A Season to BILLieve?

The Buffalo Bills go in to the 2009 season with high expectations, however there are many question marks.  Many experts state this is Dick Jauron’s make or break year, and if he does not end the playoff drought his tenure as head coach could be over.

It's been nine years since the Bills last made the playoffs, and everyone including aging owner Ralph Wilson Jr. is clamoring for this to be the season to break that streak.

Wilson whom does not usually sign players with character issues has thrown that ideology by the wayside with his recent signing of Terrell Owens.  Owens is the type of high caliber player this team has been lacking for some time. 

However with all the hype Owens has brought it’s the player throwing him the ball that is going to determine whether this is another 7-9 team or playoff caliber.  Trent Edwards the third year quarterback out of Stanford is going to be the deciding factor as to how far this team can go. 

The offense is stacked with talent from receivers Lee Evans, Owens, with Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish playing the slot.  Last years second round pick James Hardy should see time in red zone situations, and newly drafted tight end Shawn Nelson looks to be a real deep threat across the middle. 

The running back position is also loaded with tough running Marshawn Lynch freshly off a Pro-Bowl appearance, under rated Freddy Jackson who has the speed and catching ability to be a game changer, and recently signed Dominic Rhodes who has performed in the past. 

With all these weapons Edwards is going to need to be able to read the coverage and hit receivers when open.  This will cause defenses to drop back allowing Lynch and the rest of the running backs more room to maneuver. 

Another big question mark is of those protecting Edwards with an entirely new offense line.  Gone is Pro-Bowl left tackle Jason Peters who was traded to the Eagles.  Starting left guard Derrick Dockery who was a high profile free agent two years ago is also gone. 

The Bills drafted Eric Wood in the first round out of Louisville, who looks to fill the right guard position.  While hopes are second round pick Andy Levitre out of Oregon St. will replace Dockery at the left guard position. 

Free agent acquisition Geoff Hangartner from the Panthers will be the teams starting center, with Langston Walker moving from right tackle to left tackle and Brad Butler moving from right guard to right tackle. 

Jauron and others inside the Bills actually see this line being an improvement over last years with the interior beefed up, however only time will tell. 

On the defensive side of the ball not much change was made through free agency, however it was addressed in the draft.  The Bills took Aaron Maybin a speed defensive end from Penn State with their first pick to get after the quarterback on passing situations. 

All signs look like he can be a situational player that has the speed and arm length to really get some pressure.  The Bills defense really lacked getting pressure on the opposing QB only registering 24 sacks last season. 

The hope is with former Pro-Bowler Aaron Schobel back from injury along with Maybin on pass rushing situations; this number can be dramatically increased.  The Bills hope second round pick, Jarius Byrd, an interception machine at Oregon, will be making a successful transition from cornerback to free safety. 

The defense was ranked 14th last season, and with the same crew back plus some new additions its not naïve to think it can be a top 10 defense.  The Bills do face a tough schedule as well as being a member of one of the top conferences, so this season should be an exciting one. 

If everything goes right and Edwards takes the needed steps this team could be a playoff contender, however if he stumbles another 7-9 season could be in the cards.