Football Diner Review / Preview
Buffalo Bills
by Paul Hopkins
24/4/2009
 
Overview
 
The Bills started quick out of the blocks, being the second to last team to lose their unbeaten record. Yet from there they limped along and missed the playoffs yet again. Offensively they struggled, coming in the lower half of the league in the passing game, heaping a dependence on stud RB Marshawn Lynch. Defensively, they were weak against the run but maintained some strength against the pass.
 
The Bills have made a splash in free agency already this year, acquiring arguably the highest profile free agent in Terrell Owens in a (some say desperate) attempt to boost a flagging passing game that is need of a shot in the arm. Whether Owens provides what is needed to get the Bills back to the post-season remains to be seen . But one thing is for sure, they're going to be a team to watch this season.
 
Quarterback
 
Trent Edwards is the face of the Bills franchise. He looked the part for most of the year, only really struggling after getting knocked out of the game in Arizona. He never really looked quite the same after that but the Bills know in Edwards they have their QB for the next decade. Back-up JP Losman again never looked the part when given the chance and this is Edwards team.
Grade: B
 
Running Backs
 
The running game is the part of the Bills offence that works. Marshawn Lynch has quietly become one of the premier backs in the league and whilst his off-season, off the field activities are a concern during the season he plays tough and delivers. When he doesn't they have an excellent back-up in Fred Jackson who can be an impact player out of the backfield. Looking ahead the team will miss Lynch hugely when he serves his three game suspension for his off-field misdemeanours. Recently acquired Dominic Rhodes will share the load with Fred Jackson and how they fair might determine what happens with the Bills come the end of the season. If they lose without Lynch they likely won't be going to the post-season.
Grade: A-
 
Receivers and Tight Ends
 
Lee Evans remains the #1 receiver for the Bills but only had a return of 3 touchdowns this year. He remains a deep threat but the Bills have really lacked the possession receiver who moves the chains, hence their 25th ranked passing game. Rookie James Hardy showed flashes and got two TD's (putting him near the top in the team) but generally underwhelmed in his first year. Hence the acquisition they made.
 
And now, they've got the one they call T.O. Diminishing skills or not he will make an impact for the team. They are just hoping it is enough to take them over the edge. $6.5m for one year suggests its win now for the Bills.
Grade: C-
 
Offensive Line
 
Jason Peters was arguably the biggest name on the line but his disquiet and hold outs over his contract not only affected his performance but that of the offence. He hasn't quite hit the peaks of two years ago and whilst he was serviceable in 2008, he has played better.
 
Alongside him Derrick Dockery was a strong performer but has since departed for the dollar-laden land that is Washington. Langston Walker was soli if not spectacular, and other players on the line were moderate at best. Now that Dockery has gone as well as perennial under-achiever Duke Preston (who has ended up in Green Bay) and in the biggest news, the saga over a long-term deal for Jason Peters has come to an end with a move to the Eagles, the Bills will have to either do some reshuffling on the line or seek to draft a replacement. And the 2009 draft is the place to get a new franchise left tackle. The line in Buffalo is going to be undergoing some major changes before September.
Grade: C
 
Defensive Line
 
Up the gut, Kyle Williams became one of the league's best secrets at tackle. His partnership with Marcus Stroud was a solid foundation for the Bills. On the edge, the Bills failed to record a satisfactory number of sacks. Aaron Schobel was injured but still has struggled to re-find his form of a few seasons ago. Kelsey and Denney never really stamped their authority on games, and the Bills will surely be looking to bolster their pass rush early in the 2009 Draft.
Grade: B
 
Linebackers
 
Paul Pozluszny heads up a strong linebacking crew in upstate New York. Alongside him Kawika Mitchell came across from the Giants and was a strong contributor, nabbing himself 4 sacks on the season. If anything Keith Ellison was the weak link in 2008 but he still amassed a respectable 73 tackles on the year.
Grade: B
 
Secondary
 
Terrence McGee was the standout performer in the Bills secondary, where the Bills have invested considerably in recent years. Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson have been around enough time now to really kick on, and Whitner's recent off-field troubles are just something Dick Jauron would rather do without. First round draft pick Leodis McKelvin looks to have bags of promise as does the entire Bills secondary, and they managed to be the 14th best passing team in the league.
 
But the Bills only picked off three passes all year, which is simply not good enough for any team. More pressure up front on the quarterback should help the Bills secondary improve those figures in 2009.
Grade: B
 
Special Teams
 
As previously mentioned rookie Leodis McKelvin was electric on the return game, and Roscoe Parrish was a solid performer also. In the kicking game Rian Lindell and Brian Moorman remain amongst the best tandem in the league.
Grade: B+
 
Coaching
 
Dick Jauron, like the entire franchise had an up and down year. They started quick out of the block and Jauron was to be rewarded with a new contract. However, as the season continued and the Bills began to splutter there were real question marks over his future, especially so because he was in the final year of his deal. It was in December that he finally inked the extension, but you have to question the logic of such a move with the way the Bills ended the season. If Jauron struggles again in 2009 the extension may look unwise.
Grade: B-