Buffalo Rumblings
In the aftermath of the Buffalo Bills’ 34-25 preseason loss to the New York Giants, much has been made about the play of quarterback Jaxon Dart. It was Dart’s first NFL action against another NFL team. At first blush, things went decently well for Dart — who finished 12-of-19 for 154 yards with one touchdown, adding three carries for 24 yards (a long of 19 yards).
There are a lot of positives to take away from Dart’s first game action. It’s important to remember, however, that by the time Dart entered the game Buffalo had pulled almost every defensive starter. The Bills were also down their starting safety duo of Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop, both of whom were dealing with injury.
That didn’t resonate with former NFL-player-turned-analyst Emmanuel Acho, who had high praise for Dart’s work. Take a look at the clip below, where Acho baits the audience by saying “Team meeting: If someone were to tell you that rookie quarterback Jaxon Dart was the best quarterback in the class, don’t argue with them. Don’t argue with them… ‘cause they got a really good argument.”
Acho chose to focus in on Dart’s touchdown, which was a great individual play — and also one where rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker leveled the quarterback:
But football isn’t played in a vacuum. Again, allow me to point out that by the time Dart entered the game, the Bills’ starters were on the sideline. Acho took exception to those calling it out, stating to one person that Damar Hamlin was on the field, and his having started every game he played in 2024 obviously meant he was the starter here.
I’m quick to go to bat for Hamlin, because I see him as a better player than he’s often given credit for by outsiders. that’s regardless of what happened to him one fateful night in Cincinnati. Hamlin may lack elite measurables, but he’s usually assignment sound.
On this play, and in Saturday’s game, Hamlin was a backup and playing with other backups such as cornerback Dane Jackson. It’s Jackson who was beat in man coverage for six and, yes, Hamlin was deficient in support if you believe he had a realistic shot at defending the play after accounting for the middle of the field. To imply that Dart took advantage of a starter-heavy, game-prepped defense is foolish.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott revealed that there’s little game-planning involved with Buffalo’s preseason plan. Not every team operates that way, for sure. Perhaps that has Acho confused about the Bills’ effort and ability. I don’t know for certain, but I have trouble believing that Dart was sent out to play on Saturday without a heavy dose of pregame planning.
To be clear, it was a great play by Dart, but Acho’s breakdown here feels incomplete. That’s coming from someone who’s no film expert. Now’s the time of the year when anyone will do all things possible to hype up new NFL talent to breed excitement....
