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I am just a fan. I only know the Bills from a distance, but I love Bills football, and enjoy following every little detail. Even when they really aren't that great, I root for them, and follow them...

The Team The Bills Will Field: Part One

by Greg Campbell (Columnist)

19

2,420 reads

Preview/Prediction

May 07, 2008


I am just a fan. I only know the Bills from a distance, but I love Bills football, and enjoy following every little detail. Even when they really aren't that great, I root for them, and follow them. And I'm pretty certain I always will.

I am also an optimist. I tend to look for the best side of everything in life, and can usually find it. Thus, many of my predictions (and on our show, my "reviews") regarding Buffalo Bills football tend to be a bit, shall we say, "rosy".

I say all of that to preface what I am about to say regarding the 2008 version of the Buffalo Bills. (At least, what I am guessing will be the 2008 version.) Some may simply dismiss the following predictions as the ramblings of a rabid, overly optimistic, homer Bills fan. And that's fine.

But I gotta say, folks... this team really has a lot of the pieces to the puzzle!

Let's go position by position, starting with the offense. Everyone loves offense, and I think we might actually have some this year!

QB
The Bills enter the season with a solid answer for who their starting QB will be. Edwards earned himself the role last season with not only a winning record (5-4) in games he started, along with his general poise on the field, and command of the offense. (What little there was last season!) This is nothing new, however, as entering 2007, JP Losman was firmly entrenched as the starter. The difference this season is the Bills seem confident with Edwards as their signal caller (he is the QB selected by Jauron and his staff) and even better for Edwards, there is a new offensive coordinator, without an overhaul of the offensive system.

With most of a year of playing in the NFL under his belt, as well as a new coordinator - a former NFL QB who has a reputation for wide open offenses - Edwards stands to have a solid-to-great sophomore season, mainly due to some additions to the Bills arsenal. (See below...)

I must also mention the fact that J.P. Losman managed to stick around for at least the last year of his contract. The Bills have said all along that they really like Losman (as a QB) and feel they have two great young quarterbacks on their team. I believe Losman - erratic as he may be - is a great backup option, should Edwards be injured during the season. He knows the offense, is comfortable with the players, and certainly has the physical tools to be a solid NFL QB. It's the mental tools that are in question with Losman.

RB
The centerpiece of the Bills offense has to be Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch. He gained 1,000 yards in a season where he missed three games due to an ankle injury, and would have been much more productive in an offensive scheme that involved him more in the passing game. Assuming that is part of the plan in 2008, Lynch should be poised to be a terror to opposing teams in his second season in the NFL. He's fast, powerful, and never gives up on a play. If he's able to play a full season, he should easily rack up 1,200 yards rushing, or more.

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19 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Carl Wagner about 1 year ago

    Boo..

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  2. Max Iascone about 1 year ago

    Should be a fun year in the AFC least this year. As a Pats fan I gotta say that Hardy scares the living daylights outta me... he's 6'6" and my team's corners are... shall we say... vertically challenged. Should be a bit more competitive this year in the division and I see the Bills as a potential playoff team due to their scheduale, Bills-Pats games are almost always fun (56-10 was overkill) so I can't wait for '08.

    Langston Walker is somewhat suspect as a pass-blocker but one guy doesn't kill an o-line, especially when that one guy is a great run blocker. Buffalo has a really good offense if Edwards can repeat last year's success but there are still questions on the defensive side of the ball, they're getting better no doubt, but I see 'em getting no more then 9 wins (10 if they're lucky) until they address the LB corps.
    Good read overall, its fun to see the league through someone else's eyes.
    Peace,
    Max

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    • Philip Wiggle about 1 year ago

      Psssst Max ... Just what exactly do they need in the LB corp? That front 3 looks darn good to me, and the backups learned under fire last year.

      By Phil

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    • Joe Rogers about 1 year ago

      I may be an overly optimistic Bills fan but the LB's are actually a strong point. Angelo Crowell, Paul Poz, and Kiwuka Mitchell as the starters and reliable backups in DiGorgio and Ellison. Also 5th rounder Bowen. The only uncertainty on the defense in my eyes is the FS position. Buffalo has returning starter Ko Simpson returning after coming over a season ending injury in game 1. All should be fine BUT remember Buffalo hosted FA Marlon McCree to play FS. He eventually signed with Denver and would have been an immediate starter over Simpson. What does that say about the confidence in Buffalo's coaching staff?

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    • Max Iascone about 1 year ago

      thanks for the catch guys I forgot about Mitchell, that's my bad then.

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  3. Luke Miller about 1 year ago

    I love to see other teams in-depth. I had my doubts about Buffalo, as your owner seems to be making more headlines than your team lately. Now I'm looking forward to seeing them play!

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  4. Colin Gallagher about 1 year ago

    I'm not ready to call Josh Reed dependable yet...good article though.

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  5. Joe Rogers about 1 year ago

    Going to go out and say this is the best Bills article posted on this site. Can't wait for your defensive analyst.

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  6. Don Webb about 1 year ago

    Nice job. I feel the running game will be enhanced by the addition of wide out depth. The addition of a fullback will create a new wrinkle to contend with for opposing defenses. I'm excited about the possibilities of more scoring with this team...but it will all boil down to the production from our QB's.

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  7. Philip Wiggle about 1 year ago

    The most interesting guy to watch will be Edwards. This guy has POTENTIAL. Now lets see if our new OC can turn that into TDs

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  8. Matt Gard about 1 year ago

    I am a student at IU and I saw every snap of Hoosier football in 2007 and let me tell you that James Hardy will make you guys (and IU) proud. His height is obviously his main advantage, but he can also make people miss and unlike most receivers, he can AND WILL stick someone while run blocking. He's an all around good receiver and I would say his biggest problem might be ball control after the catch, although I don't remember him fumbling very many times.

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  9. Josh Vincent about 1 year ago

    You hit the nail on the head. The Bills really have all the pieces on offense, no glaring holes on offense like we've had since, I don't know, Jim Kelly retired? Obviously QB is still a question mark until Edwards gets more experience, but he has the intelligence and talent around him to win a lot of games while he is still learning. Much like Roethlisberger in '05. I really like our O-line even though a lot of people are down on Fowler. The improvement we made from '06 to '07 with this group was nothing short of amazing. The O-line, more than any other position, works as a unit and I am glad the front office kept this group together to give them another season to gel. We don't have a real quality TE yet but we have quantity with Royal, Fine, Anderson and don't forget we added Teyo Johnson to the mix also. Bills should be in the end zone A LOT this upcoming season.

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  10. Ernie Lamoree about 1 year ago

    I can't wait for the Bills to put the stomping back in the Bills Football games, horns first !!!!

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  11. ZOOP about 1 year ago

    Yep the Bills are going to be good this year! Gotta love the addition of Hardy!! You are forgetting about Teyo Johnson though at TE. He has good speed for a TE and is 6'6 and good hands as he was a WR at Stanford and a former 2nd round pick. Don't sleep on Teyo!!

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  12. Edward Neuland about 1 year ago

    Very well written although you failed to mention Fred Jackson in your RB analysis. Freddy brings speed, elusiveness, and great pass catching ability out of the backfield. The Bills have a multitude of weapons now. I believe reaching its potential will depend on Turk's ability to install a game plan that plays to Edwards strengths. Move the ball around getting everyone involved. Be unpredictable!!! Looking forward to your insight on the "D" side. texbills-Ted

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  13. Kevin Luchansky about 1 year ago

    James Hardy will be an immediate red-zone threat - 6 TD's sounds pretty on target. I had the pleasure of watching Hardy tear up the Big Ten for the last three years.

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  14. Steven Eldridge about 1 year ago

    Wow what a difference Marv made.Always a classy winner and it robs off.Go Bills!

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  15. Steven Eldridge about 1 year ago

    rubs off not robs sorry

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  1. Steven Eldridge about 1 year ago

    Trent was also recommended by Mr Walsh.A descent talent scout.I predict next season Buffalo addresses the TE and Center positions.Collectively Buffalo has always built using the draft, sometimes a long monotonous process.Being a true blue Bills fan though its well worth it.

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