The Buffalo Bills Have Holes To Fill and Depth To Add

It has been an eventful offseason for the Buffalo Bills. An offseason that began with the Bills disappointing many fans by keeping a mediocre coaching staff was followed by the signings of backup after backup.

Then came the signing of Terrell Owens. A media circus ensued, and fans and players are abuzz. Will he succeed? Will he fail? Will he destroy the Bills' chemistry?  What about Trent Edwards?  ESPN has devoted more hours in the past week to these few questions than they have to the Bills in the last 10 years.

All this buzz has distracted many fans. The Bills still have holes to fill and no depth on the roster.  The Bills have two giant holes at left guard and outside linebacker.

While the Bills have players on their roster who have been plugged into the guard position, they do not have a solid starter, and without Angelo Crowell, they do not have a starting outside linebacker, either.

Angelo Crowell is currently in talks with the Bills and Bucs, but many people—and apparently NFL teams—are wondering about his health. Can he perform to his prior level?

Crowell may have to sign a short-term deal just to prove his worth. Does this sound like another player the Bills just signed?

The Bills also lack depth, a problem that has plagued the Bills for many years.  Playing in such a harsh climate in an already grueling physical game, the Bills deal with many injuries to key players. With no depth, the Bills struggle to fill the vacancies left by injuries. 

Key injuries to starters Trent Edwards, Donte Whitner, and Terrence McGee left the Bills reeling in 2008. 

J.P. Losman blew a game and did not perform well in Trent's absence (coaching also played a role), Donte Whitner was out several games with no real replacement, as players like Bryan Scott played linebacker due to injuries.

Even when Donte was healthy, he often had to play the nickelback due to cornerback injuries.

The Bills have taken some steps with their offseason signings. They have picked up Drayton Florence, who will probably play a nickel-or-dime back for the Bills.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was brought in to backup Trent (not sure why the Bills didn't pursue a veteran), and John Digiorgio was resigned to continue his role of backup MLB.

This still leaves the Bills with a lack of quality depth at the safety, linebacker, and offensive line positions, which are some of the most oft-injured positions in football.

The Bills had a middle-of-pack defense last year, but could've been much better had there been some depth. It doesn't seem to be a concern of Buffalo's, although it happens year after year.

Unfortunately, I think Bills fans this year will once again have to depend on the draft to fill holes, something that the Bills weren't successful at last year—and probably will not be successful at this year.

Here's to hoping for the best though.

"Go, Bills"

-Tim Russert

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