Nine Buffalo Bills Ready to Break Out in 2009

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

In regards to the word ‘Potential’, Bill Parcells probably said it best a few years back: “Potential means you haven’t done anything in this league yet”.

So true it hurts. And for Bills fans it seems we always hear that word being tossed around as a means to appease us when we fail to make the playoffs year after year.

But perhaps after years of suffering, 2009 just might be the year when ‘Potential’ actually creates tangible results on the football field for this franchise. Here are my nine Bills poised to break out in 2009:

1) Trent Edwards

If the Bills are primed to end their decade long playoff drought, it will be on the shoulders of Edwards. This third round steal has proven to be the best QB of the 2007 draft class thus far showing flashes of greatness since entering the starting lineup just three games into his rookie season.

Most expert analysts and scouting gurus felt he had all the tools to become a franchise QB after a few years of seasoning. Well not only has Trent been seasoned, he’s been marinated and grilled.

The only remaining concern is long term durability, but if he can stay healthy for 16+ games in 2009 I expect big things from this offense behind number five.

2) Steve Johnson

Many felt that Johnson was a steal in the seventh round last year, and as a rookie he came on strong in the second half of the season. He has the size, speed, hands and all the other intangible talent that starting NFL wide receivers are born with.

And on a very deep WR depth chart in Buffalo, he will be heard from in 2009 even if his role is limited. And even if TO is nothing more than a one year transition player for this team, the future looks very bright with a talent like Johnson tucked away on the depth chart.

3) Marshawn Lynch

The biggest question at this point with Lynch isn’t his play on the field, but his play off the field. There are no questions about his talent, and even if his three game suspension is upheld, “Beastmode” is still primed to explode for 1200+ yards in 2009.

What is truly scary is that he’s not even close to realizing his true potential as a receiver out of the backfield yet either. His blocking seems to have improved each year as well. Look for an angry Lynch to run over defenders when he enters the starting lineup sometime late September.

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