2009 Expectations for the Buffalo Bills

The expectations for the Buffalo Bills heading into the 2009 NFL season must result in the playoffs or there will be a lot of changes at One Bills Drive. It’s a hard, tough 16 game regular season road towards playoffs.

Owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. has made it playoffs or bust this season, after a nine year playoff drought. Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon was extremely disappointed in the coaching staff after last year’s 5-1 start and failing to miss the playoffs. He wanted to jettison head coach Dick Jauron, but Jauron was granted a reprieve after signing a contract extension during the middle of the season.

Trent Edwards started the season on a tear, but after suffering a concussion against the Arizona Cardinals in week five. He became tentative in making the important throws and became skittish in the pocket.

Second round draft pick James Hardy didn’t have initial impact as he learned the offense and the pro game before suffering a season-ending injury against the Jets in week 15.

The upgrades on offense should make immediate impacts. Terrell Owens will provide Edwards with a good target on deep balls and Owens’s stats has proven he gets into the end zone. Lee Evans should benefit the most as he won’t be seeing as many double coverages as he’s seen the past few seasons.  

The questions are around whether the retooled offensive line works together well. Two rookies on the interior plus free agent center Geoff Hangartner are just some of the pieces that make up the line, which also includes Darwin Walker moving from right guard to left and Brad Butler from guard to tackle.

Defensively, the team continues making strides by adding Drayton Florence to replace departed Jabari Greer and the emergence of former first round pick Leodis McKelvin in the corner back corps for the Bills. The drafting of Jairus Byrd means that Donte Whitner will be able to go back to strong safety.

The linebacker position wasn’t addressed through the draft or through free agency, leaving Keith Ellison as a starter along with Paul Posluzsny and Kawika Mitchell. They should be better after getting another off season to learn the system. The reserves of Alvin Bowen, Nic Harris and Pat Thomas should provide solid special teams contributions.

The help comes along the defensive line in the form of pass rushing end Aaron Maybin. Maybin should be an instant impact on third down. Maybin’s presence allows Aaron Schobel to see less double teams and be freer to attack the quarterback. Marcus Stroud and Kyle Williams should be the constant push up the middle.

Special teams will always be the constant, as Bobby April’s unit will always succeed. McKelvin will replace Terrence McGee on the kick offs and Roscoe Parrish will continue to electrify Bills fans during his punt return attempts. Brian Moorman and Rian Lindell will continue to kick in the tough conditions at Ralph Wilson Field.

The expectations for the Bills are the playoffs, and with the free agent and draft additions, the playoffs aren’t far off. The AFC east is a tough division and the AFC presents a tougher path to the playoffs because there are so many teams close to making the playoffs along with the stalwarts in other AFC divisions.