Move over, Jameis Winston. Your epic backwards-toss to nobody in last year’s Rose Bowl now has some company.
With the Bills’ starting quarterback position being set after the team’s announcement earlier this week that they’re going with Tyrod Taylor, the only thing left for them to do now is to fill out the depth chart. EJ Manuel seemingly has the inside track as Taylor’s backup with a strong preseason showing, which would leave Matt Cassel and Matt Simms as the probable odd men out, unless the team decides to start the season with three quarterbacks.
But on Thursday night, the Bills gave Simms one last chance to show what he can do, and he did not disappoint. Well, he did not disappoint the people who only watch fourth preseason games for the possible gaffes, anyway.
Late in the third quarter, with the game tied at 10, Simms did his best to avoid getting sacked. But, in doing so, he also got himself a bit twisted and turned around, and ended up heaving the ball nearly 20 yards in the wrong direction. The Lions recovered it, which set up their go-ahead touchdown drive.
Here’s a look at the play in more dramatic fashion, which does a good job of highlighting its beauty from a more close-up angle.
At the very least, the play shows Simms’ strong throwing-arm. He finished the game 22 of 38 passing for 223 yards with no touchdown passes or interceptions. It’s not clear where that performance will leave him on the Bills’ depth chart heading into Week 1, but if his career in Buffalo is over, at least now he has some tape to provide for other teams.
