Tag: Matt Haack

What Bills punter Matt Haack said about struggles heading into wild-card round

What punter Matt Haack said about struggles last week against the #Jets as the Bills head into the wild-card round:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Buffalo Bills punter Matt Haack has the spotlight on him heading into his team’s wild-card matchup against the New England Patriots.

Haack, in his first season with the Bills (11-6), had a horrid final game of the season against the New York Jets. Multiple shanked punts and a bobbled attempt to boot.

But as an experienced player in his fifth NFL season, Haack isn’t overly concerned ahead of facing the Patriots (10-7). He’s using a simple formula to help keep the confidence high.

Every punt wasn’t bad on Sunday.

“I think I had three or four punts that, actually, I was happy with in that game, going into that gusty wind,” Haack told the Buffalo News. “I expect a lot out of myself, and I don’t want to let my team down. But to be able to finish on a high note like that and put together some good punts, I think it’s big. It shows I didn’t let those few bad mistakes into the whole game.”

The Bills are going to need Haack to at least tread water against the Patriots this weekend. Teams can get away with such mistakes while facing a team like the Jets.

Buffalo won’t like their chances as much against New England if the special teams miscues start to pile up.

Earlier this week, head coach Sean McDermott was trying to boost the Bills punter up with some confidence.

“I think he’s done some really good things for our football team,” McDermott said via video conference. “There were plays we all obviously want back. I’m sure that he wants some of those back. I love the fact that he’s a resilient competitor and I can’t wait to watch him moving forward.”

Hopefully that’ll be enough of a pat on the back for Haack to bounce back in Orchard Park this weekend.

weekend: Super Bowl dreams could ride on it.

[lawrence-related id=95175,95157,95158]

What Sean McDermott said about Bills punter Matt Haack

What Sean McDermott said about #Bills punter Matt Haack:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The goal for a regular season finale each year is typically one of two things.

First, win, as usual.

Second, avoid hiccups.

The Buffalo Bills did only one of those two things against the New York Jets in their finale on Sunday.

The Bills (11-6) beat the Jets (4-13) by a 27-10 final. There were a few bad spots, none brighter than what happened at punter.

Buffalo had multiple shanked kicks from Matt Haack. He also went on to lose a snap.

All in all, it was a poor game for Haack in a season where he hasn’t been overly impressive. But that begged the question, were Haack’s efforts against the Jets the one that broke the camel’s back?

It doesn’t sound like it. On Tuesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott reflected on Haack. He supported his punter.

“I think he’s done some really good things for our football team,” McDermott said via video conference. “There were plays we all obviously want back. I’m sure that he wants some of those back. I love the fact that he’s a resilient competitor and I can’t wait to watch him moving forward.”

It might seem like a quick fix to switch Haack out. Just find a guy that can kick the ball better, right?

Not so fast.

While Haack’s main duties are to punt, he also has chemistry built up with other specialists. Longer snapper Reid Ferguson knows exactly how he likes the ball snapped.

Speaking of which, Haack is also the holder for place kicker Tyler Bass.

It’s not just a plug-and-play type of move even if there is someone in house.

Punter Jamie Gillan was signed to Buffalo’s practice squad a few weeks ago and is still there.

Even when asked about Gillan, McDermott beat around the bush. The coach even said ask general manager Brandon Beane why Gillan is there instead.

Haack currently has McDermott’s full backing and that’s probably the team’s best bet. Inspiring hope in him could turn the mental aspect of things around for Haack.

One has to assume it’s at an all-time low.

In terms of those extra intangibles, special teams coordinator Heath Farwell previously touted those exact things with Haack as well. Speaking to the Buffalo News last month, those were some of the first things the coach mentioned.

“(Haack) is coming on nicely, as far as punting. He’s been unbelievable for Bass. He is the best caddie, as I call him, in the league as far as he’s an elite holder. That helps Bass be who he is. He’s a big brother to him. And he’s coaching him up and helping him out. He has a great feel for everything. We just love him in the room. I can’t say enough good things about him,” Farwell said.

After the season ends, this question will likely surface again. But for now, Haack is safe.

And the Bills will need him to play like it in the playoffs.

[lawrence-related id=95083,95074,95069]

Report card: Bills ground Jets 27-10 to win AFC East

Report card: #Bills ground #Jets 27-10 to win AFC East (via @NateMendelson):

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=IUEX8Pu0Dz-1720979-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on

The Bills are going back to the playoffs as division champions. Last time they made it to the AFC Championship game, this time they hope it’s the Super Bowl.

Buffalo will be the third seed in the AFC after defeating the Jets, 27-10, and going 11-6 in the NFL’s first 17-game regular season.

Here’s how Bills Wire graded the team in Week 18:

Buffalo Bills pull off NFL feat for first time since 2004

Punting is lame:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

We have an asterisk, but the Buffalo Bills do officially hate punting the ball it appears.

Two weeks ago in a win over the New England Patriots, the Bills (10-6) became the first team to not punt in a game against a team coached by Bill Belichick. Buffalo has now doubled down.

In the Bills’ 29-15 win in Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo again did not punt. It’s the first time since the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers that a team has not punted in back-to-back games:

The first of the two contests has gotten a bit more reaction. Belichick is a big deal. But then there’s that asterisk.

While the Bills did not officially have any “traditional” punts… punter Matt Haack did do some work.

Buffalo returner Marquez Stevenson fumbled the ball against the Falcons. It led to a safety, which then causes an ensuing safety punt.

But hey, that’s still a long, long time without a classic punt.

In fact, according to WIVB-TV‘s Nick Veronica, it it has been well over two hours of game time since Haack was trotted out on the field:

[lawrence-related id=94535,94533,94531]

Report card: Buffalo Bills blowout Miami Dolphins, 35-0

Report card: #Bills blowout the #Dolphins, here’s how we graded the them out (via @NateMendelson):

https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=USSu9vYvt3-1518203-7498&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json

The Bills needed to rebound after a tough Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Luckily, they faced Josh Allen’s favorite opponent: the Miami Dolphins, In Week 2.

Buffalo recorded their largest shutout of the Dolphins since 1966 with a 35-0 win.

Following the Bills win, here’s how Bills Wire graded Buffalo out in this week’s report card:

What we learned from Bills’ preseason win over the Bears

What we learned from Bills’ preseason win over the Bears (via @NateMendelson):

The Buffalo Bills made it look awfully easy from start to finish against the Chicago Bears in their second preseason game. The Bills leave Chicago with a 41-15 win.

As is always the case in the preseason, there were plenty of things to note in the contest when reading between the lines.

Here are eight things we learned from the Bills’ preseason win over the Bears:

Isaiah McKenzie working out with new Bills punter Matt Haack

Buffalo Bills’ Isaiah McKenzie, Matt Haack, working out together.

Isaiah McKenzie is already putting in some early offseason return work.

McKenzie recently re-signed with the Bills and following the departure of Andre Roberts to the Texans, McKenzie is in the front of the line in terms of those that could replace Roberts as a returner.

The Bills recently signed return man Brandon Powell to a contract and those two will likely battle for Buffalo’s kick return job during this offseason’s training camp. Maybe McKenzie is trying to get every advantage he can in that competition because he was working out with another new teammate on Monday.

It wasn’t Powell, rather, the Bills’ new punter Matt Haack. McKenzie posted this video on his social media account on Instagram and tagged Haack in the post:

While Powell will certainly get his looks at earning a roster spot, at least on paper for now, McKenzie is the favorite to win the job. Not only does McKenzie already play a pivotal on Buffalo’s offense as a gadget type player, he also had a nice game returning the ball in 2020.

In the Bills’ season finale, Roberts got the day off ahead of the playoffs and McKenzie got an opportunity. Roberts was very successful during his time in Buffalo, however, he never took a return in for a score. McKenzie did so last year in Week 17 on a punt. 

[lawrence-related id=80158,80138,80150,80120]

Dolphins’ secret weapon in the kicking game becoming harder to miss

Dolphins’ secret weapon in the kicking game becoming harder to miss

The excitement surrounding the Miami Dolphins’ recent 3-1 stretch of play to return to .500 on the season could easily be pointed in a number of different directions. We could talk about the offense and how it averages nearly 28 points per game, or we could talk about a defense that is quite suddenly among the tops in the NFL in scoring defense. But there is a third component to the game of football that is often overlooked. But it shouldn’t be, at least not for this Miami Dolphins team.

Sure, you know all about Jason Sanders, the kicker who has started the season a perfect 15/15 kicking field goals for Miami. But how about Dolphins punter Matt Haack? Haack is enjoying the best stretch of his pro career as the Dolphins’ punter thus far this season, accentuated by his performance against the New York Jets as Miami felt content to play the field position battle with the Jets.

Miami, who jumped out to an early 21-0 lead, saw Haack take the field for seven punts on Sunday — which is as many kicks as his previous three games combined. And on those seven punts, Haack offered the following results:

  • 6 fair catches
  • 5 punts inside the Jets’ 20-yard line
  • 3 punts inside the Jets’ 10-yard line

The Dolphins effectively dared the Jets to move the distance of the field against them and asked Haack to keep the Jets pinned deep. Not only did Haack oblige, he thrived. For a player whose kicking resume has been scattershot in recent memory, getting as good of performances as Miami has gotten from Haack this season is a huge development and a huge upgrade.

Miami will look to continue to piece together ideal “team” efforts — but team efforts aren’t complete unless the special teams units tie it all together. On Sunday against the Jets, Haack did his part to keep the screws on the Jets and help Miami climb back to .500 on the season.

Dolphins officially resign P Matt Haack to restricted FA tender

Dolphins officially resign P Matt Haack to restricted FA tender

The Miami Dolphins have officially locked in punter Matt Haack, confirming that Miami’s special teamers will likely be returning in full force once again in 2020. Haack, who has served as Miami’s punter in each of the last three seasons, will return for a fourth barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Haack, of course, was a part of the Dolphins’ stellar “Mountaineer Shot” trick play — a critical moment in Miami’s victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in December of 2019. The play, which won the NFL’s play of the year award in 2019, featured Haack’s back-handed toss to kicker Jason Sanders for a touchdown and provided Miami fans with a memorable trick play that will be remembered for years to come. Would it have been nice to see come in a more meaningful season? Sure. But the Dolphins’ rebuild will be looked at favorably — 2019 included — if this team is able to secure long-term success and reboot their once proud winning ways.

And, at least for now, Haack looks to continue to be a piece of the puzzle. Haack averaged a career best 41.1 net yards per punt in 2019, all while punting 14 times less than his previous career low (69 punts in 2019).

As Miami’s offense continues to improve, ideally we’ll see less and less of Haack throughout the season. That is, of course, unless he’s making a guest appearance to throw another touchdown somewhere down the line.

Eagles fall to 5-7 after embarrassing 37-31 road loss to the Dolphins

Eagles fall to 5-7 after embarrassing 37-31 road loss to the Dolphins

It’s hard to have a glass-half-full mentality when you watched your team give up 37 points to a Miami Dolphins franchise in the midst of tanking. That’s exactly what happened as the Eagles fell to 5-7 on the season after an embarrassing 37-31 debacle in Miami, that saw Ryan Fitzpatrick once again shred the Philadelphia secondary.

It’s the third loss in a row for a team that still has aspirations for an NFC East title after allowing 37 points to a team that was averaging less than 15 per game.

For Miami, Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like a franchise signal-caller, going 27 of 39 for 365 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

The Eagles defense looked formidable over the past few weeks but on Sunday, they allowed 20-unanswered points in the second half, with one drive going for 96-yards.

DeVante Parker dominated the Eagles secondary, catching seven passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns while looking like a man among boys while facing the Birds secondary.

Miami’s final drive was a 13-play, 50-yard drive that took six minutes off the clock and gave the Dolphins a nine-point lead with less than three minutes remaining.

For Philadelphia, it’s a game that Carson Wentz can be proud of, as the Eagles star went 28 of 46 for 310 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on the games final play.