2010 Buffalo Bills Offensive Preview: New Faces To Be Starting

The Buffalo Bills are heading into their first season under the newly instated Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey regime. For quite some time, the Bills have run a vanilla offense, displaying no flash and no resonance, leaving fans with little to hope for.

This season, the Bills not only have new faces on the sidelines, but they are expected to have many new faces on the field as well.

Featured here is a preview of the Buffalo Bills' offensive side of the ball, along with some training camp battles and who is expected to win starting jobs.

Quarterbacks

With incumbent starters Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick leaving little excitement in the minds of Bills fans at the end of the 2009 season, there is an open competition between Edwards, Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm, and seventh round draft pick Levi Brown, out of Troy.

While Levi Brown will most likely be leading the practice squad during the 2010 season, the competition between Edwards, Fitzpatrick, and Brohm will be an interesting one.

Edwards looked ready to take over the reigns of the franchise in 2008 until his injury against the Arizona Cardinals in Week six. However, upon his return he was never able to regain his confidence and lead the team to victory.

Ryan Fitzpatrick showed signs of life during the 2009 season, scrambling for touchdowns, throwing bombs to Terrell Owens, and leading the "so-so" attack of the Bills. However, his mobility is questionable, and he is much better suited as a solid backup.

Brian Brohm was highly regarded as a top-five pick coming out of Louisville in the 2008 NFL Draft, but was never able to make it to the field until Week 16 of the 2009 season against the Atlanta Falcons.

With Brian Brohm comes youth, strength, as well as the determination that usually comes with new coaching regimes.

My Prediction: It will be an interesting struggle between Trent Edwards and Brian Brohm, but the new coach, Chan Gailey, will go with the new and mobile Brian Brohm for opening day.

Running Backs

The Buffalo Bills have a strength at the running back position, and Chan Gailey loves to run the ball. With the three-headed tandem of Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller out of Clemson University, the Bills have every facet of the running game covered.

Fred Jackson will likely be the week one starter, after his 1,000 yard 2009 season, but expect to see many variations in the backfield.

Coach Gailey has stated that he loves the versatility Spiller has to offer, and to not be surprised when we see Spiller lined up in the slot, creating mismatches for the defense, while having both Lynch and Jackson lined up in the backfield.

The running game will be the sole strength of the Buffalo offense this season, but I am sure it will be exciting.

Wide Receivers

The Bills were unable to acquire another top-notch play maker to line up opposite Lee Evans this year, leaving a wide open competition for the No. 2 spot, after Josh Reed wasn't offered a new deal at the end of the 2009 Season.

Fan favorite, Steve Johnson, showed promise in the preseason, but wasn't given the opportunity to succeed under former coach Dick Jauron. Johnson, at 6'2" 215 lbs, gives size and speed that is needed to create space for Lee Evans.

James Hardy, who was supposed to resemble T.O. before the Bills actually signed T.O., has been injured and labeled a bust until now. Hardy, who is recovered and determined to succeed will likely be the main competition for Steve Johnson, as newly-drafted wideout Marcus Easley is very raw and has some work to do.

Also, Chad Jackson, Felton Huggins, Donald Jones, David Nelson, and Namaan Roosevelt will compete for roster spots.

Tight End

Shawn Nelson, a fourth round draft pick in 2009, caught the first touchdown pass of the 2009 season. What seemed to be a sign of good things to come, was quickly brought to an end, as Nelson's season was plagued by injury.

Nelson has great blocking and receiving skills, and will likely be a security blanket for either Trent Edwards or Brian Brohm, when the small offensive line crumples.

Derek Schouman and Joe Klopfenstein will also assist in blocking, but Nelson is the expected starter.

Left Tackle

Both Demetrius Bell and Jamon Meredith are young and raw, but will both compete for the starting job many thought would be filled with the Bills first-round selection in the draft.

Meredith, a practice squad addition from the Green Bay Packers last season, showed strength and versatility and deserves a chance to compete.

The Bills coaching staff seem to be high on Bell, as the seventh rounder out of Northwestern State will be given every opportunity to achieve, after his season was ended last year due to injury.

Guard and Center

Second-year starters Eric Wood and Andy Levitre will most likely hold down the interior line for the Buffalo Bills, but rookie Kyle Calloway out of Iowa, has superior size and strength, and can make the adjustment to guard.

Kirk Chambers can also be considered.

Right Tackle

The Bills signed Cornell Green, a former Oakland Raider this offseason. Green comes with penalty and work ethic issues, but adds veteran experience to a young and depleted line.

Fifth round selection Ed Wang, out of Virginia Tech, will compete and offer depth, but will most likely be used on special teams.

The loser of the Bell and Meredith competition will also be considered for a starting job.