That’s a wrap.
The fourth and final preseason game is known for bubble players having one last chance to demonstrate their abilities are worthy of a coveted spot on an 53-man NFL roster.
For the Buffalo Bills, some players shined while others perhaps saw their last action in the NFL this season as the Bills suffered a17-10 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
Take the first score of the game, provided by cornerback Ron Brooks for example:
Caught. Tackled. Bobbled. Picked. Pick-6? There’s a new leader for craziest play of preseason. #BUFvsDET http://t.co/0gSmzJBH4E
— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2015
The NFL’s Twitter handle dubbed the play as potentially the craziest of the preseason thus far, thankful to a big hit provided by cornerback Merill Noel, who is living on the bubble headed into the Bills’ final roster cuts. Both Brooks and Noel had a strong showing Thursday night.
Fourth string quarterback Matt Simms lead the Bills offense for the duration of the entire game, producing just three points while going 22 of 38 for 223 passing yards with no touchdowns. The Bills offense failed to reach the endzone on the evening and produced three turnovers.
Two fumbles occurred on the snap exchange of the ball between center and quarterback, while the third turnover came on a poor decision by Simms. Rather than hold the ball and eat the sack, Simms tried to throw it away while being hit. The ball ended up going backwards and was considered live as the Lions recovered.
If my words aren’t descriptive enough:
Matt Simms, American football quarterback https://t.co/1r3RCvRr37 — Rob Quinn (@RQUINN619) September 4, 2015
Simms was credited with all three fumbles for the Bills.
Kicker Dan Carpenter continued to struggle and is in serious trouble of being released by the team after head coach Rex Ryan told the Buffalo News “I am concerned…we’re the only team in the league that keeps a kickoff specialist. With that being said, you do that to make sure you’re giving your kicker a chance to focus on one thing and that’s field goals.”
“We have to see him kick better. Quite honestly, he needs to,” Ryan said Wednesday.
Carpenter went 1 for 2 on field goals, connecting on a 43-yard attempt in the first half while dinging a 40-yarder off the right upright in the second half.
Carpenter has been recovering from a groin injury throughout the preseason, which he has claimed has disrupted his timing. Carpenter has missed three attempts of 4o-yards or more this preseason, as well as an extra point.
Carpenter and Simms struggled and have to be concerned they will not see their names on the Bills’ final roster.
Less than a week after releasing long-time Bill Fred Jackson earlier in the week, the coaching staff must have been pleased with Bryce Brown‘s performance tonight. Brown lead the team in rushing with 37 yards on 9 attempts, with a 4.1 yards-per-carry average.
The deadline for NFL teams to make their final cuts is September 5th, upon the completion of the preseason.
The Bills open up the regular season at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 13th at 1 pm.
