Buffalo Bills In 2009: Perception Vs Reality

Perception vs Reality

With respect to the plans that were originally drawn up this past off-season for the 2009 Buffalo Bills, there were a number of perceived topics that continued to be talked about going into the season.

While some topics are too early to firmly judge one way or the other, please find the following topics that appear to have fallen short; another words the proof after five weeks says that the reality is clearly different than was the Bills perception.

Let's explore some of these topics in more detail:

1) Perception: After three straight 7-9 seasons, the Bills were ready to take the next step up and be a playoff team.

Reality: We have seen teams in the past make dramatic turnarounds in a year, but starting out 1-4 is not the way to begin a playoff season. Heck, they started out 6-1 last year, only to miss the playoffs. Getting some key injured players would help, but the season-ending injuries to some key players, and lack of production on offense suggests that the playoffs are a long way away.

2) Perception: Adding Terrell Owens to the offense was going to create a dynamic offense. There would be too many weapons for defenses to key on Lee Evans and Terrell Owens, plus Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish, James Hardy, and the running back duo of Freddy Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.

Reality: Trent Edwards inability to throw the ball down the field will allow defenses to key the run and shut down the ground game. They will force Trent to throw the deep ball, something he has not shown the greatest accuracy to do.

3) Perception: The No-Huddle Offense would allow the Bills to control the pace and flow of the game. They could dictate how their opponent's defense would be allowed to substitute by keeping the pace of the game running by lining up without a huddle.

Reality: The no-huddle has fizzled and demonstrated to be a flop. The Bills did not have the ability to keep the chains moving, too many three and outs, and a young offensive line that continued to be penalized forcing them in too many third and long scenarios that they were not able to convert.

4) Perception: That Trent Edwards was maturing as a quarterback and would be able to make the team a winner.

Reality: Trent seems to be scrambling better when he decides to run with the ball. However, he keeps making mistakes by throwing in to traffic and getting balls picked off and returned for touchdowns. When he is on the run, he seems to lack the arm strength to throw long, as he underthrew an open Terrell Owens last week, which could have been a huge play.

Also, Trent seems to be oblivious to pressure sometimes, or not able to understand that he has a certain window of time to release the pass where his guy has a chance to catch it, rather than holding on too long, getting flushed towards the sidelines, and heaving it out of bounds, which all adds up to one more wasted play. There are too many wasted plays every Sunday for a third year quarterback, in my opinion.

5) Perception: That the young versatile lineman would allow the team to have a mobile attack and be more physical than their opponents.

Reality: The young lineman are definitely versatile, physical and agile, even nasty. But with their youth, comes lots of mistakes. mental and physical, along with lack of composure. The growing number of illegal procedures continue to put the Bills in unfavorable down and distance scenarios, and hopefully goes away with maturity and more playing time.

6) Perception: That the special teams unit, usually very reliable and top ranked unit in the NFL, would help push the Bills over the top in close games.

Reality: Leading the NFL special teams units in most penalties, committing two costly fumbles that could easily be pointed to as costing the Bills the New England and the Cleveland game, and not being able to field punts that result in the offense starting within their own five-yard line time and time again, are a number of reasons this unit has been a major reason for the current record.

7) Perception: That the Bills had finally added enough depth to be ready to endure a grinding NFL season.

Reality: I have to admit that I was happy with the depth that the team appeared to have in place coming in to the season. But the reality is that they continue to be devastated with too many injuries that cause any reasonable strategy for back up depth to be thrown out of the window.

8) Perception: That Dick Jauron was ready to lead the Buffalo Bills in to the playoffs this season.

Reality: With such a low plus rating from the Bills faithful, it is clear that Dick Jauron has lost the respect he once held. He is very nice man, I respect him as a person, and he continues to maintain calm and poise in the face of adversity. But as the coach of the Buffalo Bills for a fourth straight year? No thank you. I hope to see a change by the bye week.

Care to discuss or kick around any of the above topics? Looking forward to any and all comments.