Tag: Jordan Phillips

Report: Bills drop $500K on team bonding

Buffalo Bills go on shopping spree pre-Houston Texans game.

The Buffalo Bills were a tight-knit group throughout the 2019 season. In their preparations for the Houston Texans in their Wild Card showdown, the Bills reportedly held a team-bonding exercise on Friday before the game the following day.

Perhaps it wasn’t a team-sanctioned gathering, but players from the Bills hit up Iceman Nick, described as a celebrity jeweler by TMZ Sports, when the team arrived in Houston.

Off the bat… there isn’t anything wrong with that. These guys can spend their time in much worse ways, but reportedly they spent some big dough on some bling, too. Per TMZ, collectively a group of possibly 20 players on the team spent about $500,000 combined.

In the photo above, players above who attended were Vincent Taylor, Dion Dawkins, Cody Ford, Jordan Phillips, Shaq Lawson, Darryl Johnson and Houston native Ed Oliver.

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Jordan Phillips unhappy with no All-Pro selection

Buffalo Bills DT Jordan Phillips named All-Pro snub.

Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips felt like he was a Pro Bowl snub and things didn’t get any nicer when the NFL’s All-Pro teams were named on Friday.

The 27-year-old led the Bills with 9.5 sacks and added another 31 tackles. He also had a forced fumble.

Still, Phillips wasn’t named an All-Pro of any sort as cornerback Tre’Davious White was.

Following the announcement, Phillips wrote “0 (zero) respect” on his social media account via Twitter:

After not making the Pro Bowl earlier this season, Phillips went on social media and had a laugh about it, literally:

Instead of Phillips, the Rams’ Arron Donald and Steelers’ Cam Heyward took home the honors. The Falcons’ Grady Jarrett and the 49ers’ DeForest Buckner took second-team honors.

And if you’re wondering, should Phillips really be mad since he didn’t even make the Pro Bowl? Well, Justin Simmons is an example of that. The Broncos safety wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl, but he was named a second-team All-Pro on Friday.

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2019 Bills regular season statistical leaders

With the 2019 regular season in the books, let’s take a look at the Bills’ statistical leaders and the team’s ranking compared to the rest of the league.

There were many things to smile about if you’re a Bills fan this year. The team returns to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Buffalo produced its first double-digit win season in two decades (and their first of this millennium).

With the 2019 regular season in the books, let’s take a look at the Bills’ statistical leaders and the team’s ranking compared to the rest of the league.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Team offense (yards per game)

  • Total offense: 330.2 (24th)
  • Points per game: 19.6 (t-23th)
  • Passing yards: 201.8 (26th)
  • Passing touchdowns: 21 (24th)
  • Rushing yards: 128.4 (8th)
  • Rushing touchdowns: 17 (t-18th)
  • Giveaways: 19 (12 INTs): (t-11th)

Team defense (yards per game)

  • Total defense: 298.3 (3rd)
  • Points per game: 16.2 (2nd)
  • Passing yards: 195.2 (4th)
  • Passing touchdowns: 15 (t-2nd)
  • Rushing yards: 103.1 (10th)
  • Rushing touchdowns: 12 (t-9th)
  • Takeaways: 23 (t-10th)
  • Turnover differential: +4 (t-10th)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Individual stats (NFL rank)

  • QB Josh Allen 3,089 passing yards (23th)
  • RB Devin Singletary: 775 rushing yards (24th)
  • WR John Brown: 1,060 receiving yards (21th)
  • WR John Brown: 72 catches (t-30th)
  • LB Tremaine Edmunds: 115 tackles (620th)
  • DT Jordan Phillips: 9.5 sacks (t-19th)
  • CB Tre’Davious White: 6 interceptions (t-1st)
  • CB Tre’Davious White: 23 passes defended (2nd)

Highest graded defensive players on Pro Football Focus

  • S Micah Hyde: 80.3 (11th)
  • CB Tre’Davious White: 75.6 (15th)
  • DE Trent Murphy: 75.1 (27th)

Highest graded offensive players on Pro Football Focus

  • WR John Brown: 75.8 (25th)
  • WR Cole Beasley: 73.6 (38th)
  • OL Dion Dawkins: 73.3 (24th)

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Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ loss to the Patriots

Stock report following the Buffalo Bills’ 24-17 Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Bills lost their chance to make the AFC East title interesting on Saturday, falling 24-17 to the New England Patriots.

While the Bills locker room will tell you there are no “moral victories” anymore for this team, it was still a solid showing in some aspects for the Bills. But still, Buffalo lost the game.

Here’s how the stock report for the Bills looks following their Week 16 loss to the Patriots:

Stock up
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

WR Cole Beasley

As it’s been all season for the Bills, outings are usually defined by Cole Beasley or John Brown in the passing game. One or the other, rarely, if ever at all, both of them. Brown did have a deep catch on the day, but overall, was relatively ineffective against the likes of Stephon Gilmore.

With that, Beasley did have a big game. After back-to-back quieter weeks, the slot receiver had a huge game, seven catches for 108 yards. It was his second 100-plus receiving yard game with the Bills this season. With 56 yards against the Jets in Week 17, Beasley will set a career-high number of receiving yards in a single season.

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Bills at Patriots: 5 matchups to watch

The Buffalo Bills are playoff bound and can make a run at the AFC East if they can beat the dreaded New England Patriots.

The Buffalo Bills have punched their ticket to the playoffs after their road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Now the Bills have a chance in winning the AFC East with a victory of the dreaded New England Patriots… though the Bills will need some help.

The Bills and Pats met once this season, week four in Buffalo where the Patriots won 16-10. It was a defensive battle throughout the game, and game that saw Josh Allen leave with a head injury in the fourth quarter.

This will be a tough matchup for the Bills at Foxborough on Saturday, so these are the important matchups to watch:

Jordan Phillips vs. Ted Karras

After two strong seasons with the New England Patriots, center Ted Karras has taken a step back in his third season. Throughout the season he has allowed two sacks, and been called for three penalties. On Saturday, he’ll be facing the underrated defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. 

Jordan Phillips has had a career resurgence in Buffalo since joining during the team late last season. In his first full season with the Bills, Phillips has ten sacks, one forced fumble, and 12 tackles. Phillips has been able to create pressure inside the pocket, which has resulted in quarterbacks releasing the ball earlier than expected and leading to errant throws.

Phillips didn’t have a great game against the Patriots, he had just four tackles, and didn’t contribute any sacks. The Patriots offense is based around quick passes, and a stout run game. Which doesn’t play to the strengths of Phillips game. 

If the Bills want to get the best of the Hall of Fame quarterback, Tom Brady, Phillips will need to collapse the pocket and make the 42 year old scramble, and try to extend plays. Phillips will be vital for the potential divisional push, which starts on Saturday. 

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Jordan Phillips wants Buffalo to remember him over Pro Bowl

Buffalo Bills DT Jordan Phillips on Pro Bowl snub.

Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is one of the most outspoken players in the team’s locker room.

He was also one of the Bills’ biggest snubs for the 2020 Pro Bowl, despite recording an AFC leading 9.5 sacks for defensive tackles.

A deadly combo? Not really, it turns out.

Phillips kept his disappointing words to a minimal while speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Things were kept short like, “it is what it is.”

But Phillips decided he did have one way of coping with the disappointment. He said  that what’s more important to him is his legacy locally in Buffalo.

“Pro Bowl? Whatever. If I can do what I need to do by the end of the year, I’ll be remembered in Buffalo forever,” Phillips said.

Phillips is one of the biggest and boldest players that touts how Buffalo and the Bills are overlooked. Regardless, wanting to become a club legend above all other national recognition is why Bills fans have come to adore the former Dolphins’ draft pick.

Still, other Bills teammates are not being as shy about letting their feelings being known. Fellow defensive tackle Ed Oliver said if you didn’t vote for Phillips, you’re “no friend of mine.”

The lone guy who did get placed in the All-Star game, Tre’Davious White, even said he’s feeling down about his teammates’ snubs.

“It sucks that it’s only me, because I can’t get to celebrate it,” White said.

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Sean McDermott says ‘a lot of other guys’ deserved Pro Bowl

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott on his team’s Pro Bowl snubs.

The initial Pro Bowl voting came and went. The Buffalo Bills, at 10-4 overall with a playoff berth already in their pocket, saw one player named to the team.

Cornerback Tre’Davious White‘s was called and that’s it from the No. 3 overall defense in the NFL.

The Ravens are having a heck of year thanks to their juggernaut offense they sport. Still, Baltimore’s defense, ranked sixth currently, landed four players in the Pro Bowl (Matt Judon, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Earl Thomas).

Many in Western New York thought the Bills deserved more recognition, especially from their defense. Guys like Jordan Phillips, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde come to mind. Among those thinking the Bills might’ve gotten snubbed were Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott.

“I felt like we had a lot of other guys that deserved recognition that worked hard,” McDermott said on Wednesday. “It’s a team game and that’s what we subscribe to here. I can’t control guys that get recognized.”

The coach was also asked if he subscribes to the Bills and Buffalo being a small market that’s overlooked in such scenarios. You knew  McDermott’s answer before he even spoke a word.

A small smirk came across the coach’s face while the coach listened to the question.

“I think our guys are aware of [being overlooked],” McDermott said.

He knows that’s a motivator for his team this week as the Bills visit the Patriots with a chance to take a step toward stealing the AFC East title from their rivals.

“But [being overlooked] is not part of whether we win or lose this week, honestly. It goes back to the team and that’s the most important thing here,” McDermott said.

Since the vote, one Bills player in Phillips took to social media and laughed about not being selected to the Pro Bowl. He leads the AFC in sacks among defensive tackles with 9.5 this season, after all. But Phillips has been a player in the Bills locker room that’s subscribed to and been motivated by playing for a team that’s overlooked for awhile now. He discussed that following his team’s recent win over the Steelers.

“All you hear about is always the other people, always the other people. That the Bills are the Bills, you know what I mean? But at the end of the day… five turnovers [vs. the Steelers]? Best defense in the league? Great offense? We’re happening,” Phillips said.

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3 biggest Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl snubs

Here are three Bills that were snubbed on this year’s Pro Bowl vote. 

The NFL announced its 2020 Pro Bowl selections Tuesday. The Bills, holding court among the league’s best with a 10-4 record, earned only one selection for the NFL’s all-star game.

Cornerback Tre’Davious White earned a spot among the league’s star-studded contest after years of being among snubbed players himself.

Buffalo’s record is a testament to the team-first mentality that the organization emphasizes. Still, several Bills deserved accolades and the opportunity to perform on this stage.

Here are three Bills that were snubbed on this year’s Pro Bowl vote:

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

WR John Brown

John Brown has been a revelation for the Bills aerial attack, giving Buffalo its closest player to a No. 1 receiver in years. The veteran wideout has given quarterback Josh Allen a reliable option in all parts of the field this year, despite many tabbing him as nothing more than a vertical, speedy threat when he signed with the Bills.

Brown has demonstrated that he is more than just a burner, running precise routes and beating defenders out wide. Brown is tenth in the AFC in receptions (71) and seventh in receiving yards (1,007). When focusing solely on wide receivers, Brown is sixth in each category. This past week against the Steelers, Brown had 99 yards receiving, which gave the Bills their first 1,000-yard playmaker since Sammy Watkins in 2015.

Brown also threw a touchdown pass this season:

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Jordan Phillips interrupts interview to praise Brandon Beane (video)

Buffalo Bills DT Jordan Phillips on general manager Brandon Beane.

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was the highlight of general manager Brandon Beane’s press conference on Sunday after the team’s 17-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Beane spoke on the state of the tea and making the playoffs, Phillips cut in through reporters conducting the interview to make sure his thoughts were known.

“This man right here, Brandon Beane, he doesn’t get enough credit,” Phillips started.

Here’s Phillips’ full thoughts on the GM here via WKBW-TV:

Phillips is also a free agent following this season, which could be worth noting in this situation.

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Report card: Bills outlast Steelers, 17-10

The Bills are playoff bound after their victory of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a victory where the Bills relied on their stout defense.

Buffalo, you can party like it’s 1999 because the Bills are sitting at 10-4, clinching just their second playoff appearance this century.

The game was an ugly, hard fought battle that saw seven turnovers between themselves and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game which the Bills won 17-10.

Ultimately, Buffalo’s offense made more plays down the stretch that gave them the victory. It wasn’t a stellar performance from Josh Allen and company though.

With that, here’s how the Bills graded out in this week’s report card following their win over the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Quarterback: C

Josh Allen had a tough game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he completed just 52 percent of his passes for 139 yards. He struggled throughout the game, missing some wide open receivers, his interception was a perfect example of these errant throws. Allen had a clean pocket, and threw a pass to the outstretched arms of receiver Cole Beasley, that bounced off the hands of Beasley and into arms of the Steelers defensive back. The interception doesn’t fall on the shoulders of Allen alone, but a better pass could have been caught by Beasley.

The quarterback did have his moments of brilliance, mainly coming in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. He hit a massive 40-yard strike to John Brown that help set up the game winning touchdown. Speaking of the game winning touchdown, he found tight end Tyler Kroft on third down, sealing the victory for Buffalo.

Allen also had 28 yards on the ground, and one rushing touchdown that opened the scoring for Buffalo.

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