Thursday, September 3, 2009

Quick Preview: Buffalo Bills


Since the last time we saw them:
2008 Record: 7-9
Key Additions: WR Terrell Owens, C Geoff Hangartner, CB Drayton Florence, OL Seth McKinney, RB Dominic Rhodes
Key Losses: LT Jason Peters, OLB Angelo Crowell, OG Derrick Dockery, C Melvin Fowler, CB Jabari Greer, LB Teddy Lehman, QB J.P. Losman, C Duke Preston, TE Robert Royal, OL Jason Whittle
Top Draft Picks: DE Aaron Maybin, OL Eric Wood, OL Andy Levitre, S Jairus Byrd

What we now know:
Best Player: WR Terrell Owens
Most Underrated: CB Terrence McGee

Looking Forward:
Breakout Candidates: QB Trent Edwards, MLB Paul Posluszny, CB Leodis McKelvin, S Donte Whitner
Looking to bounce back: DE Aaron Schobel, DT Marcus Stroud
Time to step up: TE Derek Fine, TE Derek Shouman, C Geoff Hangartner, OG Eric Wood, OG Andy Levitre, CB Leodis McKelvin

Strengths:
  • A deep, talented WR corp led by Owens and Lee Evans
  • A powerful young RB in Marshawn Lynch with a capable backup in Fred Jackson
  • A talented CB tandem in McGee and McKelvin
  • Superbe special teams
  • Several young talents on the verge of breaking out
Concerns:
  • Entire Offensive Line is either unproven or unreliable
  • Pass protection could be real problem with Langston Walker protecting QB Edwards's blind side
  • RB Lynch's 3-game suspension at start of season
  • TE position
  • Pass rush if DE Schobel can't bounce back from injury and DE Maybin doesn't have great rookie season
  • SLB Keith Ellison is really more of a Nickel LB than a starter
  • LB position thin and relatively mediocre
  • Head Coach Dick Jauron's inability to take team to the next level the last two seasons
Expectations: Playoffs

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