Tag: Matt Breida

Giants sign RB Matt Breida

The Giants have added a piece to their backfield, signing veteran Matt Breida

The New York Giants are adding some depth to their backfield. On Monday, they signed Matt Breida, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it’s likely to be a short-term deal.

Breida spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, playing nine games and rushing for 125 yards on 26 carries. He scored one touchdown on the ground and also caught two touchdown passes.

He’ll be a solid backup behind Saquon Barkley, likely supplanting Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams.

In his career, Breida has rushed for 2,281 yards and seven touchdowns, most of which came with the 49ers from 2017-2019 when he started 18 games. His best season was in 2018 when he had 814 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Bills returner Isaiah McKenzie handles benching well in win over Saints

#Bills returner Isaiah McKenzie handles benching well in win over #Saints:

It’s never easy for a player to find out they’ve been benched, but how you handle those moments can go a long way.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver/return specialist Isaiah McKenzie found out before the Bills’ Thanksgiving game vs. the New Orleans Saints, that he would be a healthy scratch in favor of rookie Marquez Stevenson.

Stevenson was activated earlier this week, after spending the first 11 weeks on injured reserve with a foot injury that he had suffered in the preseason.

McKenzie had a costly fumble last week against the Indianapolis Colts, that subsequently resulted in an easy touchdown right before the half in a game the Bills (7-4) were desperately trying to keep close.

Despite the less than stellar news, and on a holiday no less, McKenzie took the benching as well as you could hope, according to numerous teammates.

“He’s a pro. He’ll bounce back,” Bills safety Micah Hyde said following the Bills 31-6 victory over New Orleans. “You know obviously, whatever happened last game… and him not dressing or whatever this game is… you know we’re all competitors so we want to go out there and try to help this team win ballgames so you know, he’ll be alright.”

While it’s easy to allow a demotion to negatively impact you, McKenzie’s response seems to speak to the overall culture the Bills have built. With as much talent as this rosters possesses, certain guys are just not going to see the field on certain weeks.

“Lot of guys are in his ear and he was out there on the sideline cheering for us and all that,” Hyde continued. “That’s the type of guys we have on this team. Selfless guys and he’s definitely one of them.”

Bills running back Matt Breida, who spent a good chunk of the season as a healthy scratch before earning his way to a larger role, provided some firsthand perspective for McKenzie.

“Don’t worry, your time is gonna come,” Breida said he told McKenzie. “We’ll come back to you.”

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said pulling McKenzie out of the starting lineup wasn’t an easy decision.

“Ya, I mean he’s a competitive guy. And I understand he wants to be out there,” McDermott said during his postgame press conference. “So those emotions are real and I get that.”

McDermott further clarified that there was no injury to McKenzie and it was strictly a lineup decision which was, “my decision,”

When asked to give his take on Stevenson’s fill-in performance, McDermott seemed to emphasize ball security, which as I mentioned earlier, was an issue for McKenzie last game.

“I mean ya… this is his first game, so there’s work to be done there,” McDermott said about Stevenson. “I thought he handled himself fairly well in his first game. More than anything, I thought he came in, having not played in particular for a few months, he handled himself well. So it’s really number one about taking care of the football. That’s number one… that’s the number one thing I’m looking for.”

While McKenzie was inactive in the game itself, he was active on social media, catching some fans by surprise.

In an exchange on Twitter, prior to Thursday night’s game, McKenzie told one Bills fans he was out for the season.

McKenzie also re-shared a tweet that emphasized despite the recent turn of events, he has in fact been reliable with the football.

At the end of the day, the Bills won and that is really all that should matter, but it is good to know that even in moments like this, the players on the team can take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Like Breida said, chances are at some point going forward, the team is going to need McKenzie again and in the interim, being a good teammate goes a long way.

McKenzie and fellow inactive teammate, running back Zack Moss, even got to share some turkey and some dance moves after the victory. A pretty delicious result for Thanksgiving… even if they weren’t directly involved on the field.

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Report card: Bills top Saints, 31-6, on Thanksgiving

Report card: #Bills top #Saints, 31-6, on Thanksgiving (via @NateMendelson):

Coming off a brutal loss in Indianapolis to the Colts, the Bills had a short week to get over their ghosts. They did just that, taking down the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome, 31-6, on Thanksgiving night.

Buffalo (7-4) dominated the Saints (5-6) exactly how they should have with New Orleans missing so many key components.

Here’s how Bills Wire graded Buffalo after the win:

Instant analysis: Bills stuff Saints in Thanksgiving win

Instant analysis: #Bills stuff #Saints in Thanksgiving win (via @jdiloro):

The Buffalo Bills put together a much more palatable performance Thanksgiving, easily handling the New Orleans Saints, 31-6, in late-night action.

Buffalo’s play washed away the bad taste from a poor performance last Sunday and currently places the Bills in a tie at the top of the AFC East standings.

The Bills (7-4) offense picked apart the New Orleans defense. Buffalo  faced some challenges the past few weeks against defenses who played two high safeties, forcing the Bills to take more short-to-intermediary options in the passing game.

In past weeks, quarterback Josh Allen and company were inconsistent with moving the ball down the field in this manner. Thursday, they were much more comfortable taking what the Saints defense game them.

From the first possession of the game, it was apparent that the Bills were emphasizing a quick passing attack. Buffalo’s offense put on a clinic, moving the ball down the field easily to open the game’s scoring.

Allen was decisive with his passes, getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Buffalo’s offense moved the ball 65 in 10 plays, culminating with a seven-yard touchdown reception by tight end Dawson Knox:

Allen added touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and another scoring connection with Knox in the third quarter.

Allen’s numbers might not be gaudy, but he was efficient, throwing 260 passing yards on a 23-for-28 night. Allen’s only major mistake was an interception by Bradley Roby. He tossed a second interception late in the first half, but this followed a deflected pass.

The Bills’ decision to start running back Matt Breida paid off in the Big Easy, as Brieda added some energy to a lethargic run attack. The numbers weren’t astounding, but the fear of Breida’s speed added a new element to Buffalo’s attack. Breida ran nine times for 26 yards. He added a receiving touchdown on a screen pass in the fourth quarter, cementing Buffalo’s dominance in this game.

With tonight’s performance, Breida may have pushed his way into even more playing time moving forward:

It was easy pickings for Buffalo’s defense as well. The Saints were missing several important players, including  RB Alvin Kamara, RB Mark Ingram, TE Adam Trautman, and OL Ryan Ramczak.

New Orleans quarterback Trevor Siemian was overwhelmed all night.

The Saints produced only 64 yards of offense in the first half. Even with garbage time progress from the Saints offense, the unit could only total 190 yards.

The Bills defense feasted on Siemian all night. New Orleans did not have a weapon on offense who could challenge the Bills defense.

Buffalo was helped by the return of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds from injury. He tied for the team lead with eight total tackles.

Pass rusher Mario Addison recorded a sack, while DE Efe Obada and DT Ed Oliver split another sack. Safety Jordan Poyer intercepted Siemian midway through the fourth quarter, adding to the Saints’ misery.

As a unit, the defense shut down any hope that New Orleans may have had to make this a competitive game. The Saints managed only 44 rushing yards, averaging 1.8 yards per carry.

The Bills are at the top of the AFC East, tied with New England at 7-4. The Patriots play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The outcome of that game will determine if the Bills stay ahead of the Patriots or if they slide back to second in the division. No matter what, this is setting up an interesting December for Buffalo, as they play New England twice during the month.

The rivals face off Dec. 6,  a Monday night clash in Orchard Park.

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Bills at Saints: 7 things to watch for during Week 12’s game

#Bills at #Saints: 7 things to watch for during Week 12’s game:

The Buffalo Bills will look to bounce back in their Week 12 game. The Bills (6-4) visit the New Orleans Saints (5-5) after losing to the Indianapolis Colts, 41-15.

Once this Thanksgiving battle gets going, there will a few particular things to keep in mind throughout it.

With that, here are seven things to watch for during Week 12’s Bills-Saints matchup:

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Sean McDermott is direct when saying RB Matt Breida has earned more touches

Sean McDermott is direct when saying #Bills RB Matt Breida has earned more touches going forward:

Like Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, we’re going to be short and sweet.

“Yes.”

That was McDermott’s answer on Wednesday when he answered a question many have wondered.

In the Bills’ past two games, their best running back has been Matt Breida. For much of the early parts of this season, Breida has been inactive/

However, since being added in the fold the past two weeks, he has thrived.

The coach was asked this question on WGR-550 Radio in Buffalo. Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber had the transcript:

In his past two games, Breida has rushed the ball only eight times but has 79 total yards on the ground with a touchdown. Breida has also contributed four catches, 38 yards and a score as a receiver.

Buffalo has rarely gotten that type of production from anyone in their backfield for much of this season, including Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.

While those touches are limited in total, Breida said earlier this week that he is still feeling that he’s been in a good flow when he does get them.

“I was able to break off a big chunk in the first play,” Breida said via the Buffalo News about his 28-yard rush against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. “I was able to get out there. And then came back to me twice. I think it was just one of the things where like, when you get a rhythm going – [Buffalo offensive coordinator] (Brian) Daboll knows that, too. When you’ve got a rhythm, whether pass or run, you just want to keep that going.”

Now it just remains to be seen if Breida’s workload and possibly rhythm does increase against the Saints on Thanksgiving… as it did against the Colts when he outsnapped Moss.

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Report card: Bills stomped by Colts, 41-15

Report card: #Bills stomped by #Colts, 41-15 (via @NateMendelson);

Not sure many, if any, people saw this one coming. The Buffalo Bills have failed to win consecutive games for six weeks now and their schedule only gets more difficult.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) ran all over the Bills (6-4), literally, with running back Jonathan Taylor scoring five touchdowns.

Here’s how Bills Wire graded Buffalo after their 41-15 loss in this week’s report card:

Bills ground game has historic breakout in Week 10

#Bills ground game has historic breakout in Week 10:

The Bills are winners once again, bulldozing the Jets on Sunday in a lopsided 45-17 victory following an off-performance against Jacksonville.

While seeking consistency as they prepare for the remainder of their regular-season opponents, the team had a game more like the kind fans have grown accustomed to seeing from Josh Allen and company.

There was also a significant development that stood out during the win, one in an area of offense that has been criticized often over the past year.

The Bills ground game came alive. And they did so in historic fashion.

A week after Josh Allen and the offense failed to make it into the endzone, they did just that and more. While the QB went 21 of 28 for 366 yards and two passing TD’s, it was the personnel that got it done on the ground who turned some heads.

This year’s kickoff return man, McKenzie got in on the action, taking the ball for an eight-yard TD capping a 75 yard, five-possession drive to start the second half. 

Then, also in the third quarter, Matt Breida and Zack Moss joined him, as did Devin Singletary in the fourth quarter, all adding touchdowns of their own.

The four different player carries for scores was a Bills franchise first.

And that wasn’t the only franchise mark set, as the Bills’ total points on the season increased to 280 setting a new team record for the first nine games of a season (278 in 1964.)

In the winning effort, Buffalo’s 54 offensive plays had an average of 9.1 yards for a season-high 489 yards. It was the second-highest single-game yards per play total in team history (9.3 ypp at Seattle on 12/23/2000, 579 yards on 62 plays.)

Hopefully, this encouraging development is a sign of things to come.

Moss and Singletary had previously struggled to perform to the level many have expected. Shaking off some of the rust and criticism, the two third-round picks from consecutive NFL Drafts each made an impact in the final score.

And another name that jumped off the stat sheet paper was Matt Breida’s.

The free-agent signee and former 49er was active for the first time since Week 2. In those first two contests, he only had four carries. On Sunday he had six total carries and two TD’s for 15 yards each, one of which was a first-quarter pass from Allen.

Head coach Sean McDermott spoke complimented their performance. “We ran the ball I thought effectively, in particular in the second half, mostly in the third quarter, ” McDermott said while addressing the media after the game.

He also noted Breida was a part of their plans for Sunday all along. “He [Breida] was gonna be in the plan it was just a matter of how much,” Mcdermott added. “He gave us a spark.”

Josh Allen spoke about how the RB’s speed was a big factor in his ability to make plays.

“He’s able to make one cut and go. You see it in the passing game too,” Allen said alongside Breida during the postgame press conference. “First drive, saw what I saw, darted upfield, and we were on the same page there. This is a guy that hasn’t had many opportunities throughout the year, but he made the most of it today. It was good to see.”

The Bills will now turn their attention towards facing the Indianapolis Colts, against whom they will look to find similar success at home in Orchard Park next Sunday.

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Brian Daboll talks position flexibility factor in Bills win

Brian Daboll talks position flexibility factor in #Bills win:

The Bills had a big bounce-back win on Sunday, putting up 489 total yards of offense against the Jets.

Following an uncharacteristic loss to Jacksonville the previous week, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll came forward to own his share for the loss.

He did so following some very public criticism for an offensive performance against the Jaguars in which Buffalo didn’t make it into the end zone.

This week, the Bills offense looked back to form.

A key feature of the Bills culture in player scouting and development also played out on the field during the game. Position flexibility, to be exact.

“The more position flexibility the players have on your roster the easier it is to do,” Daboll said while addressing the media. “I think every week is such a different week. I think our backs had 17 carries this week, so we had some other people carry the ball for us, Emmanuel [Sanders] carried it, “Little Man” [Isaiah McKenzie] carried it.”

Under Sean McDermott, Daboll has flourished since the team drafted QB Josh Allen and gave him offensive weapons and playmakers. The OC’s offense frequently has incorporated trick plays, notably position players with prior quarterback experience in their playing background throwing touchdown passes.

But as the roster depth has expanded, so has the playbook.

Anyone who has watched the Bills regularly since Daboll became the offensive coordinator may have noticed he frequently runs trick plays, often involving players from the receiving corps and other positions.

It’s also not uncommon for him to use players with experience at quarterback in their background, or for those trick plays to end in touchdowns.

Over the past year, there has been an increase in running plays with non-RB players such as Dawson Knox and Isaiah McKenzie.

“What you have to be in this league is consistent because it can get you pretty quick,” said the Bills offensive coordinator. “A bad performance, if you let it, can weigh you down and a good performance can get you too high.”

Buffalo’s consistency has paid off, and their diverse offense ranks second in the NFL in points per game. The creative playmaking on Sunday helped to add to those numbers and caught the eye of the team’s head coach Sean McDermott.

“I thought Brian Daboll called a great game. I really did,” McDermott said to the press following the game. “Changed the look enough and changed the profile of the offense, and I thought that was well executed and good to get stuff going there. [The offense] gives us tons of energy.”

Mckenzie took over as the kickoff return man this year for Pro Bowler Andre Roberts and his experience getting playing time on kickoff returns and running plays is growing.

The added versatility that players like McKenzie bring to the roster came in handy in a game where Buffalo looked to shake off the funk of their loss to Jacksonville.

“That what makes teams really good is how you handle adversity,” added Daboll. “It’s easy to sit there on cloud nine when you’ve got six wins in a row but adversity builds character if you handle it the right way.”

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