Die Hard Bills Fan

It is being reported by multiple sources that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is being shopped around in the NFL trade market.  The Chiefs are talking to multiple teams about their star tight end, although no one team has been mentioned yet.

My question is why don’t the Buffalo Bills try to take a run at him?  So I am here to list my reasons why they should.

1. They have the Cap Room

Tony Gonzalez does come over with a pretty nice contract (in the Bills eyes).  He did sign a five year, $35 million deal back in 2006 but $17.75 million of that is guaranteed.  The rest of Gonzalez’s contract calls for him to make $1 million in 2008, $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011. 

Now the number isn’t exact, but the Bills have about $20 million in cap space that they can still work with.  The Bills have plenty of room to add Gonzalez’s contract. 

2.  The Bills Need a Good Tight End

Sorry Robert Royal but you just aren’t getting the job done.  You are a very mediocre tight end that really shouldn’t be starting in the NFL.  You are a good run blocker but are not really a threat in the passing game which is a shame for your QB. 

Trent Edwards loves throwing to the guys underneath, like his running backs and tight ends but he doesn’t really have a tight end to throw to.  The 6 foot 5, 251 pound Gonzalez would give Edwards a huge target to throw to and also another red zone target.  Let’s be honest the Bills need another target on offense.  Marshawn Lynch is in a little bit of a slump, and Lee Evans is still drawing double teams with the Bills lack of a true #2 wide receiver (Josh Reed is more of a slot guy, rookie James Hardy still is learning the game, and Roscoe Parrish is out for the next few weeks due to a thumb injury).       

3. The Bills have been looking for a Good TE

Not sure if any of you guys out their remember it or not, but the Bills were taking a hard look at now Tennessee Titans TE Alge Crumpler during the off season but were unable to sign him.  They then went after guys like Courtney Anderson and Tim Massaquoi and even drafted Derek Fine in the NFL Draft this year (Anderson and Massaquoi were cut, and Fine has not been activated yet because of a thumb injury).  

They know they need a tight end and hopefully they are still looking for one right now.

4.  Sure Tony is Getting Older, but He is Still an Elite TE

Sure people take a look at his number this year, 21 receptions for 193 yards and 2 TDs, and say the 32 year old is done but that is mostly because he is on such a bad team and hasn’t had one QB throwing to him this season.  The Chiefs are just throwing random QBs in there each week and Tony’s numbers are really hurting because of it. 

Remember this is a guy coming off a great 2007 campaign when he caught 99 passes for 1172 yards and 5 touchdowns. 

He is just off to a slow start and has plenty left in the tank to be elite in the next few years.

5. The Bills Could Use a Vet

The Bills are a young team just learning how to win games in this league.  Why not bring in a 12 year vet that has been there before?  The Bills oldest player on the offense is 30 year old Robert Royal who never been on a playoff team.  

The Bills could really use a smart veteran like Gonzalez that would not only open up the offense more, but also provide some leadership to the young guys in the locker room.

6.  He is a High Character Guy

The Bills love their players to be character guys, who are not only good at football but also stay out of trouble.  Gonzalez is very active in charitable organizations like the Tony Gonzalez Foundation, the United Way, and the Boys and Girls club just to name a few. 

Not only is he a great player, but a great person too. This is a guy that the Bills organization would love to have.

7.  All of This Could Be Yours for a Draft Pick

It is being reported that all the Chiefs are looking for is a decent draft pick (or picks) in exchange for their star TE.  Earlier in the off-season, Saints TE Jeremy Shockey was traded for a 2^nd round and 5^th round pick, something the Bills could easily muster up (also keep in mind that Shockey is four years younger at the age of 28).  The Bills already have their young, core players on the squad.  This season they can afford to give up a couple picks to better themselves for the next few years with a star TE in their offense.  

Gonzalez is still an elite tight end who currently holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and yards receiving.  He has also gone to 9 pro bowls in his career and could still make the trip for a few more.  I would love to see the Bills go after him in an attempt to make a run for the playoffs, something the team hasn’t done for over a decade.  

Don’t agree at all?  Think I am nuts?  Want the Bills to try to get this guy today?  Please write your reactions in the comment box below or send over an email to buffbillsfan517@yahoo.com.  Your feedback is gr

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Hello and welcome back to the site Bills fans!  Our Countdown to Kickoff posts have begun.  To start it off, Paul Kasprzak joins us for an interview.  Paul currently blogs about the entire NFL at his site, kasperskorner.speakupwny.com, but he is also a Bills fan.  He was kind enough to take some time away from writing to join us (as always my questions are in bold while the answers given are in normal font).  Here we go!

First I would like to start it off with some NFL news.  Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin was fired on Tuesday.  What are your thoughts on this?

Nobodys fault but his own.  For him to think he could get his dad to run the defense is crazy.  It never would have happened if the Raiders pursued it.  The Buccaneers are notorious for not letting coaches go under contract.

I’ll stick with the entire NFL for this question.  Who is the best and worst team so far this season?

Worst team is by far the Saint Louis Rams.  They have a boat load of money tied up into aging stars like Orlando Pace, and Torry Holt.  It is going to be at least five years before they turn it around.

The best is the Bills.  They have won four straight.  They have won with two units that are in the process of some overhauls, and have not gotten the execution down yet.  The offense should be scary by the end of the year, and Trent Edwards stats should blow peoples’ minds away.  The west coast offense is one of the premier offenses in the National Football League.  It gives the quarterback a better chance to succeed by allowing him to get into a rhythm easier with the short passes, which in the second half benefits the running game.  It benefits from the pass, because defenses in the second half are just flat worn out from being on the field so long.

Now we will get to the Bills who are now 4-0, one of only two teams in the NFL who have that record.  What are your thoughts on how the Bills have looked through the 1^st quarter of the season?

They have looked pretty good.  Defensively, they have it together.  The addition of Stroud, thus forcing defensive tackle Kyle Williams to move over, has been huge.  Both of them together are probably one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league.  The other units I addressed in the previous question.

What have you thought of 2^nd year QB Trent Edwards?

He is without a shadow of a doubt the franchise quarterback of the Bills, and by the end of the year, statistically, will be one of the top five in the league.

How about the coaches?  What are your thoughts on the job Head Coach Dick Jauron, and new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert have done so far this season?

They have done a good job.  The only thing you can complain about is the play calling by the coordinators in the first half of the Saint Louis Rams game.  Not enough blitzes on defense, and too many deep passes on offense.  The deep jump fade was a bad call.  It is an extremely difficult thing to do.  The wide receiver has to find the ball get to the right spot, and then time his jump perfectly, so that he catches it at the peak of his jump.  Personally, I would have waited to call this till Edwards and Hardy perfected the goal line fade.

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but looking at the Bills schedule where do you see them finishing this season?

Somewhere between 11-5 to 13-3.  Every game for the Bills this year is winnable if the defense keeps performing the way it has.

Now let’s get into the game on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.  How big of a factor do you thing CB Terrence McGee being out of the lineup will have on the Bills defense?

Not much at all.  Most likely the Cardinals will be with out wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and in the offseason they lost their third wide receiver Bryant Johnson to free agency.  Even without McGee they should be fine, and the Kurt Warner of old finally reared its head again.

What are your “keys to the game” in order for the Bills to pull off a victory?

Simple, minimize their mistakes.  They are talented enough that if they execute the plays they were designed they can beat any team. 

Now I have to ask you for a prediction.  Who do you have winning this one?
The Bills.  Kurt Warner is unreliable, and is a turnover machine.  Without Boldin the defense will load up against the run, and force Warner to try and beat the Bills with a double teamed Larry Fitzgerald.

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The countdown to kickoff has begun.  Only 4 days away until the Bills return to the Ralph to take on the Oakland Raiders.  Similar to last week, instead of breaking down a match up today I invited another guest to the site.  Matt Loede joins the website today.  He is the senior editor at billsgab.com and nflgridirongab.com.  NFLGridrongab.com brings together all of the teams in the NFL.  It is a great site to go to for opinions and news on any NFL team.  Matt has been covering the sports world for over 13 years and this week he is heading to Blog World 2008 this weekend in Las Vegas.  He was gracious enough to stop by and chat a little bit about the Buffalo Bills and the entire NFL (NOTE: Just like last time, my questions are in bold while Matt’s answers are in normal font).  

What are your thoughts on the Bills through their first 2 games?  They beat the Seahawks badly, 34-10 and they came through when they had to against the Jaguars 20-16.  That is two wins against playoff teams from last year.  Sure both of these teams have injuries, but they looked pretty good in both of them.  This is the first time since 2003 that the Bills have started 2-0 to begin a season.

I think the Bills have looked solid through two weeks.  The one thing that has impressed me is the maturity of Trent Edwards, as well as the ability of the defense to make stops when they need to.  Edwards and the offense really came through Sunday when the team was trailing and had two great drives to take the game back over.  Injuries or not, many felt Seattle and Jacksonville would be, and could still be playoff teams.

How do you like the Bills offense through the first 2 games?  It is similar to a west coast offense with some different formations.  It let’s the young QB Trent Edwards make quick decisions and they air it out when the defense starts cheating up.  Not to mention Edwards spreads the ball all over the place.  Everyone gets involved, something as Bills fans we haven’t seen in a while.  Plus they have Lynch that they can ride all day too if needed.

As I said above, Edwards and the offense has looked very good.  Turk Schonert has done a very good job in two games as the new offensive coordinator in putting Edwards and the offense in a position to succeed, and Trent has taken advantage of it.  Marshawn and the running game has been good, and credit also has to be given to the O-line for doing a good job up front.

How do you see the AFC East playing out?  The Patriots looked pretty much like the same team (just less scoring) and the New York Jets looked pretty bad.  The Bills and the Pats are both 2-0 so far this season.  Do you give the Bills a shot?

The Bills have a shot, but injuries and how other teams shape up will determine just how much of a shot Buffalo has come playoff time.  The big difference is they started slow last year and caught their stride midway through the season.  This year they have already started fast, and now need to not have a letdown, as the Pats will not be going away easily as we saw last week vs. the Jets.

What are your “surprises” so far this year?  A lot has caught me off guard so far.

• Titans at 2-0, I’m surprised with.  I didn’t see that team doing anything this year. 
• Colts at 1-1!  What surprises me with that is Peyton Manning doesn’t look like himself (except for the one throw to Wayne ). 
• Broncos at 2-0.   I thought Denver would be fighting for a wild card spot not leading the division (although some calls by refs in your favor help).
• Chargers at 0-2!  Chargers get beat by last second plays two weeks in a row but their defense does not look right to me (and Shawn Merrian is out for the year).
• Vikings 0-2!  Vikings were supposed to be going to the Superbowl according to some experts.
• Jags 0-2.  Jags went 11-5 last year, although they do have some injuries.    

There has been plenty of surprises to go around, some good, and of course some bad.

For the Good - the Bills have to be high on the list, along with the Carolina Panthers, who look like they are going to contend with the Saints for the NFC South Title.  Pittsburgh looks for real in the AFC, and Jay Cutler and the Broncos look like a team that is going to give a lot of teams issues.

On the Bad side - The Browns and Vikings have to top the list.  These two teams were the “sexy” picks by many to get deep in the playoffs, and now they are both having to fight just to not find themselves 0-3 after Sunday.  The Chargers have had a tough start, and the Colts may be 1-1, but they look like they have aged a bit.  Seattle and the Jaguars look like two teams that are going to never be able to overcome already the injuries they have encountered.

While we are on the entire NFL, I have to ask this question early in the season. What are your predictions for the rest of the season (division leaders, playoff teams, Superbowl champs, etc.)?  Sorry if you have gotten sick of this one.

Division Champs:
AFC - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver
NFC - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona
Wild Cards - AFC: Tennessee, San Diego NFC: NY Giants, Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Dallas vs. Pittsburgh - Dallas 24-20

Back to the Bills now.  What are your keys to the game for them to beat the Raiders?  The #1 on my list is to stop the run.

Stopping the run is by far and away the most important.  This team ran for 300 yards last week, so yes, that is the biggest key.  On offense, they can’t make mistakes to think the Raiders can sneak out a win in Buffalo.  Take the lead early, pressure Russell and force him to have to win the game

How about them rookies?!?  We say both of them play roles in todays game.  2^nd rounder James Hardy caught the go ahead touchdown pass and even 1^st round pick Leodis McKelvin got into the game a little bit with two returns.  What role do you see the two of them playing the rest of the season?  I don’t see McKelvin beating out Jabri Greer anytime soon for the starting spot.  

I see Hardy and McKelvin playing the roles they have already played, which is to get in the games at various points, but also for Dick Jauron and the staff not to force them into situations to fail.  I like that neither have had to play a lot, but when they have played they have been able to be successful.

A big part of the Bills offense is Lee Evans.  Do you think he gets a contract extension and stays with the Bills for the foreseeable future?

Edwards and Evans finally seem on the same page, which concerned me entering the season.  Yes, I see Evans and the team getting together on a deal that will pay him like the #1 WR that he is quickly showing he can be week in and week out.

How about another WR?  Every year we hear how the Bills are going to get the ball into Roscoe Parrish’s hands.  Do you think this will come true this year?

Right now Parrish is still a mystery as to how much he’ll be used.  He only has four catches in two games, and Edwards seems more comfortable with Evans and Robert Royal.  Parrish will at some point get a shot to make a play, but those may be few and far between.

Where did Aston Youboty come from?  I didn’t even have this guy making the roster before preseason. 

Just goes to show that some players that are not great in preseaosn and practice can show up when the lights are brightest.  That’s the case with Ashton, who seems to have relished his role with the team, with 11 tackles and a sack in two games.  For now, he’s been a welcome surprise.

Prediction time.  What is the score for the game between the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills?

I think the Bills will win, I say 24-13.  They can’t take the Raiders lightly, as this is a team that lost 41-13 two weeks ago only to come out
and physically dominate the Chiefs in a place they rarely win.  Look for the defense to have its moments, and for Edwards and Evans to make a few big plays to secure the win.

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As most of you know already, the Buffalo Bills improved to 2-0 with a 20-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  They are now tied for first in the AFC East with the New England Patriots.  Big win for the Bills!  They are now 2-0 against playoff teams from last season also.  So who do I have for my “Unsung Hero”?  Who recieves the gameballs?  How did the Bills do overall in my eyes?  Keep the page scrolling for the answers.

GRADES on Bills

Running Game: D+

The running game started off hot but struggled at times after that.  Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch did not combine for over 100 yards.  The Bills as an entire unit averaged a very weak 2.9 yards a carry.  Lynch did come through with the 11-yard TD run, the only real good run on the game.

Passing Game: A

Can’t really say anything bad about a 20-25 day by Trent Edwards.  The final TD drive showed how quick the young QB matured.  Hit Lee Evans on a 37 yard pass on 3rd and 6 and then calm and cool he throws the go ahead TD to rookie James Hardy.  Everyone got involved in catching the football.

Run Defense: B+

Sure they were a little sluggish in the 2nd half but who wouldn’t be after playing in 90+ degree heat.  Held one of the top running back tandeems in the league in Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor to 66 yards.  A job well done.

Pass Defense: B+

Got some decent pass rush and a very timely sack by Kyle Williams helped the grade too.  No pass in this game went for more than 15 yards.  Corner Terrence McGee also came up with a timely INT before the end of the 1st half.

Special Teams: C-

They got fooled!  An outside kick was converted on one of the best units in the NFL.  After the game, Coach Dick Jauron said that he told his players to watch out for the outside kick because he knew it was coming.  Yikes!  The return game struggled a little too.  They averaged under 20 yards on 4 kickoff returns.  Kick coverage was pretty good though.

Coaching: A+

A well prepared game plan.   Didn’t panic when down either.   If offensive coordinator Turk Schonert continues his great play calling, a statue will go up for him soon.  Same goes for the defense in Coach Perry Farwell.  Sorry Bobby Aprils. no love for you today. 

GAMEBALLS

• Trent Edwards: Of course Trent will win one of the honors this week.  How could he not?  Mr. Cool finished the day 20 for 25 with 239 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs.  Did not play like a second year player in this one.
• Ashton Youboty:  Wow!  Really all I can say about this guy.  I didn’t even think he would make the roster for this season and he stepped up big in this one from the starting nickel corner spot.  He only had 3 tackles but they came up at the right time.  One was to stop Garrard for scrambling for a first, and another was a huge hit on another 3rd down play when they ran a screen.  He also had a sack in the 1st quater.

UNSUNG HERO

Rian Lindell.  What!?  You are going with the Bills kicker?  Now wait a second before you jump down my throat.  He went 2 for 2 on field goals with one of them coming up in the clutch.  It happened with the Bills being up by one, 17-16 when he came into the game.  There was about 30 seconds on the clock, when he booted the 45 yard field goal good to give the Bills a 4 point lead.  Why is this so important you may ask?  Well if he misses that kick, the Jags get the ball back in great field postion only needing a FG for the win.  Something as small as a field goal late in the game is sometimes lost in a game like this, but it’s not forgoten here.  Lindell takes the Unsung Hero adward for Week 2.

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1st Quarter

A hot day in Jacksonville and that is how the Bills started.  They got the ball to start the game and on their first drive the offense was clicking.  First down after first down for the Bills on mostly short passes and runs.  They held onto the ball for 7 minutes and they eventually punched it into the end zone on an 11-yard TD run by Marshawn Lynch.  The extra point by Rian Lindell was good and the Bills jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead.

While the Bills looked strong, the Jaguars offense looked shaky coming out of the gate.  After two runs, the Jags had to face a 3^rd and 7 from their own 28.  Aston Youboty came on a corner blitz and sacked QB David Garrard for a loss of 10.  3 and out for the Jags on their first series.

The Bills then went 3 and out (on 1^st down there was a holding call on Buffalo) on their next series.

With 3:08 left in the 1^st quarter, Jacksonville started to drive down the field.  They got to the Buffalo 16 before time ran out.

End of the 1^st, Buffalo leads 7-0.

2nd Quarter

The Jags started off the quarter right where they ended in the 1^st at the Bills 16.  A short pass, run and incomplete pass followed so Jacksonville had to settle for a 28 yard field goal by kicker Josh Scobee.  Jaguars still down, 7-3.

The Bills then went on another long drive, that tired out Jacksonville’s defense.  The standout play of this drive was a 33 yard catch and run by QB Trent Edwards to RB Fred Jackson on 3^rd and 1.  The drive would stall out at the end, so the Bills settled for a 21-yard FG by Lindell.  Bills add to their lead, it’s now 10-3. 

The rest of the quarter was run a few plays then punt until Garrard started to lead his team down the field on a 2 minute drill.  With 14 seconds left, instead of just taking the chip shot field goal, Jacksonville was going for the touchdown to tie the game.  Garrard dropped back and threw what was suppose to be a fade pattern to WR Mike Walker.  The problem with the throw was that the ball was throw on a line to the front of the endzone instead of a high ball to the back corner.  Bills CB Terrence McGee read the play perfectly and picked it off to end the threat.

Bills would knell the ball and let the clock run out.  They would go into the tunnel at halftime with a 10-3 lead.

3rd Quarter

Jacksonville got the ball to start the 2^nd half and their drive looked very similar to the Bills 1^st drive of the game.  A good mix of run and pass led to a Maurice Jones-Drew 2 yard touchdown run.  Jags tie the game up at 10 after the extra point is knocked through. 

The Jags then pulled a quick one on the Bills.  On the following kickoff they kicked an outside kick that they recovered.  They then took advantage of the good field postion and went on another drive.  It eventually stalled out though so after 6 plays and a little more than 3 minutes off the clock, Scobee put another field goal right through the uprights, this time from 50 yards out.  Jags now have their first lead of the game, 13-3.

Similar to the end of the 1^st, the end of the 3^rd ended with another Jags drive.   The quarter ended with the Jaguars threatening again at the Bills 25, this time with a 13-10 lead

4th Quarter

Again, Jacksonville could not get it into the end zone.  The drive ended with another FG by Scobee from 39 yards.  Jags add some more to their lead, 16-10.

The Bills showed that they were still calm and in control of this game.  They didn’t try to force it down the field.  After the Jags latest field goal they go 7 plays and then punt.

This was the drive that Jacksonville could put the game away with.  Instead they give it right back to the Bills after running just 4 plays, and a little more than 2 minutes off the clock.

Bills get the ball back and drive it down the field.  It was set up by a great punt return by Roscoe Parrish.  The game changing play of this drive and possibly the entire game was on 3^rd and 6 from Jacksonville’s 44 yard line.  Edwards dropped back, stepped up in the pocket to avoid the rush and fired a rocket to Lee Evans for a 37 yard game.  On the very next play the Bills come out in trips, 3 WRs to the right side of the field.  Second round pick James Hardy ran a route to the corner of the end zone.  Edwards rolled out and threw the ball high in the air to where only Hardy could get to it.  He got both feet in for a Bills touchdown.  After the extra point the Bills now lead again, 17-16. 

Jacksonville could do nothing on their next drive.  Two incompletions by Garrard and then DT Kyle Williams broke through the O-line and sacked Garrard for a loss of 10 yards.

The Bills ran close to 3 minutes off the clock, and Lindell put a 45 yard field goal dead center.  Bills now lead 20-16, forcing the Jags to go for the end zone.

The Jags gave it their all but with only 29 seconds left and over 70 yards to go it was highly unlikely.  Garrard did complete a pass to WR Matt Jones but then he latteraled it forwards which ran 10 seconds off the clock and ended the game. 

Bills win 20-16.

The NFL.com Gamecenter: Post Game is attached.

BILLS Wrap Up

Trent Edwards finished the day 20 for 25 with 239 yards and a TD (no INTs)

Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson went for a combined 76 yards on the ground.  Lynch went for 59 and 1 TD on 19 carries while Jackson got 17 yards on 6 attempts.

Lee Evans had another strong game with 4 catches and 77 yards.  Josh Reed also caught 4 balls for 36 yards.  James Hardy caught his first NFL TD on a 7 yard catch.  He also had one other reception in this one, for a total of 12 yards.  RB Fred Jackson led the day for receiving though with 7 catches for 83 yards.  Lynch had one catch for 8 yards.

Kicker Rian Lindell went 2 for 2 today on field goal attempts.

Terrence McGee had another INT for the Bills today, his 2^nd of the year.  He also led the team with 7 tackles.

LB Paul Poz and S Donte Whitner each had 6 tackles.

Williams and Youboty had 1 sack apiece. 

This is the first time the Bills are 2-0 since 2003.

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We are now just a mere 3 days away and counting until the Bills home opener on Sunday afternoon at the Ralph!  As a Bills fan I am PUMPED!!  Finally we get to see the team back in action and see what they can do against some pretty good competition in the Seattle Seahawks.

I broke down the Bills defense a couple days ago so today is time to show a little love to the O!

QB

1.  Trent Edwards

2. J.P. Losman

3. Gibran Hamdan

…The biggest question mark with this group is can they perform?  They all combined for 12 touchdown passes last season which was good for 29^th in the league.  Their combined passing yards of 2,634 was 30^th in the league.  In comparison to how bad this group was take a look at former Bills QB Todd Collins.  Last season the 35 year old (now 36) threw for 888 yards and 5 touchdowns in 4 games!…  Edwards worked hard in the off-season and added much needed muscle to his frame.  It will help him be more durably and keep him in the lineup.  It won’t hurt for his deep balls either.  When drafted he was suppose to be a leader.  The 2^nd year signal caller was voted team captain this season…  Losman is entering his last season as a Buffalo Bill.  His contract is up and he will take his services elsewhere.  A very gifted QB but was never very consistent…  Hamdan is back for another season.  He was on the practice squad last season before being signed to the club due to Edwards last season injury…

GRADE: C

RB

1. Marshawn Lynch

2. Fred Jackson

3. Xavier Omon

…Beast MODE is back!  After leading AFC rookies last season in most of the rushing categories, Lynch is looking to build on the numbers he had last season.  He is already one of the top 10 backs in the league…  Action Jackson is now in his second season of backing up Lynch.  Look for an article on him to come later in the year.  Not many people realize what he has gone through to make it to the league…  Omon, the rookie draft pick beat out Dwayne Wright during the preseason for the final RB spot.  Won’t see much time with the two guys he has in front of him…

GRADE: A-

FB

1. Darian Barnes

…Barnes is a 7 year vet and his big body should pave the way for a great season for Lynch.  The 6′ 2″, 240lb FB loves hitting people.  Look for him to clear the way for a great season running the ball.  Will do much better than those stupid H-backs in the past…

GRADE: C+

WR

1. Lee Evans

2. James Hardy

3. Josh Reed

4. Roscoe Parrish

5. Steve Johnson

6. Justin Jenkins

…Evans continues to be a huge deep threat and is by far the best WR for the Bills.  He worked with Edwards during the off-season so we will have to wait and see if that will pay off.  Evans put up some of the worst numbers of his career last year…  Hardy is the 2^nd round pick from Indiana.  The big target should get some opportunities in the red zone…  Reed is a great possession receiver on the Bills team.  He has reallu improved his catching ability since joining the Bills…  Parrish is the speed man who the Bills want to get the ball to.  His speed can change games.  A 5 yard slant could turn into a touchdown…  Johnson is the rookie wideout from Kentucky.  He was selected in the 7^th round.  He stood out during training camp and the preseason to win a roster spot…  Jenkins was kept for his special teams ability…

GRADE: B+

TE

1. Robert Royal

2. Derek Schouman

3. Derek Fine

…Royal caught 3 touchdown passes last season, and 2 came in one game.  He has had a good preseason though so let’s see if they try to get him more involved in the gameplan…  Schouman has 3 receptions in his career and is currently coming back from injury…  Fine the rookie from Kansas looks to get more reps at special teams this year than tight end.  When he gets healthy look for him to be an impact player on special teams which he was very good in at college…

GRADE: C

LT

1.  Jason Peters (HOLD OUT)

2. Langston Walker

3. Kirk Chambers

4. Matt Murphy

5. Demetrius Bell

…Peters is a bum.  Report to your team.  You’re not only hurting yourself but your teammates also…  Walker switched over from the right side of the line with the absence of Peters.  At 6′8″, 366 lb. he defiantly has the size to do it.  He will need to step up big time though.  Let’s be honest he is no Jason Peters… Chambers is starting at RT after Walker switched over… Murphy is a 7 year vet who is undersized for the LT position.  He should be on special teams duty all year…  Three years ago, Bell wasn’t even playing football.  He was playing basketball.  In college he started 22 games in a row at LT.  He has the size but needs to work on fundaments.  Has raw talent just needs to be groomed.  He was selected in the 7^th round, Pick 219^th overall…

GRADE: C

LG

1. Derrick Dockery

2. Jason Whittle

…Dockery stands at 6′6″ and 330 lbs.  He has to step up his play with Peters gone for the foreseeable future.  This is his 2^nd year with the Bills…  Whittle is a 10 year vet with a lot of experience.  Will help provide depth on the OL…

GRADE: C+

C

1. Melvin Fowler

2. Duke Preston

…Fowler has started all 16 games at center for the past two seasons for the Bills…  Most of Preston’s playing time last year came from special teams…

GRADE: C+

RG

1. Brad Butler

2. Duke Preston

…Butler is a 3 year player that has a huge body.  The 6′ 7″, 315 lb. guard started all 16 games last season…  In case you needed another fact on “Duke”, his real name is Raymond Newton Preston III…

GRADE: C

RT

1. Langston Walker (moved to LT while Peters holds out)

2. Kirk Chambers

…The former 6^th round pick is given the starting role by default.  He has only one start in his NFL career.  It was at left tackle against the Eagles in last year’s season finale.  The outcome?  No sacks allowed and helped Lynch gain 105 yards on the ground…

GRADE: D

Overall the Bills need to be able to run the ball and whatever QB is in needs to play consistent.  Edwards gets the ball out quick and not saying that Peters being gone will hurt the running game but Peters is a much better pass blocker than run blocker.  A true FB will also help out Lynch on the ground game.  The offense also needs to get the ball to the playmakers.  Lynch, Evans and Parrish should all be in the game plan every week to get a lot of touches.  Royal at TE also needs to be more of a receving threat.  He is a good blocker though so that will help out the line too.  The Bills O won’t do much this year numbers wise but if they can hang on to the football and control the clock it should be enough to get by on.    

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Hello Bills fans.  Tonight the Buffalo Bills travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts.  This will be the first game at Lucas Oil stadium.  Trent Edwards has been ruled out for the game as he is still recovering from the thigh contusion suffered on Tuesday night.  Also out for the game are wide receivers James Hardy and Roscoe Parrish.  J.P. Losman will get the start tonight and it will be interesting to see how he plays with the first team offense.  Losman was the Bills starter for the 2006 season and had a successful year.  He started the 2007 season but lost his job to Edwards after an injury.  Losman has shown flashes but needs to get rid of the ball quicker.  The Bills need to establish the run tonight just like they did against the Steelers last week.  The starters will play at least the first half tonight.  This game will also give players on the bubble a chance to shine for the coaches before the first roster cutdown to 75 on August 26.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  With Jason Peters still holding out, the team signed offensive lineman Dustin Dickinson and released receiver Jason Jones.  Dickinson was a rookie free agent that was released by Seattle on June 25.  He will most likely play tackle due to an injury to Matt Murphy.  The team was back in Orchard Park today.  Trent Edwards was not participating due to injury suffered Tuesday night.  James Hardy, Roscoe Parrish, Derek Schouman and John DiGiorgio were also sidelined.  Coach Dick Jauron also stated that the starters will play at least the first half maybe more this coming Sunday against the Colts.  I hope Trent can play but it doesnt seem likely because the season is two weeks away.  I would rather him heal up and be ready to go on September 7.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  A positive sign today was that wide receiver Josh Reed was back at practice after missing the last ten days with a lower back injury.  Reed looked good today in practice and before getting hurt was one of Trent Edwards main targets.  Reed brings veteran leadership to this team and will have a solid year this season. 

There is a rumor going around that the Bills and wide receiver Lee Evans are close to a contract extension.  Evans stated that talks are progressing and hopes to get a deal done before the start of the season.  I think it would be a great move to get Lee signed to a long extension because he is a great talent that is only going to get better with stability at the quarterback position.  Evans had a monster year in 2006 but struggled last season because the team did not have another big play receiver to take the double teams away from him.  Rookie James Hardy could hopefully turn into that #2 receiver and demand attention to opposing defenses.  If Hardy can get going early, Evans will have a monster season. 

On nfl.com’s “This day in the NFL”, August 18, 1986 quarterback Jim Kelly signed a five year eight million deal with the Bills.  In 1986 that was big money.  Kelly was the savior for this franchise.  He is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and was exciting to watch.  He led the team to dominate the AFC in the early 90’s.  The Bills were playoff bound every year and one of the greatest teams in NFL History.  Go Bills.   

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Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills will face the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.  This is the first game out of eight scheduled in the next five years in Toronto.  I wish I was able to watch the game live but will be following it online.  The game also re-airs at midnight on NFL Network.  I hope Coach Dick Jauron lets Trent Edwards and the rest of the starting offense play the entire first quarter.  I want to see Trent attempt more than five passes like he did last week.  Josh Reed and Angelo Crowell will not play tonight.  James Hardy will start at wide receiver and Keith Ellison will start at linebacker for Crowell.  It looks like Donte Whitner will play this week after missing Saturdays game against Washington.  I hope our shortage at tackle doesnt effect some of our key guys playing time.  I dont want to see some of our starting o-line go deep into this one.  Its only the second preseason game so I would rather see our starting units ease into game condition.  Go Bills.   

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