Buffalo's needs for nest year

[Frez]

Team Needs: BUFFALO BILLS

By: Mark Mashiotta

 

Like most thrill rides, the 2004 Bills season started slow and bumpy, thrilled fans in the middle, and came to an abrupt halt at its conclusion. The campaign started with painful losses to Jacksonville, Oakland, the Patriots and the Jets, crippling high preseason expectations. Then, sparked by Willis McGahee and the number two rated defense in the NFL, the Bills reeled off 9 wins in their next 11 games only to lose the season finale to the Steelers 29-24 and miss the Playoffs by one game. Bills fans can be encouraged that the team showed plenty of improvement under the guidance of rookie Head Coach Mike Mularkey and looks poised for a solid run in 2005.

 

First year Head Coach Mike Mularkey is joined by Offensive Coordinator Tom Clements and Defensive Coordinator Jerry Gray. The rest of the staff boasts experienced minds like Bobby April who turned around the Special Teams, Jim McNally who is one of the best offensive line coaches in the League and QB Coach Sam Wyche, who coached the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 1988. It’s a dynamic group of wisdom and youthful exuberance.

 

Despite the presence of a 12-year veteran the quarterback position will be up for grabs. Drew Bledsoe finished the year with his worst QB Rating (76.7) in seven seasons. Backup J.P. Losman can certainly hand the ball to McGahee as well as Bledsoe did but he also provides more athleticism as the signal caller. The Bills like Losman’s ability to create out of the pocket and this added dimension that might land Bledsoe in a backup role or perhaps somewhere like Dallas playing for his former coach Bill Parcells.

 

Buffalo’s midseason improvement was mostly due to the emergence of the running game led by Willis McGahee. The former Hurricane star scored 13 TDs and rushed for more than 1,100 after taking Travis Henry’s starting spot in week 6. Henry barely touched the ball the rest of the way and an ankle injury knocked him out for good in week 12. Damien Shelton is a powerful blocker with decent hands for a Fullback. Rookie free agent Shaud Williams provided a nice change of pace to the powerful McGahee and Joe Burns can play both Fullback and Running Back.

 

The offensive line finally came together under Coach Jim McNally. Free agent Left Tackle Jonas Jennings will probably take more money elsewhere but the Bills can fill that void by moving Trey Teague from Center to Left Tackle. Ross Tucker played well at Center when Teague missed time and will likely be the snapper next season. Mike Williams started to play like the 4th overall selection and big things are expected from him in 2005.

 

Wide receiver remains a concern despite the fact that rookie Lee Evans had a breakout year. Moulds remains a premier wideout and this tandem combined to catch 136 passes for 1,886 yards and 14 scores. But Josh Reed was sub par in the slot position, averaging only one catch per game and zero touchdowns. Tight end is a concern after Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus both went down with knee injuries. They should recover fully by training camp but some Tight End insurance is clearly needed.

 

The defense might lose free agent Tackle Pat Williams but it is still filled with Pro Bowlers Takeo Spikes and Sam Adams, as well as emerging stars like Nate Clements and Terrence McGee. Veteran leadership is provided by Lawyer Milloy, London Fletcher, and Troy Vincent (now a safety due to McGee’s stellar play at corner). Free agents Rashad Baker and Jabari Greer have added nice depth to the defensive backfield and Chris Kelsay solidified the Left Defensive End position opposite Aaron Schobel. The Bills should make a concerted effort to sign Williams and keep the NFL’s #2 ranked defense together. Buffalo has a championship caliber defense and they will give the Bills a chance to win on a weekly basis.

 

Terrence McGee is headed to Hawaii as a Kick Return specialist. The 2nd year pro averaged 26.3 yards per return and reached the end zone three times, a Bills record. Brian Moorman is one of the better punters in the League and seems to have mastered the tricky weather conditions in Western New York. Those are the two reasons why the Bills Special Teams ranked first in the League in 2004. Place kicker Rian Lindell, on the other hand, is a huge liability. The Bills rarely try a kick from 40+ yards. Despite making 24 of 28 kicks this season he seems to miss at the most inopportune times.

 

Travis Henry is not happy with his diminished role on the team and with the permission of Donahoe, he and his agent are actively seeking a trade. Unfortunately for the Bills and Henry the draft is loaded with the likes of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown from Auburn, Cedric Benson from Texas, and Vernand Morency of Oklahoma State. The free agent market also boasts stars like Shaun Alexander and Rudi Johnson. Teams interested in Henry include Miami, Oakland, Arizona and Tampa Bay. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bucs deal for Henry as Tampa Bay holds 11 overall picks and four in the top 100 this April. The Bills selected Travis 48th overall out of Tennessee and will take something similar in return.

 

Potentially without Henry and Bledsoe, the Bills still believe they are a playoff team in the waiting. They will look to a solid run game, a dominating defense and a strong special teams unit to get to the Postseason. Many believe Losman will be an upgrade to the aging Bledsoe and trading Henry will allow the Bills to address a key need in the draft. The AFC East boasts the Patriots and it’s hard to see New England anywhere else but first place but Buffalo has a good chance of finishing ahead of the Jets and gaining a postseason berth for the first time since 1999.

 

Positions of Need:

 

KICKER: Despite Bledsoe’s poor game against the Steelers you can argue that the momentum shifted when Lindell’s kick sailed wide from 28 yards out. The Steelers scored a few plays later to take the lead for good. Had Lindell made the chip shot momentum stays with the Bills and I might be writing about the Bills in the Postseason.

 

WIDE RECEIVER: Moulds and Lee Evans provide the one-two punch that reminds Bills fans of Moulds and Peerless before Price’s career went south, literally, in a trade with Atlanta. But without a threat in the slot, defenses can focus on taking away either Moulds or Evans and this offense isn’t as dangerous.

 

TIGHT END: A blocker is more important than a catcher assuming the Bills address the slot receiver. Buffalo might address this position through free agency and trust that Campbell and Euhus recover fully.

 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jonas Jennings should be playing for the Falcons in 2005. That means the Bills need to provide obtain more depth on their O-line. The Bills are blessed with players that can play multiple positions so getting the best athlete available would be a good idea.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Hopefully Pat Williams will resign with Buffalo but he’s going to command top dollar on the free agent market. Ron Edwards and Justin Bannan have played well in rotation and the Bills are high on 2004 third round pick, Tim Anderson from Ohio State.

 

Potential Draft Day Selections – Below are some players to look for. They are listed alphabetically:

 

David Baas OL Michigan

This high quality lineman played in a pro-style offense at Michigan. He can play guard or center.

 

Marion Barber III RB Minnesota

Shaud Williams played well for the Bills in spot duty and provides a nice change of pace from McGahee but he’s too small to be an everyday backup.

 

Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma

Not a great statistical senior season could possibly drop him into the 2nd round. He’s a threat every time he touches the ball and the thought of Clayton, Moulds and Evans is downright scary.

 

Fred Gibson WR Georgia

Gibson has the frame to be a slot receiver at 6’4. He’s pretty tough and can make the difficult catch.

 

Michael Munoz OT Tennessee

If he’s half as good as his father he will project well as a Pro.

 

Mike Nugent K Ohio State

The Bills must monitor the situation with Nugent on draft day and perhaps take him in the 2nd round if his name starts whispering among other teams. A two-time All American, Nugent is the best kicking prospect since Janikowski was taken in the first round in 2000 by the Raiders.

 

Mike Patterson DT USC

Has the proverbial “Motor That Never Quits” that Buffalo fans embrace. Not the typical 340-pound NFL Tackle but he can be a productive force in the middle.