for the Pats’ starting QB job. If he does so, could the past be foreshadowing the future for the Bills and Patriots in 2020?

Buffalo will certainly hope so.

Previously the MVP and No.1 overall pick with the Panthers, Newton has suited up against the Bills, but few and far times in between. In two games against the Bills, Newton’s 1-1 overall in his career. In doing so, he’s been pretty bad both times as well.

The first time Newton faced the Bills was at New Era Field in Orchard Park back in the 2013 season. It was Week 2 and the win for the Bills was a very memorable one for the quarterback. No, not that quarterback, the other one, EJ Manuel. Perhaps the best highlight of his NFL career, Manuel led the Bills to a 24-23 win by connecting with a wide open Stevie Johnson in the end zone with only two seconds left on the clock.

In that first outing, Newton did have two touchdowns but added an interception and only completed 55 percent of his passes.

The last time Newton played against the Bills, he won, but it wasn’t a pretty day and this game is perhaps more indicative of the future. Ironically enough, another Week 2 meeting between the Bills and Panthers, but this time at Bank of America Stadium and in 2017. That was Sean McDermott’s first season at the helm of the Bills. So the defense was pretty similar to the one Newton would potentially play against with the Patriots.

As mentioned, it was a win for Newton. He completed 62 percent of his passes and didn’t turn the ball over and only had one less passing yard than his first game against Buffalo, 228 yards. But here’s why the Bills will be happy reflecting on this one: It was only a 9-3 win for the Panthers. The Bills defense kept Newton out of the end zone entirely, and now this Bills defense has three complete seasons of chemistry built, as opposed to, quite literally, only one game prior to facing Newton.

That should stir some confidence up in the Bills defense.

 

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