AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS OFFENSE
STATE OF THE TEAM
DEPTH CHART QB
After finishing the 2006 season on a strong note and narrowly missing the playoffs, there was hope in Buffalo that the Bills could carry that momentum into 2007. However, after a rash of early devastating injuries, including Kevin Everett who was temporarily paralyzed, and a switch to a rookie quarterback, the Bills finished with the same record (7-9) as in ‘06. Head Coach Dick Jauron enters his 3rd season in Buffalo with 2nd year Quarterback, Trent Edwards, leading the team. Edwards filled in for an injured JP Losman for four games and then took over the job full time later in the season. The young signal caller is still learning the ropes but looks like a quality starter in the league. After the season, GM Marv Levy stepped down.VP of College Scouting Tom Modrak and VP of Pro Personnel John Guy will handle the duties for this upcoming off-season. After a sub-par season on offense in which the team scored only 20 touchdowns, Offensive Coordinator Steve Fairchild left to become the coach at Colorado State. Turk Schonert, who was the Bills’ QB coach in 2007, takes over a unit that has finished 30th in overall offense the last two years. He will rely heavily on last year’s 1st round pick, Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for over 1,100 yards despite missing 3 games. Former Bills’ QB Alex Van Pelt has been named QB Coach. Also, the Bills lost Offensive Line Coach Jim McNally to retirement. Sean Kugler was promoted to OL Coach and former NFL player, Ray Brown, was hired as his assistant. On the defensive side of the ball, Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell kept his group together despite many early season injuries. LB Paul Posluszny, FS Ko Simpson, CB Jason Webster, and LB Coy Wire were all lost for the season early on. Less experienced players were forced into action, which led to a next to last ranking in total yards given up and only 26 total sacks. Contributing to speculation that the Bills may eventually move to Toronto, the NFL agreed to let them play one regular season game in 2008 there. However, the Bills’ lease in Buffalo runs to 2012. The Bills have 11 unrestricted and 3 restricted free agents.
Trent Edwards JP Losman Gibran Hamdan
RB
Marshawn Lynch Anthony Thomas Fred Jackson Dwayne Wright Shaud Williams
FB
Derek Schouman Ryan Neufeld Unrestricted FA Darian Barnes
WR
Lee Evans Roscoe Parrish Sam Aiken Unrestricted FA
WR
Josh Reed Justin Jenkins Scott Mayle
TE
Robert Royal Michael Gaines Unrestricted FA
Marshawn Lynch California 1st Round, 2007
Tim Massaquoi
2007 OFFENSE Rushing Yards Per Game Rushing Average Yards Per Carry
STATS
NFL RANK
112.5
15th
4.0
15th Tie
Duke Preston
2
Aaron Merz
C
Melvin Fowler Christian Gaddis
Passing Yards Per Game
164.6
30th
Pass Efficiency Rating
73.8
23rd
Scoring PPG
15.8
30th
Total Yards Per Game
RG
277.1
Brad Butler Jason Whittle Unrestricted FA Nevin McCaskill
RT 30th
1
Derrick Dockery
Jason Peters Kirk Chambers
LG
NEEDS ANALYSIS Wide Receiver Lee Evans provides a solid depth threat and is capable of stretching a defense. However, the Bills lack the underneath receivers to fully take advantage of this opportunity. Josh Reed is a fine possession receiver but lacks run-after-the catch ability. Roscoe Parrish began to emerge as a playmaking receiver last year, but he does not have the frame to withstand the punishment of being an every down player.
Teyo Johnson
LT
Team Analysis
Langston Walker Patrick Estes
Defensive Tackle The trio of Larry Tripplett, Kyle Williams, and John McCargo form an unexceptional starting rotation. Based on his production, Tripplett is overpaid. McCargo was overdrafted and may never be anything more that a rotational player. Williams may be the best of the bunch as he is a hard working, effort player, who occasionally gets overpowered at the point of attack. Reserve Jason Jefferson is a free agent. Buffalo needs a penetrating, impact player on the interior DL.
3
Tight End Kevin Everett’s spinal cord injury in the season opener sent shockwaves throughout the league and was a devastating emotional blow to the team. Thankfully, Everett has made an amazing recovery. The team will now attempt to fill the void of his absence as a receiving threat. Robert Royal has always been a solid blocker and hauled in a career high 25 balls last year, but he lacks speed and is not a threat with the ball in his hands. Michael Gaines is a free agent. SUREFIRE SCOUTING
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2/26/08 8:06:53 PM