Team Weaknesses Post-2008

From the moment week 17 ended, I, as well as most Bills fans, were glad the torture was finally over. After an extremely promising 5-1 start, it's hard to go 0-6 in the division, and almost as bad to go 7-9 overall.

My initial response to the year included a lot of needs.

Defensive End:

Pass rush was far from mediocre, it was horrid, and it was non-existent for about 90 percent of the season. Yes, Schobel was hurt, but that doesn't change the fact that Kelsay is just downright horrible at what he does. He can't stop the run, he can't find the quarterback, he's slow to start the play, and he cannot get past any right tackles in this league. He needed to be replaced.

Schobel will be back, and I will be very glad to have him back. No, he's not a pro bowler anymore, but anything is better than that sub par play of the overpaid Ryan Denney.

Offensive Line:

Wow, for having so much money invested at left guard, we sure were horrible at it. Dockery was beyond not deserving of the money he was getting. Now, he was playing next to a guy that wouldn't start on any other team at center, but he was still rotten.

Peters has finally admitted that he let the contract dispute affect his play, and I definitely believe it. He caused a lot of fumbles because he could not keep up with guys; he got beat a lot.

At center, well, it was bad, very, very bad. Fowler was blown up at every play, and Preston couldn't remember where the quarterback was. This really was our biggest need on this team.

Outside Linebacker:

Keith Ellison is very, weak. He gets beaten, and he gets blocked. He doesn't make plays, and he doesn't stop runners. He's very mediocre, and should be a backup, though it sounds like Jauron is happy with his play, so I guess we're going forward with very mediocre play on the strong side.