My Take On 2008 Season

[steve74b]

Playoff Bound?

An overview of the coming Buffalo Bills season.

 

Offense - The Buffalo Bills seem to have found a signal caller in second year QB Trent Edwards. JP Losman has shown that he can play in this system and is a quality backup who will be ready if he needs to step in. With Turk Shonert taking over the offense the Bills will be looking to get the ball to their playmakers through creative play calling and short passes. This style of play seems to be a good fit for the Edwards. He will be given the opportunity to make quick reads and get the ball to his backs and receivers early and often. Edwards should thrive in this system and so to should the Bills offensive production. Shonert has a variety of weapons at his disposal in the passing game. Look for the receivers to make an impact running after the catch especially with Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed working out of the slot. The RBS look to be more involved in the passing game as well this year and both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are more than capable receivers out of the backfield or out in space. This explosive 1-2 punch should be extremely productive both running and catching the football. The big question is the offensive line. They certainly made strides last year and surprisingly have looked very good in camp despite the ongoing hold out of All Pro left tackle Jason Peters. Depth is a serious concern here and Langston Walker is going to be entering the season having already been nicked a bit. With the style of offense employed by Offensive Coordinator Turk Shonert and the intelligent play of QB Trent Edwards the line should be solid if they remain healthy. It will be an exciting year on the offensive side of the ball and I expect a top 15 finish by this unit.

 

Defense - This years Bills defense has all of the tools to dominate. The defensive line has received a huge boost...pun intended...with the addition of DT Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville. Stroud has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and that is going to be scary for opposing offenses. At the other tackle position I would expect to see a rotation of Kyle Williams, John McCargo and Spencer Johnson. With these four DTs the interior of the line will always be fresh and well suited to stop the run or put pressure on the passer. If the preseason is any indication Chris Kelsay may finally prove to be worthy of the spot opposite Aarron Schobel. The linebacking corps is healthy and slightly revamped. Poslusny is back and eager to get back to what he had started last year before being injured. Angelo Crowell is the star of the defense and makes plays all over the field and the new addition of Kawicka Mitchell, formally of the New York Giants, adds some coverage and pass rushing skills to the group. The secondary should really shine. Donte Whitner leads this group and brings an attitude found in all of the all time great strong safeties. Ko Simpson is back to play FS and will be pushed by converted WR George Wilson. The CB position is filled with depth and some tough decisions to make when the roster is to be cut down to size. McGee mans one side and is an explosive star cornerback. The other corner position is the most competitive on the team. Jabari Greer returns and looks improved and desperate to hang onto a starting job after filling in adequately last season. Looking to wrestle that job away is free agent pick up Will James, Ashton Youboty and rookies Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner. Youboty and Corner had excellent preseason’s while James brings experience. You have to figure McKelvin will be in the mix before long as he was this years first round pick.

 

Special Teams - Bobby Aprils unit just keeps getting better. Despite recent losses of top performers on this unit I expect them to be as good as or better than in previous years. The Bills put a huge emphasis on special teams’ ability when making roster cuts and it pays off. This years teams boasts a ton of talented returners. Roscoe Parrish should continue to get the majority of the punt returns while Terence McGee will continue to return kickoffs. In the event of injury 1st round draft pick Leodis McKelvin is ready to step in to either role. McKelvin holds a share of the NCAA record for most kicks returned for TD with 8. Brian Moorman returns to handle the punting duties and is one of the NFLs best. Rian Lindell is a solid kicker with good range. The coverage units lack experience however they have the talent and system to succeed.

 

Outlook – I look for the Bills to make a serious push for the playoffs this season. They set a team record by placing 17 players on season ending IR last year and this year they all return. Last season provided plenty of learning experience for this years backups so the team has ample depth at most positions. As with any team a lot of the success of the Bills will depend heavily upon the success of second year QB Trent Edwards. The Bills will compete for a playoff spot and finish the season 10-6. That should be good enough for the teams’ first playoff appearance since 1999.

 

Stephen Brown - www.mybuffalosports.com