Question Marks Will Define Bills' Season in 2009

After a disappointing 2008 season, the Buffalo Bills have a lot to prove this fall. On the heels of a hot 5-1 start last year, fans were gearing up for a run at the playoffs, but a 2-8 record in their last 10 games saw Buffalo fall to the basement in the AFC East, finishing 0-6 in the division.

The 2008 season exposed the Bills' glaring weaknesses on offense. The team finished 23rd overall in points scored and 25th in yards allowed, numbers they hope to improve with the pieces they’ve added in 2009.

Certainly, the team has filled some holes that needed plugging but it feels like we’re left with just as many questions about the upcoming season as we have answers.

The biggest storyline for the Bills this offseason was the acquisition of disgruntled wide-out Terrell Owens. The All-Pro receiver adds another weapon in the Bills’ already stocked wide receiver corps.

If nothing else, Owens’ size and reputation should free up the secondary for Lee Evans, James Hardy, and Roscoe Parrish. But still, question marks plague this offensive group.

Both Owens and Evans present a deep threat for opposing defenses, but will there be enough balls to go around? The Bills run a primarily run-oriented offense, leaving slim pickings for the two wide-outs.

The ability of Owens and Evans to work together on the field will be crucial to the offensive success for the Bills in 2009. Owens doesn’t exactly have the best record when it comes to playing well with others.  He was able to behave himself in Dallas his first year, but only time will tell if the numbers he provides on the field will be worth the potential volcano waiting to erupt in the locker room.

Trent Edwards followed up his promising 2007 rookie campaign with an unspectacular 2008. After suffering a concussion in Week Five against the Arizona Cardinals, the young quarterback never looked the same and performed inconsistently down the stretch.

Edwards has shown flashes that he has what it takes to be a starter in the NFL, but he still needs to show his talent on a consistent basis. J.P. Losman isn’t in Buffalo anymore, so there’s no question about who the starter is. Let’s see how he responds to the pressure.

The arrival of Terrell Owens could prove to be a double edged sword for Edwards in 2009. Sure T.O. will apply pressure to defenses, but we might see another one of his trademark sideline tirades if the ball doesn’t get thrown to him early and often.

Edwards will need to prove that he can be the vocal leader of the team on and off the field, battling the personality of Terrell Owens in the locker room.

2009 will see drastic changes on the offensive line for the Bills. Derrick Dockery, Duke Preston, and Pro-Bowler Jason Peters are gone, giving an opportunity for others to prove their worth.

The team addressed the line issue in the draft, selecting Eric Wood with the 28th overall pick. The offensive line has historically been a problem for a Bills team that has been offensively challenged over the last few years. The largest line in the NFL last year has been completely revamped and will certainly play a huge role in the success of the Bills in 2009.

The arrival of Terrell Owens has stolen the headlines in Buffalo and no one could be happier than running back Marshawn Lynch.

Following his arrest on gun charges in February, Commissioner Roger Goodell issued Lynch with a three game suspension for the start of the 2009 season. Couple this with the admission that the already bulky half-back has put on 10 lbs for the upcoming season, and you have some serious questions in the backfield for Buffalo.

Lynch is arguably the team’s best player, providing a physical running game to their ground attack. Starting the season without Beast Mode is certainly not what the fans wanted for 2009. In his absence, the bulk of the carries will fall to Fred Jackson, who proved he could handle the load last year by averaging 5.2 yards per attempt.

We’ll have to wait and see if the added bulk will affect Lynch’s running style, but the suspension may be a blessing in disguise for the Bills; a 13 game season for Lynch should surely leave him fresh for the playoffs. That is, if the team can get that far.