The first time a player steps on an NFL field is always special.
Saturday's 33-6 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears marked the first time that several new members of the Buffalo Bills were able to see their first action of NFL football.
"There is a lot we can learn from, and I'm confident we'll do that," head coach Sean McDermott said. "I'm also happy to see a lot of guys, the goal was to at least get everyone in in some capacity, so I'm happy for those players who have never played before in an NFL game, that they got in and were able to get out there and get some work."
Rookies Keon Coleman, Gable Steveson, DeWayne Carter, and Joe Andreessen, along with many other first-timers, all saw playing time throughout the course of the game.
"I think we flew around," Carter said. "It's fun, especially because guys have become so close since May. We have become close. And I think one of the main things we were saying before the game was like, 'Bro, I'm proud of you. We did it now. Go out there and showcase what you can do.'"
Coleman hauled in a pass for a first down early in the first half and received a couple of targets in the end zone.
"I thought he looked comfortable," McDermott said. "It looked like it wasn't too big for him. That's part of a being a young player and adjusting. That didn't surprise me, though, because he's been taking things in stride that way. You see him. You're out at practice every day. He's executed and made some big-time plays. Today the ball didn't find him as much. It wasn't really a game plan whatsoever for us, we were just out there trying to make sure that we had a chance to see where we were fundamentally and overall, as a football team, and then had a chance to evaluate our personnel."
Although the defense struggled to contain the Bears offense in the second half, Andreessen finished fourth on the team in tackles with four total and one solo in front of his hometown.
Andreessen, a Buffalo native, expressed nervousness and excitement about being able to perform for a team that he grew up watching. He made some nice plays that led to tackles for the defense.
"There's a lot of nervousness, like nervous excitement, if that makes sense," Andreessen said. "You know, heartbeat's going up, not only because it's at home in front of, a team that I grew up watching but just, you know, first preseason game period. So, there was a lot of nerves, anxiety to perform, but I just had to thank God for putting me in this position. It was an awesome experience…"
The game was also new to Steveson, who played in his first football game ever. After the game he said that it was different than practice and Chicago presented a nice new challenge for him.
The former gold medal Olympic wrestler ended the day with one assisted tackle.
"Just learning, learning how to play in front of big crowds," Steveson said. "Learning how to see different formations that definitely. Chicago brought a new thing that I wasn't used to, so just go out there and then stick to what I know best and that's technique and gap integrity and just fundamentals at the best, so I feel like I did a good job of that. But like you said, there's always room to grow, and we're just at the bottom of the barrel right now, we gotta get to the top."
Carter, a rookie defensive tackle, echoed both the sentiments of Andreessen and Steveson, saying that it was exciting to be able to play in his first preseason game.
"Excited to be out there, emotions were high," Carter said. "Obviously, something I worked for my whole life. So, I'm just excited and blessed for the opportunity, health, safety and being able to be out there."
Although he was happy that so many players were able to get time, after the game McDermott addressed the fact that the team did not play to their standard in the 27-point loss.
"Our standard was not out there today," he said. "That's not how we play, so there is a lot we need to do to get ourselves ready to go here."
"…But we've got to learn from it. We have to be truthful about what we saw out there… Self-inflicted wounds are hard to overcome, and then you've got to play an opponent on the other side. So, give them credit. They played well."
The Bills will pick back up with practice on Monday in Orchard Park. Both players and coaches alike are ready to get back to work and learn from this loss, before they travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in their second preseason game.
"We will go back and watch the film, obviously, I haven't seen it yet," Carter said. "And for me personally, I'm just making sure I stick with my basics and fundamentals. At the end of the day, I think that's what will win games, and that's why you put such an emphasis on that here. So, for me, I just want to go back and see where I was consistent in my fundamentals, where I wasn't and obviously where there's room to improve."
