Ryan Fitzpatrick and 10 Buffalo Bills That Fans Should Be Excited to See in 2011
Even in disappointing seasons, football teams still produce players who provide excitement for the fanbase. The 2010 Buffalo Bills were no exception. An 0-8 start prompted speculation by some that the Bills may go winless. However, players like former seventh-round draft pick Steve Johnson helped Buffalo to a 4-4 record over the second half of the season and gave hope to Bills fans that next year will be better.
Several years of bad draft picks and constant coaching changes have rendered Buffalo a project. It will take more than a year to build this franchise into a real playoff contender. However, in 2011, a group of players will still provide a positive outlook on the future and create a few highlights in the process.
Here are the top 10 players that Buffalo fans should look forward to seeing in the fall.
10. Terrence McGee
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The veteran from Northwestern State may lose a step as he enters his 30s, but he is still one of the most electric players in recent Buffalo Bills history. On Dec. 24, 2005, he became the first player in NFL history to return both a kickoff and an interception for a touchdown in the same game. He is also the all-time leading kickoff returner in Buffalo history.
His defensive play has been an anchor for the Bills' secondary over the last few years. He may not be a complete shutdown corner like Nnamdi Asomugha or Darrelle Revis but he quite serviceable. He is only 5'9" but has the ability to play physical defense against taller receivers and hold his own.
He doesn't get a lot of kick returns these days, but his sound defense is still fun to watch, and he should make at least a couple big plays this year.
9. Roscoe Parrish
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Roscoe Parrish has the ability to rank among the most electrifying players in the NFL. The former University of Miami star hasn't achieved consistently enough to rank near the top of this list, but Buffalo fans should still look for him to have a few jaw-dropping highlights next year.
C.J. Spiller and Leodis McKelvin have threatened to take away his returning duties, but you still may see him have a spectacular return touchdown sometime this year. On offense he has the speed to absolutely burn a secondary. He won't dominate a game, but he should provide a few thrilling scores on deep routes this year.
8. Shawne Merriman
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In the 1960s, Buffalo claimed an injured San Diego starter off of waivers for $100. Jack Kemp went on to lead the Bills to two consecutive AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965.
Buffalo would like for waiver-wire claim Shawne Merriman to have a similar effect. He was hurt last year, but if healthy this year, he could have a great effect for the Bills. Buffalo will continue to use some 3-4 looks on defense and, as a great pass-rusher, Merriman could fit well at outside linebacker in this system.
He is closing in on 50 career sacks and would love to exceed that milestone this year. Fans will enjoy watching that as well.
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7. Jairus Byrd
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As a rookie from Oregon, Jairus Byrd made headlines in 2009 when he tied an NFL record also held by Dave Baker by recording multiple interceptions in each of three consecutive games. He could have smashed the record, as he had a single interception in each of the two games book-ending his historic run. He finished with nine interceptions in just 11 starts.
In 2010, Byrd had just one interception...which he returned 37 yards for a touchdown against the New York Jets. That's three career interceptions he has against Mark Sanchez in just two seasons. Bills fans should be waiting for the ball-hawking Byrd to make an impression this season, and they will not be disappointed.
6. Fred Jackson
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Fred Jackson didn't just go undrafted after attending Division III Coe College. He had to play indoor football for two years before he was able to join the Buffalo Bills. Thankfully, Coe College graduate and NFL Hall of Famer Marv Levy offered Jackson a roster spot in 2006 during his stint as general manager. Fred Jackson has never looked back.
He combines a quick burst with an uphill running style to accumulate lots of productive short-to-intermediate length runs. He also is a good pass receiver out of the backfield. While Jackson lacks the electrifying ability of a Roscoe Parrish, he is always productive, and Buffalo fans should have fun watching him put together solid drives this fall. He might be the most consistent player the Bills have.
5. Kyle Williams
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Kyle Williams was a fifth-round draft pick in 2006 despite a productive collegiate career at LSU. Last year, he became acclaimed as one of the best nose guards in the NFL, and he was the sole bright spot in Buffalo's bottom-ranked run defense last year.
Williams registered 5.5 sacks last year despite playing nose guard and not being surrounded by incredible talent. Imagine this year when Shawne Merriman and Marcell Dareus are on the defensive front. Williams could very well be named to the Pro Bowl for a second straight year and should leave plenty of grass stains on the uniforms of opposing quarterbacks.
4. C.J. Spiller
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This former Clemson running back has top-tier ability and explosiveness. He had a disappointing year last season as he lacked Fred Jackson's consistency and was eventually replaced by Jackson as the team's number one running back.
He showed a flash of his potential when he returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the New England Patriots and caught a touchdown pass in the same game. As he spends more time in the NFL learning the nuances of the running back position, he should emerge as a big time playmaker.
3. Steve Johnson
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He may have achieved some infamy for his Twitter comments blaming God for a dropped touchdown in overtime. Steve Johnson's popularity in Buffalo is very high though. This former seventh-round draft pick infused a spark into the Buffalo offense last year.
Johnson gives Buffalo what they had not had for a while: a solid number two receiver. Lee Evans has been the number one wideout in Buffalo for a while but has lacked a solid running mate. Guys like Peerless Price and Roscoe Parrish were never able to settle soundly into the role in Buffalo. Johnson complements Evans very well as he has great quickness and burst underneath, allowing Evans to go deep and make use of his top end speed.
Johnson had three games with at least 137 receiving yards last year and caught three touchdowns against Cincinnati. Additionally, he had five consecutive games with a touchdown and helped keep hope alive in Buffalo during the 0-8 start.
2. Marcell Dareus
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People are talking about Marcell Dareus as if he "fell" to the third overall draft pick. Dareus is a phenomenal football player who also happens to be an ideal fit for the Bills' defensive system. Buffalo will be showing both 3-4 and 4-3 looks and want to have variety in their schemes.
Dareus represents a big physical guy who can play pretty much any position on the defensive line. He may be used as a 4-3 defensive tackle and as a 3-4 defensive end.
Although Buffalo drafted well this year and I am bullish on Johnny White, it's hard for rookies to have a big impact or get a lot of opportunities to make exciting plays. Therefore Dareus is the only rookie on this list, but he should be phenomenal. Next to Kyle Williams, teams may not be able to throw all their resources at him. If they do, Williams could start to dominate. If Williams can play like he did last year while being double-and-triple-teamed, imagine how much better Dareus can make him.
Dareus will be a plug in the middle of that defensive line and show Bills fans what a great run-stopper looks like. He will have some big hits, turnovers, and even a few sacks this year. Dareus could be a terror in Week 1, and therefore will be one of the most exciting Buffalo players to watch this year.
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick
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The consensus seems to be that Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the long term answer for the Buffalo Bills. While he will never be Peyton Manning, this Harvard alumnus changed the course of Buffalo's season for the better last year.
Like Doug Flutie, another Buffalo quarterback from a prestigious New England college, Fitzpatrick does not have ideal measurables to be an NFL quarterback but is a natural playmaker. He can throw darts and also run effectively.
In his first start of the 2010 season, Fitzpatrick completed over 70 percent of his passes in a close 38-30 loss to the New England Patriots. In his second start he led the team by rushing for 74 yards against the vaunted New York Jets defense.
Fitzpatrick is willing to take shots downfield, something predecessor Trent Edwards was criticized for not doing enough. While he will turn the ball over, Fitzpatrick also makes plays. He threw for 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. He led the team to four wins and several stellar offensive performances in losses. He even threw a game-winning, 50-yard touchdown pass in overtime against the Steelers; Steve Johnson just didn't catch it.
Fitzpatrick plays with bravado and will make many more exciting plays this year. If the defense improves in 2011 and Fitzpatrick fulfills his potential, the Bills might surprise some people.
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