Breaking Down Buffalo Bills' Potential Passing Attack in 2012

Excuses abound for the Buffalo Bills floundering finish to the 2011 season after a blistering 5-2 start. Injuries, tough competition and lack of commitment to the run game all being potential factors in their hasty demise. 

The chemistry and excitement that the Bills offense had in their first seven games was almost non-existent in their final nine. If not for outstanding solo efforts by Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller, despite their lack of consistent touches, the Bills might have finished on an even worse skid. With center Eric Wood returning from another season-ending injury and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick healed up from his secret rib injury, the question heading into the season is can the Bills rekindle the magic of their aerial assault from early 2011?

A lot of factors add into the equation for that answer and how they play out will determine whether the Bills make the playoffs in 2012. 

Quarterback play is the obvious cog in the wheel that makes a passing attack sink or swim, but lets start with an even more fundamental unit than that: the guys in the trenches. 

The offensive line has been ravaged by injuries on an annual basis for as long as many Bills fans can remember. When healthy the unit has some of the best potential around, but potential is difficult to be harnessed if two-thirds of the starting five find their way onto the IR. 

Last season the unit embraced the "band of misfits" mantra bestowed upon them by many of the mainstream media outlets during their electrifying start. A group of five guys that many had been down on entering the season because of the number of NFL journeymen that it consisted of. They played with a fire to prove others wrong that was soon extinguished after LT Demetress Bell and C Eric Wood were both lost for the year before Week 11.

Once again the line will be shuffling its cards for opening day with Bell signing a contract with the Eagles to be their second-string left tackle and the drafting of Cordy Glenn out of Georgia. If the interior of the line can stay healthy and Glenn can learn the left tackle position quickly, then the line will have the opportunity to contribute to the passing offense success like the beginning of last season. 

The man they are protecting, Fitzpatrick, still has the pressure of proving his worth on his shoulders after the Bills front office shelled out big bucks after the Bills impressive start. At the time there were skeptics about the deal and the long term commitment to a player without any playoff appearances on his resume. Fitzpatrick, broken ribs or not, did little to quiet those critics by not showing he could carry a team to victory like a $60 million man should. 

All eyes are still on the quarterback as the Bills enter the new season and as evidenced by Gailey's no huddle approach in the first preseason game. He'll have every opportunity to fulfill the expectations of his contract. 

If Fitzpatrick is going to approach the shocking number of passes he had last season, he'll need to have players to throw to. The wide receiver competition is wide open behind Stevie Johnson and will likely be a battle that isn't decided until the week leading up to the regular season. 

The number two spot has been covered both locally and nationally with no one really being able to offer any kind of leader in the clubhouse. Donald Jones, the third year man out of Youngstown State, likely is the leader by default because of his familiarity with the position and because it was his spot to lose.

Chan Gailey had this to say about Jones in an interview with BuffaloBills.com just three days ago.

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 "He is ahead as he was when he came here, but nothing is locked in granite right now ... he’s had a very good camp,” Gailey said. “He’s looked quicker and faster than I remember from last year."

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Derek Hagan is an intriguing dark horse for the spot. Hagan hasn't stuck since coming into the league with the Dolphins seven seasons ago, but offers a hard-working, film junkie approach not always seen by receivers. Hagan knows that he is likely down to his final opportunities to make it in the league and looks determined to make his name known for a starting spot. Whether that is beneficial from a production standpoint for the Bills remains to be seen. 

With Marcus Easley falling out of favor with the coaching staff, rookie TJ Graham has seen his stock rise. The speedy rookie will be an interesting player to follow as he gets a sprinkling of reps with the first-team offense in the coming weeks. His success in year one will be determined by whether he can consistently beat defenders off the line and get past them deep. Gailey will have to find creative ways to use Graham because Fitzpatrick's arm strength limitations could take away from Graham's strengths as a receiver. 

David Nelson, the quasi tight end, and Scott Chandler will likely finish in the top three on the team in targets despite the results of the number two competition. Nelson is coming off a fifty catch season and could likely see that many again as he roams the middle of the field. 

The running backs in a Chan Gailey offense will never be forgotten when it comes to the passing game. Gailey expects his running backs to be able to not only run the ball at a high average but also to effectively catch the ball out of the backfield. Pass-blocking from a running back perspective is also an important part of Gailey's scheme, which is something that has gotten former first round pick CJ Spiller in the doghouse from time to time. Fred Jackson, the jack of all trades player, does this exact aspect of the game well, which is why he shall remain the starting back. 

If the preseason opener was any indication for fans, they should get used to seeing Spiller and Jackson line up on the outside in five-wide, empty back formations. Fitzpatrick will look to mix up looks with one or both guys on the field to keep defenses honest. And while I hope the Bills commit to the run a bit more in 2012, their two talented running backs bring a different skill set that many teams don't have the luxury of having. 

With a healthy squad, a few young players taking a step forward and a little luck, the Bills passing attack can certainly find its place among the AFC elite. 

All they need is a little Fitz-magic.