Alden Bulldog Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmPr...o&type=lgns 4. The Buffalo Bills Offense: Quarterback Trent Edwards is entering that pivotal third year of growth, and the franchise took a tremendous chemistry gamble by bringing in wideout Terrell Owens to help maximize those strides. Make no mistake: Even with the relatively safe one-year financial commitment, Owens is now more dangerous than ever. As his skills continue to diminish, he will continue to seek that No. 1 role in an offense. And if he struggles to maintain the stature that role requires, he’ll look for someone to blame. The fact is, he has dropped more passes since the start of the 2007 season than any other player in the NFL. That’s nobody’s fault but his. That said, putting him alongside Lee Evans undoubtedly opens up the offense more for offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, and should create more breathing room for running back Marshawn Lynch. The offense is more diverse but still in an embryonic stage that is now mortgaged on Owens. It’s an unstable position to be in, especially with a quarterback who has 24 games under his belt. Defense: An upgrade is needed at defensive end, and the coaching staff has got to find a way to get Aaron Schobel back on track. This is simply a different defense when Schobel is playing well. There are still some bargains on the free-agent market who would provide a solid veteran presence at end, but barring a trade for Julius Peppers (not going to happen) an earth-shattering move isn’t likely. Despite playing 16 games last season, Marcus Stroud still wasn’t 100 percent back mentally from his injuries the previous season in Jacksonville. With a little help, this is the season Stroud could approach dominance again. But there are developmental needs from some of the younger players, namely cornerback Leodis McKelvin and defensive end Chris Ellis. It’s time for McKelvin to move into a starting role, and for Ellis to provide something – anything – for depth purposes. Work to be done: Getting Edwards, Evans and Owens extensive offseason work is a must. This could very well be a one-shot deal for Owens, so that trio has to hit the ground running to maximize the team’s return and minimize the risk of Owens going AWOL if they aren’t on the same page early on. The team also has to wait and see where the league is going on the latest off-field gun issues with running back Marshawn Lynch. He’s likely to face some manner of a suspension next season. That means expanding the role of Fred Jackson, a talented backup who has already shown he is worthy of more touches in Schonert’s scheme. Finding an impact pass rusher at the No. 11 overall pick should be a top priority, too. Bottom line: There are a lot of moving parts which need to fit together for Buffalo to piece together a dream season. Getting the pass rush figured out is absolutely vital. But really, this season is going to begin and end with the development of Edwards and the successful integration of Owens into Schonert’s scheme, not to mention the locker room. That’s a dicey bet at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Nails Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Seeing KC in the mix of 5 doesn't give me a lot of hope for the dream season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Nails Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 PS. Bills + Raiders? Seriously? WTF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasBB Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 No Super Bowl until we vastly improve at DE. It's a key component of a championship team and one we don't have (yet). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bflojohn Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Can anyone say PREMATURE!! Let's see what transpires in the rest of March and into April and THEN decide. There is still plenty a franchise can do between now and then..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alden Bulldog Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 PS. Bills + Raiders? Seriously? WTF? The Rochester Raiders. of the IFL Not Oakland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alden Bulldog Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 PS. Bills + Raiders? Seriously? WTF? Damn straight. It's just the media jumping on the TO bandwaggon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 No Super Bowl until we vastly improve at DE. It's a key component of a championship team and one we don't have (yet). so true.. We are actually a JOKE at this point. A laughable defense with laughable DEs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Yahoo...the true sports authority lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 At this point, I'll be thrilled with 8-8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooderson Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 "But there are developmental needs from some of the younger players, namely cornerback Leodis McKelvin and defensive end Chris Ellis." Haha, Chris Ellis. What a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKOOBY Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 At this point, I'll be thrilled with 8-8. Too early to call it before we see who we get in the draft. T.O. Became available and the FO pounced quick, much to all suprise so there might be a new talent on the horizon. We are probably a few players away from .500, a blank that has to be filled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOBILLS78 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Too early to call it before we see who we get in the draft. T.O. Became available and the FO pounced quick, much to all suprise so there might be a new talent on the horizon. We are probably a few players away from .500, a blank that has to be filled. Right, that's why I typed "at this point." Those numbers can change if we draft Erik Flowers Jr. or Bruce Smith Jr. Can't win games if you don't pressure the quarterback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 No mention of Jauron as the head coach. The writer obviously does not know who he is or what impact he has on his team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKOOBY Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Right, that's why I typed "at this point." Those numbers can change if we draft Erik Flowers Jr. or Bruce Smith Jr. Can't win games if you don't pressure the quarterback. Y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I still have my t-shirt from '94 that reads... "In Buffalo, Superbowls are our hobby...see you next year in Joe Robbie" I'm working on fitting into it again... 19 and 0 baby!!! GO BILLSSS!!!! PosLUSZny!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 "But there are developmental needs from some of the younger players, namely cornerback Leodis McKelvin and defensive end Chris Ellis." Haha, Chris Ellis. What a joke. Especially talking about Ellis and McKelvin in the same sentence.....McKelvin was a monster on the return team and started playing very well on the CB position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rackemrack Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I still have my t-shirt from '94 that reads... "In Buffalo, Superbowls are our hobby...see you next year in Joe Robbie" I'm working on fitting into it again... 19 and 0 baby!!! GO BILLSSS!!!! PosLUSZny!!!!! if only winning super bowls was our hobby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flbillsfan#1 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I still have my t-shirt from '94 that reads... "In Buffalo, Superbowls are our hobby...see you next year in Joe Robbie" I'm working on fitting into it again... 19 and 0 baby!!! GO BILLSSS!!!! PosLUSZny!!!!! You must not have worn it much. Mine is LONG GONE, worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Quint Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 You must not have worn it much. Mine is LONG GONE, worn out. Did yours say: IN BUFfalo, SUperbowlS aRe OuR HobBy...SEE you NExt YEAR in jOE roBBie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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