Buffalo Bills: We Shouldn't Be That Surprised By All The Changes

When Ralph Wilson decided at the conclusion of the 2008 season that he was going to allow Dick Jauron to come back to lead the Buffalo Bills for the 2009 campaign, one thing was made very clear: make the playoffs or you are fired. So, with those warm and fuzzy pleasantries out of the way, Jauron then embarked upon determining how to refine a team that produced 3 straight seasons that resulted in a 7-9 record.

The Bills teams over this time period are known to be a team that moves the ball but has trouble scoring touchdowns when they get in to the red zone. The defense doesn't force enough turnovers, either because they aren't aggressive enough, or lack the necessary playmakers that can create turnovers. Bills fans could usually rely on several things - the Bills would show up and play hard, and that the Bills Special Teams unit would live up to their name - Special.

Signing free agent Terrell Owens was the first step in making positive changes to the Bills team. When T.O. signed on the bottom line, that meant the Bills would automatically be in the national spotlight more than they had been. It also meant that the offense would have a key weapon that they lacked, in addition to eliminating double coverage on Lee Evans. So far, Terrell has been focused on learning the playbook and developing chemistry with Trent Edwards. He appears to be over the toe injury, which may have been the result of wearing a new type of shoe that caused him pain.

The next step in my mind is just as important. It was the decision to go to the non-huddle offense. This move meant that Bills' opponents would have to spend some of their precious planning time each week on how they were going to deal with this type of offense. The Bills will be able to dictate pace to their opposition and will be a factor in tiring out their opposition defensive personnel. To be sure, this also has the classic scenario of backfiring on them as well, because if you have a no-huddle that results in consecutive 3 and out series, (see their pre-season games) the Bills defense will be spending more and more time on the field. They need to be effective, efficient and keep the offense on the field longer than they did last year. They also need to convert more in the red zone if they want to be a winning team.

Then we come to the changing of the guard at the Offensive Coordinator position by promoting Alex Van Pelt and showing Turk Schonert the door. This move is not unprecidented, as the Bills were the third team to have made this specific move during the pre-season. For the Bills though, it means that they are asking Van Pelt to call their plays in New England on a Monday Night Football game, which is a tall order to say the least. How will be perform with a national audience watching? I don't expect any major blowups between Van Pelt and T.O. on opening night, but that might happen later on as the season unfolds. This move was about Jauron feeling comfortable with what the Bills offense was producing, and players like Trent Edwards and Lee Evans stepping up to voice their displeasure with where the offense was headed. If everyone is now on board and pulling in the same direction, you have to think they will have a better chance to compete.

The need to win caused the Bills to cut Dominic Rhodes and Langston Walker. These are veterans that one might think could contribute, but when you looked at their results in the pre-season, you realize that neither guy did that much. Rhodes got his touches but didn't put up that much yardage. What was more glaring for Dominic was the blown blitz pick-ups that caused QB sacks. That is not something you overlook and say it's okay. Walker was not getting the job done either. I realize the Bills are high on Demetrius Bell, so maybe the combination of going with Bell along with bringing Kirk Chambers back will be sufficient to get the job done. At least, Trent Edwards hopes so.

Personally, I wonder how all of the above will pan out. The Bills have long been known for selecting high character guys. The signing of Terrell Owens and the questionable off the field choices that Marshawn Lynch has made raises the question is high character still important to the Bills? Or is winning games and making the playoffs all that matters? 

The new class of rookies appears to be solid caliber individuals. It would have been nice if Jairus Byrd and Aaron Maybin had been able to play in every pre-season game so that they were better prepared for the New England game. The pressure of winning causes coaches like Jauron to operate with a short fuse, and as he admitted, he had not thought very long about firing Schonert. When the idea came to him, he went ahead and pulled the trigger. Watching Jauron in his press conferences, you will see him put his hand up to the side of his brain and rub his fingers back and forth. I have the feeling that is a sign of a royal headache that he is trying to contend with. For the sake of Dick Jauron, his family, Ralph Wilson, and the entire Buffalo Bills fan base, I hope that all of the hard work, the preparation and the patience demonstrated will result in a return to the playoffs. Let the games begin !