Dibs Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Here is ESPNs Scouts, Inc. Take 2 on Bills vs. Patriots. LINK It seems to me that perhaps the general optimism around here might just be based on what is actually occurring & not what we would like to be occurring this time. I don't understand why our ST are not talked up to the level they should be but overall this is quite optimistic for us. For those that do not have 'insider'....article below. Buffalo at New England Matchups QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach Overall NE BB BB NE NE EVEN BB BB NE NE Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Bills and Patriots. Now they're back with a second look. The opening week of the season is always interesting in many ways. How will new coaching staffs game plan, call plays, use personnel, adjust during and at half time of a game and more. Dick Juron is know as a conservative offensive coach. But he may have to let J.P. Losman take some chances and improvise if the running game doesn't get going early vs. the Patriots very tough interior line. • A big question for the Bills will be how well Losman plays on the road vs. an excellent team. He has the tools to make things happen, but he's been very inconsistent in his career. That said, he was good in the preseason, completing over 65 percent of his passes and making good decisions. If Losman can stay out of trouble and the Bills can run the ball with some consistency, they have a chance on the road. But if the inconsistent quarterback of 2005 shows up, it will be a long day for the Bills. • It looks like the Bills new-look offensive line is starting to gel. If the OL can play well in the opener, this has a chance to be a closer game than people would expect. Time is what Losman needs and giving him the time to make some early completions would help his confidence. The Bills offensive line should give the Patriots defensive front a battle, but if they come out and don't mark their territory early, the advantage will swing to the defending AFC East champs. • The Bills' running game is solid with the tandem of Willis McGahee and Shaud Williams. If McGahee can get effective blocking, he has a chance to make a dent in the defense. Williams' running style is somewhat different than McGahee's and he will be a good change of pace. The running is key in almost every football game and this test in the trenches is something to watch early. • There was a question mark about who the starting receiver was going to be opposite of Lee Evans late into the preseason. That's not a good sign for the Buffalo passing attack. Evans will fill the void (81 receptions in 2005) that Eric Moulds left when he departed after the season, but you need more than one playmaker at receiver. Both Josh Reed and Peerless Price will play a bunch in the opener, but which will have the most impact on the game? If the Pats force Losman to beat them with his arm, then Price has a better chance of making a big play. • The Patriots come into the opener with fewer questions than the Bills, but they still have a few concerns. The Pats offensive line is solid and their quarterback play is second-to-none, but the receiving corps is cause for concern. Not having your two top receivers from 2005 (Deion Branch and David Givens) is something to watch in the opener. Bill Belichick and the Patriots' offense countered this preseason by using their tight ends more, but this plan of attack may not hold up in the regular season. • The trio of backs (Corey Dillon, Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk) that New England can put on the field is solid. There is a question on Maroney's health (knee), but he wasn't even listed on the Patriots' injury report. If he is healthy he can put a dent in the Bills' defense. It will be interesting to see how Dillon performs as he has dedicated himself to playing at a much higher level in 2006. Faulk has plenty of juice and wiggle to be a good change-of-pace back. • It's always a good idea to look to the trenches when trying to predict the result of a game. The interior line of the Patriots defense is one of the best in the league (Vince Wilfork in the middle flanked by Richard Seymour and Ty Warren). But part of the equation for an effective defensive line is its linebacking crops. This is an area to watch for the Patriots with the departure of veteran Willie McGinest and the wrist injurt to Tedy Bruschi. They have shuffled some players around and acquired Junior Seau, but the chemistry may not be there yet. • The Patriots took a tumble in 2005 as a defensive unit. They ended the season ranked 26th overall. The defense is supposed to be a strength for Belichick's teams. New England has looked better on defense this preseason. Which defensive unit will show up in the opener? I'm sure the Buffalo staff has studied a bunch of 2005 tape to see if they can exploit a particular player or position. If the Bills can find a chink in the armor of the Patriots defense they will make this game interesting. Special Teams The kicking game can always be key to the outcome of a game. The Patriots have been solid with their returns in both kickoffs and punts during the preseason. Willie Andrews handles most of the return duties and is adequate but not special. Patriots punter Josh Miller needs to have a bit more hang time to up his net average from 34 yards. The Patriots new kicker Stephen Gostkowski has not missed in the preseason, but now it's for real. Buffalo's kick returners have also been just adequate. But Roscoe Parrish (punt reterner) and Terrence McGee (kick returner) both have some juice. Brian Moorman is a solid punter and kicker Rian Lindell has shown good range and accuracy this pre season. Matchups • Pats TE Benjamin Watson vs. Buffalos LB Angelo Crowell in the passing game • Somewhat undersized Buffalo OC Melvin Fowler vs. Pats powerful NT Vince Wilfork • Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements vs. WR Reche Caldwell • New England DE Richard Seymour vs. Buffalo OT Mike Gandy • Bills punter Brian Moorman vs. Pats punter Josh Miller for field position Scouts' Edge You would think that the New England Patriots would be a heavy favorite in their opener with the Buffalo Bills, but there are plenty of questions to be answered with both teams. The Patriots are thin at receiver with Branch's continued holdout. Their offensive line is solid and Brady is one of the best in the business, but Belichick and company can't take this Bills team lightly. This Buffalo team showed steady improvement throughout the preseason and Juron is a good coach. Look for the Patriots tight ends, especially Benjamin Watson, to be a factor in this game. The Bills will try and establish their running game with McGhee to give Losman some confidence. This game could close going into the fourth quarter, but New England should win at home against a valiant Bills team. Prediction: Patriots 24, Bills 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDH Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Buffalo's kick returners have also been just adequate. 765719[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsGuyInMalta Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I dont have ESPN Insider, but if you just copied and pasted the article...the misspelled "McGahee" and "Jauron". Oodles of respect from E$PN when they cant even get our players and coaches' names correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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