- Joined
- Oct 10, 2006
- Messages
- 76,883
- Reaction score
- 66,866
Two down, and far too many more to go. Today, it's the Buffalo Bills.
Record last season: 7-9
Major departures: Jason Peters
Major Additions: T.O.
Free Agent signings: Seth McKinney, Dominick Rhodes, Geoff Hangrtner
Recent History:
Once a proud team under coach Marv Levy, the Bills had fallen by the wayside and were floundering badly. To reverse this, the 134 year old Ralph Wilson hired the 123 year old Marv Levy to be GM and help turn things around. It seems to have worked, as the Bills have seemingly begun the climb back to respectability, although Marv has once again moved on. Three straight 7-9 seasons is not the right track to be on, though, injuries or not. Last year, quarterback Trent Edwards impressed some people with his abilities, while others remain skeptical. A lot of this has to do with the Bills getting off to a 5-1 start before falling by the wayside. Some of it has to do with the fact that Buffalo didn't beat any team with a winning record last season. With an offensive line that continued to struggle and a defense that couldn't get to the quarterback, Buffalo's season was once again doomed to mediocrity.
Off season news:
Rumor has it that Buffalo signed some guy to play wide receiver for them. It's not really known who that player is, but it's clear that he's the shy, retiring type. Offsetting his arrival was the departure of Jason Peters, considered by many to be among the best left tackles in the game. This may be true, but you can't prove it by pointing to last season, and the Bills were able to get excellent compensation for their unhappy former player. The drafting of a (hopefully) quality pass rusher also has Bills fans thinking happy thoughts as training camp nears.
Outlook:
Every year looks like it's going to be the year Buffalo finally starts putting it together, and every year turns out to be another disappointment. 2009 is setting up in just that fashion. The team now has a 'star' in T.O., but that 'star' is fading due to age, and a slow start could lead to major problems in the locker room. The pass rushing savior could be just the energy boost the defense needs, or he could be this seasons Gholston. Schoebel missed 10 games last season, but he may be done anyway. 6.5 sacks in 2007 and just 1 last season is not a promising line if you're hoping for a Schoebel revival. Marshawn Lynch will be watching the first few games from the pine as a result of off-the-field problems.
Prediction:
If Edwards is for real, T.O. is back to being T.O., Schoebel is reborn and everything breaks right for Buffalo, the Bills could contend for a wild card berth this season. I have no expectation of that happening, however. Between T.O.'s aging, Schoebel's play tailing off, Lynch missing games against the Patriots, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Miami to start the season off and the need to rely on rookies and **** Jauron's coaching, I just don't see this team competing this season. Throw in a seemingly difficult schedule, and even another 7-9 season seems too much to ask for. On the positive side, if Miami and the Jets both struggle as I think they could, 7-9 just might be good enough for #2 in the division if the Bills can get there.
P.S.: If anyone would like to breakdown other NFL teams, please feel free to do so. A major change in circumstances has insured that there's just no way for me to break down every team before the season starts. And remember, things can change between now and the end of training camp!
Record last season: 7-9
Major departures: Jason Peters
Major Additions: T.O.
Free Agent signings: Seth McKinney, Dominick Rhodes, Geoff Hangrtner
Recent History:
Once a proud team under coach Marv Levy, the Bills had fallen by the wayside and were floundering badly. To reverse this, the 134 year old Ralph Wilson hired the 123 year old Marv Levy to be GM and help turn things around. It seems to have worked, as the Bills have seemingly begun the climb back to respectability, although Marv has once again moved on. Three straight 7-9 seasons is not the right track to be on, though, injuries or not. Last year, quarterback Trent Edwards impressed some people with his abilities, while others remain skeptical. A lot of this has to do with the Bills getting off to a 5-1 start before falling by the wayside. Some of it has to do with the fact that Buffalo didn't beat any team with a winning record last season. With an offensive line that continued to struggle and a defense that couldn't get to the quarterback, Buffalo's season was once again doomed to mediocrity.
Off season news:
Rumor has it that Buffalo signed some guy to play wide receiver for them. It's not really known who that player is, but it's clear that he's the shy, retiring type. Offsetting his arrival was the departure of Jason Peters, considered by many to be among the best left tackles in the game. This may be true, but you can't prove it by pointing to last season, and the Bills were able to get excellent compensation for their unhappy former player. The drafting of a (hopefully) quality pass rusher also has Bills fans thinking happy thoughts as training camp nears.
Outlook:
Every year looks like it's going to be the year Buffalo finally starts putting it together, and every year turns out to be another disappointment. 2009 is setting up in just that fashion. The team now has a 'star' in T.O., but that 'star' is fading due to age, and a slow start could lead to major problems in the locker room. The pass rushing savior could be just the energy boost the defense needs, or he could be this seasons Gholston. Schoebel missed 10 games last season, but he may be done anyway. 6.5 sacks in 2007 and just 1 last season is not a promising line if you're hoping for a Schoebel revival. Marshawn Lynch will be watching the first few games from the pine as a result of off-the-field problems.
Prediction:
If Edwards is for real, T.O. is back to being T.O., Schoebel is reborn and everything breaks right for Buffalo, the Bills could contend for a wild card berth this season. I have no expectation of that happening, however. Between T.O.'s aging, Schoebel's play tailing off, Lynch missing games against the Patriots, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Miami to start the season off and the need to rely on rookies and **** Jauron's coaching, I just don't see this team competing this season. Throw in a seemingly difficult schedule, and even another 7-9 season seems too much to ask for. On the positive side, if Miami and the Jets both struggle as I think they could, 7-9 just might be good enough for #2 in the division if the Bills can get there.
P.S.: If anyone would like to breakdown other NFL teams, please feel free to do so. A major change in circumstances has insured that there's just no way for me to break down every team before the season starts. And remember, things can change between now and the end of training camp!
Last edited: