Buffalo Bills: Things We Know This Week

Doug Flutie vs. Rob Johnson. J.P. Losman vs. Trent Edwards. E.J Manuel vs. Tyrod Taylor. Stop!

“You want to make sure when it’s competition between two guys that you’re giving both guys an opportunity.” – Ken Dorsey

Thank God the Buffalo Bills are out of that position of searching for the starting quarterback. What we do have developing is a backup quarterback controversy. Oops, I mean “quarterback competition”. My bad. Kyle Allen vs. Matt Barkley.

“Both of them graded out very similar.” – Ken Dorsey

I guess I was naive to assume Kyle Allen had the backup position locked up. Barkley was going to be number three, potentially on the practice squad. It made sense. Until Kyle Allen started to struggle in training camp. Then, the first preseason game was played. Allen was not horrible. He completed 8 of 15 passes totaling 122 yards, but did toss a pick six. He certainly was not great. The 27-year old was playing both with and against the better quality of players than Barkley was. Heck, some of the players Barkley played with and against will be on practice squads or even out of the league very soon. Barkley completed 14 of 15 passes for 172 yards and tossed two touchdowns.

“As a quarterback, you have to have a short memory. Don’t lose your confidence, and stay within yourself. Don’t try to do too much.” – Bill Cowher

Don’t go out and buy a Barkley or Kyle Allen jersey just yet. I would not rule out Brandon Beane bringing in another quarterback to assume the position of second string if (and when) Kyle Allen gets cut. There are free agent quarterbacks out there. Big name free agents I must add. Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Nick Foles immediately come to mind. A trade for a backup such as Sam Darnold with the San Francisco 49ers could add some security behind Josh.

“What’s the worst thing that can happen to a quarterback? He loses his confidence.” – Terry Bradshaw

As I prepared to proclaim that the Bills would not go into this season with Matt Barkley or Kyle Allen as the backup to Josh Allen, I remembered one thing: This management team entered a season with Nate Peterman and a rookie Josh Allen as their quarterbacks. Ouch.

Things we know about the Buffalo Bills this week:

Despite adopting the college-style fair catch rule for this upcoming season, no kickoff returner called for a fair catch in the first week of preseason.

Damar Hamlin made his courageous return against Indianapolis, recording three tackles.

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