Tag: tyler bass

B/R hands Bills’ 2020 rookie class high mark

Buffalo Bills 2020 rookie class handed a top grade for their rookies.

The Bills didn’t leave the 2020 NFL Draft with the sexiest haul. That’s what not having a first-round pick does to you.

Still, Bleacher Report recently graded every draft class from the recent rookie selection extravaganza and graded them after their first full seasons. Despite the lack of high-profile prospect, the Bills (13-3) still landed with a promising mark.

Overall, B/R handed Buffalo an ‘A’ which is the top mark the outlet handed out. Here’s how B/R broke down the Bills’ rookie class:

The Buffalo Bills walked an interesting tight rope with their draft haul.

Second-rounder A.J. Epenesa tallied only one sack while playing 27 percent of the defense’s snaps, and fourth-rounder Gabriel Davis surprised by finishing third on the team in receiving with 35 catches for 599 yards and seven scores.

Third-round running back Zack Moss had 112 carries, scoring four times and averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has the look of a long-term breakout alongside Devin Singletary.

The Bills didn’t have a major need for backup quarterback Jake Fromm, but sixth-round kicker Tyler Bass hit 28 of his 34 attempts, including four of six from 50-plus yards. Epenesa needs some time, but this group’s across-the-board rookie production suggests it has a bright future.

Much of Buffalo’s rookie group looks promising because of future potential, none of them rookie “broke out” in their first seasons, but it’s nice to see B/R recognizing that. Moss and Epenesa, the top-two picks for the Bills, weren’t asked to do much, but they had their moments. As the year went on, both started to see larger roles.

Undoubtedly the most promising of the entire haul is the kicker. While struggling due to weather in the Bills’ AFC Divisional round win vs. the Ravens, overall, for a first-year pro, Bass certainly improved as the season rolled on. His future looks bright.

 

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Browns OL Wyatt Teller still rooting for Buffalo: ‘I love Bills Mafia’

Buffalo Bills Mafia gets support from Cleveland Browns OL Wyatt Teller.

There was a distinct chance that Wyatt Teller wouldn’t be rooting for the Bills this weekend. That scenario would have come if his team won on Sunday and he was facing his former teammates.

That’s understandable.

However, Buffalo trading him to Cleveland creates no hard feelings in him, he said on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the season that was for him after the Browns lost to Buffalo’s upcoming opponent in the Divisional round, the Kansas City Chiefs, Teller took a second to look ahead to next weekend. Teller said his heart is pulling for the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

“I hope the best for them and all the success to them,” Teller said per Browns Wire. “Josh (Allen), I’ve texted him multiple times, Harrison Phillips, Ike Boettger, a bunch of the guys on the offensive line. Dion Dawkins, I made sure to say hey to him. FaceTimed him a couple times.”

Teller also expressed being thankful the Bills were the team to draft him back in 2018.

“They gave me my shot. They drafted me there,” Teller said. “I understand it’s business. I kind of grew a part of that family there. I love Bills Mafia. I’m pulling for ’em. I wish the best for ’em.”

Just ahead of the 2019 season, the Bills dealt Teller to the Browns. Buffalo made an effort to bolster their offensive line prior to last season and hoped competition would do it. The Bills signed guys like Jon Feliciano and Quinton Spain… in the process, there were others left on the outside looking in and among those were Teller.

Buffalo shipped him and a 2021 seventh-round pick to to the Browns for fifth and sixth-round pick, both of which were in 2020.

The fallout from this trade is both good and bad for the Bills in the end.

For Teller, it’s all good on his end. He’s an anchor for the Browns now and Pro Football Focus grades him as the best guard in the entire NFL from this past season. On the flip side, Bills gave up Teller, who was a fifth-round pick himself, for two late-round picks. Not good business for a guy that ended up being a very highly-praised prospect.

But the Bills did make those two picks count. That fifth rounder? It was part of the package that helped the Bills land wide receiver Stefon Diggs. That sixth-round pick? That became kicker Tyler Bass and after settling in, he looks to be Buffalo’s answer at kicker for the very long time.

While Teller could be a guy that would make the Buffalo offense line a better unit right now … the Bills certainly did make those two picks count.

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8 studs, 4 duds in Bills’ 17-3 win over the Ravens

Buffalo Bills studs and duds from 17-3 win over Baltimore Ravens in AFC Divisional round.

The Buffalo Bills won by fine margins against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round of the playoffs, 17-3. It also came in the reserve fashion that we’re used to.

The Bills defense led the way while the offense did just enough. Buffalo had become accustomed doing to the opposite in 2020. But a win is a win.

With that, Bills Wire had eight studs and four duds from the Bills’ Divisional win over the Ravens here:

Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Studs

CB Taron Johnson

What do we need to say? You know the entire story here. Taron Johnson’s interception could go down as one of the biggest play in Bills history depending on how far this team goes moving forward.

WR Stefon Diggs

Bills quarterback Josh Allen had 206 passing yards and 106 of them went to Stefon Diggs via eight catches. Diggs also scored Buffalo’s lone touchdown on offense. Diggs was impressive, in particular, moving the chains with his catches.

WR John Brown

John Brown had a big block with Gabe Davis on Diggs’ touchdown catch. Brown also kind of took Davis’ job from last week, didn’t he? After not having a catch last week, Brown had eight for 62 yards against the Ravens, often working the sideline on his routes in an impressive manner.

DC Leslie Frazier

We’ll get to some individual players on defense, but defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier deserves some love first and foremost. He, and head coach Sean McDermott, schemed up a perfect plan to contain Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson. In addition, Frazier is also Buffalo’s play-caller for the defense. Masterful job at that as well by Frazier.

LB Matt Milano

Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox, and Trey Burton combined for 14 catches for 136 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion catch against the Bills last week. Matt Milano didn’t do a good job against any of them. He turned it around in a massive way against the Ravens, helping shutdown tight end Mark Andrews. On a massive 11 targets, Andrews had four catches for 28 yards.

Milano ended up contributing two passes defended in the game. One huge one against Andrews came on third down near midfield.

LB Tremaine Edmunds

Tremaine Edmunds led the Bills with nine total tackles and his sideline-to-sideline skills were on display early. He tracked down Jackson to end two early drives quickly and was a big part in shutting down the quarterback all game long.

OL Mitch Morse

Kudos to Mitch Morse for his bounce-back effort. He had a tough game vs. the Colts, but held Calais Campbell at bay for most of the game against the Ravens. While the Bills didn’t really run the ball much, Morse did put his mobility on display when they did, getting to the second-level to help multiple time. The entire interior of the Bills’ offensive line preformed well in pass protection, not allowing a single sack. Both of the Ravens’ takeaways came off the edge.

DE Jerry Hughes

The longest tenured member of the Bills had two sacks on Jackson and pressured him throughout the game. It was poetic justice to see a guy that’s been around Buffalo for so long have such an impact in a huge game.

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Playoff milestones Josh Allen, Bills reached vs. Colts

Postseason milestones QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills reached vs. Indianapolis Colts in Wild Card round.

As the Bills now look to the AFC Divisional round vs. Ravens (11-5), their win against the Colts came with some milestones that deserve some recognition first. The 27-24 win itself was Buffalo’s first playoff victory in 25 years, but there was more where that came from.

Here’s a rundown of a couple of those postseason milestones a couple of Bills (13-3) players reached vs. the Colts last week:

  • K Tyler Bass connected on his first-career playoff kick from 46 yards and then set an NFL record. His next, from 54 was the longest-ever kick for a rookie in the postseason.
  • In throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another, QB Josh Allen became the first player in Bills history to do so.
  • The Bills had a 96-yard scoring drive on offense which finished with a rushing score from Allen. That was the longest scoring drive in team history.
  • Allen had 300-plus passing yards, a 70-plus completion percentage and rushed for 50-plus yards. He’s the only player in NFL history to do so in a single-game.
  • In his career, Allen has rushed, thrown, and caught a touchdown dating back to 2019’s postseason. He’s only one of five players in NFL history to do so.
  • Sean McDermott joined Marv Levy (11), Lou Saban (2) and Chuck Knox (1) as the only coaches in Bills history to win a playoff game.
  • WR Gabriel Davis had four catches for 85 yards. That’s the best rookie receiving game in the postseason ever by Bill.
  • Allen completed 12-straight passes during the game, surpassing Jim Kelly’s previous record of nine.

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Bills consider adding Tristan Vizcaino as ’emergency kicker’

Buffalo Bills to sign Tristan Vizcaino as “emergency” COVID-19 kicker.

The Buffalo Bills displayed their willingness to leave no stone unturned once again on Monday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills (13-3) will bring in kicker Tristan Vizcaino for a tryout this week.

The reasoning behind the decision is evidently to have a backup for rookie Tyler Bass, not a replacement. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Bills are reportedly only bringing Vizcaino aboard in case an emergency situation requiring a backup were to come about.

Check back for updates…

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Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ win over the Colts

The Bills won 27-24 over the Indianapolis Colts in a tense battle to kickoff the Wild Card weekend.

The Buffalo Bills broke their 25-year playoff winning drought with their 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday’s Wild Card outing. It was an intense atmosphere that saw both teams exchange leads, a 54-yard field goal, plenty of officiating reviews, and a failed Hail Mary. The Bills ultimately prevailed and will get to host another playoff game in the divisional round.

Following the Buffalo victory, here’s how the Bills fared in this week’s stock report:

Stock up

Josh Allen

There were a ton of questions being asked of quarterback Josh Allen entering the Wild Card weekend, most of them were if he could shake last years collapse against the Houston Texans. To answer those questions, yes… yes he could. Allen was dynamic against one of the best defenses in the league, lighting them up for 378 total yards and three total touchdowns.

Credit to the Colts, they made life difficult for Allen flushing him out of the pocket, and forcing him to make tough throws. Unfortunately for the Colts, their secondary couldn’t cover receivers Gabe Davis or Stefon Diggs when the play broke down. Of course, if his receivers weren’t open he made plays with legs, rushing for 54 yards and one touchdown.

These types of performances will be needed from Allen if the Bills want to continue beyond the Wild Card weekend.

Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis

What more can be said about Stefon Diggs? He’s an elite receiver who can make even the best of defenses look foolish. Diggs’ first catch showed one of his more underrated talents… his toughness. It was a 37-yard grab over the middle where he took a shot from the Colts safety. Diggs got right back up, and immediately started jawing at the Indianapolis secondary.

He wasn’t just tough, he also put up great numbers.  Diggs had six catches for 128 yards and one touchdown to lead the Bills. A sensational effort for his debut performance in front of Bills Mafia.

We’re not done talking about the receiving corp though… how good is Gabriel Davis? The rookie made clutch catches throughout the game, especially on the Bills final drive of the first half. Both of his catches came down the sideline, helping set up a Josh Allen touchdown to the end the half.

Like Diggs, Davis had an impressive stat line, four grabs for 85 yards. An average of 21.3 yards per catch. A big play waiting to happen.

Micah Hyde

The Bills defense had a shaky performance against Indy, they struggled to stop the run, allowing 163 yards on the ground, and didn’t put any pressure on Philip Rivers. So when the Bills needed a big play, Micah Hyde delivered. He stepped up in the run in the game, denying Jonathan Taylor in the red zone, and made the play of the season so far in the closing seconds of the game.

To set the scene: The Bills are hanging onto to a three-point lead, and there are just four seconds left in the game. Future Hall of Famer Philip Rivers has a shot to steal the game for the Colts, he launches a 60-yard Hail Mary towards receiver T.Y. Hilton. Buffalo has seen this before, Week 10, the Hail Murray. Hearts are in the throats all throughout Western New York, but before Hilton can break the hearts of Buffalo, Hyde spikes the pass down with authority sealing the victory.

Honorable mentions

Both linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano had good games, breaking up passes, and meeting running backs in the backfield. Kicker Tyler Bass hit a 54 yard field goal, setting the playoff record for longest field goal made by a rookie. Finally, offensive linemen Daryl Williams. Williams jumped on Josh Allen’s fumble in the 4th quarter, which could have been disastrous if the Colts recovered.

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Stock up, stock down following the Bills’ win over the Dolphins

The Bills won their final game of the season and moved to 13-3 over their dismantling of the Miami Dolphins.

In the regular season finale the Buffalo Bills asserted their dominance over the Miami Dolphins with a 56-26 victory. It surprised most with the fact that the majority of starters played the first half, but it worked out perfectly for Buffalo (13-3). In that first half the Bills hung 28 on the ‘Fins (10-6), with all 28 being scored in the second quarter. Buffalo’s star quarterback Josh Allen had 224 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, putting the game away early.

But while it was a huge game against from the Bills QB, a number of Bills players affected the outcome of this one. Here’s Bills Wire’s latest stock report following their win over the Dolphins in Week 17:

Stock up

Isaiah McKenzie

The pre-game build up was all about the return of Josh Brown, we guess Isaiah McKenzie didn’t get the memo? McKenzie was the star of the show in the first half, catching two touchdowns, and adding an electric 84-yard punt return for a touchdown.

A hat-trick of touchdowns are always impressive, but this was his best game in terms of catches and yards. McKenzie had six grabs for 65 yards as well. Not bad. The Bills have Super Bowl aspirations, and if they want to win it, they’ll need performances like this from their rotational players.

Dean Marlowe
Dean Marlowe has been with the Bills since 2017 and has been used sparingly since. This isn’t to slight Marlowe, he just happens to be behind two of the best safeties in the league, but against Miami, he shined. Marlowe played the majority of the second half, and produced two interceptions.
His two picks came off two overthrows from rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and Marlowe was in the right place at the right time. Outside of the two picks he also broke up two other passes, an impressive outing from the backup.
Antonio Williams

If you were one of the people watching the game, and said “who?” when running back Antonio Williams entered the game, you’re not alone. Williams was either on the Bills practice squad or was being cut for most of the year.

The rookie from North Carolina had an excellent debut, he led the team in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Williams ended the game with 12 carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game, with one catch that went for 20 yards.

Corey Bojorquez

Punter Corey Bojorquez has established himself as one of the best punters in the NFL this season and against the Dolphins he had some excellent punts. Bojorquez had just four boots, with two of them landing inside the 20 yard line. One of them even landed inside of the one-yard line for a coffin corner.

Honorable mentions:

Josh Allen had a great first half with 224 yards and three touchdowns, while breaking the Bills single-season record for passing yards. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds had nine tackles, one for loss, and a sack. Finally, rookie kicker Tyler Bass (or Tyler Bas$$ if you’re cool), broke Buffalo’s single season point record with his eight extra points made.

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Bills’ Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs closing in on more franchise records

Buffalo Bills team record updates for Stefon Diggs, Josh Allen.

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It’s been a historical year for the Buffalo Bills, who’ve regularly silenced critics and won new fans alike all while setting franchise marks in several categories. At 11-3 with two games to go, might more benchmarks be broken?

Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wideout Stefon Diggs will likely do just that as the team has two games remaining. Both players have been gaining attention for their accolades on the field and are two of five Buffalo players heading to the Pro Bowl.

In the Bills’ final two contests, Allen is closing in on Jim Kelly’s record for touchdown passes. Currently at 30, Allen needs four more over the next two outings to break Jim Kelly’s record (33) from 1991. 

The other single-season milestone on the horizon is passing yards. After 14 games played, Allen’s sitting in second-place, all-time in team history at a clean 4,000 total passing yards so far in 2020. He entered Week 15 against the Denver Broncos at No. 5 on that list and added 359 passing yards at Mile High to his totals. 

Currently only Drew Bledsoe’s 4,359 passing yards from 2002 sit above Allen. This season Allen’s averaging 285.7 passing yards per game. 

In regard to Diggs, he already blew away one franchise record last week. He needed one catch to surpass Eric Moulds’ single-season catch record of 100.

Diggs had 11 against the Broncos and is up to 111, which currently leads the NFL. Moulds’ other record, receiving yards, was set in 1998 when he had 1,368 total yards. Diggs, with 1,314, only needs 55 more to break that record.

Stay tuned to see if these records get broken in the final weeks of the season.

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Chad Johnson shouts out Bills’ Tyler Bass in Madden ratings video

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass gets shoutout from former All-Pro WR Chad Johnson.

Bills kicker Tyler Bass was so impressive that Chad Johnson gave him a shoutout for his increased skills recently.

Literally, his increased skills in the Madden 20 video game, and yes, we mean the former All-Pro wide receiver.

It’s hard to really explain what it was, but here’s the gist: Johnson broke down why Bass’s skills in the game are increasing. It has to do with his three-straight 50-plus yard fields he made in Week 10 against the Cardinals. The game frequently updates their player ranking each week, and among them this week was Bass, evidently.

Here’s the video:

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How Bills kicker Tyler Bass made history vs. Cardinals

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass makes history vs. Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 via 50-yard kicks.

The Bills offense didn’t make life easy on kicker Tyler Bass against the Cardinals in Week 10.

On your TV screen, you’ll see a “target area” for a kicker when the Bills offense is on the field, at times. When approaching that part of the field, on one occasion, quarterback Josh Allen lost 5 yards on a delay of game penalty. On another, the offense lost a yard on a third-down carry.

Still, the Bills (7-3) trotted their rookie kicker out time and time again against the Cards (6-3) and he not only converted from long range, but he also made history.

According to Pro Football Reference, Bass became the 12th kicker in NFL history to make three 50-yard kicks in a single game. Three in the single game is one thing, but Bass stands alone in one sense. He’s the only one in NFL history to have all three of his split the uprights in one quarter.

In the second stanza, Bass hit from 54, 55 and 58 yards, respectively. All three of those set a new personal career-long for him as well. And worth noting, there was some extra pressure here, too.

His counterpart, Cards kicker Zane Gonzalez, exchanged kicks with him. Bass hit one, then Gonzalez, then Bass, then Gonzalez, and once again… then Bass, to bring the game’s score at the time to 16-9.

Because of Bass and his history-making effort converting on all of those, Arizona needed a miracle to win the game in the end. Still, the Cards cannot take history from him.

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