2007 Buffalo Bills Picks & Predictions
May 21, 2008
The Super Bowl-caliber Bills teams have long been in the archive folder and with this season being a continuation of last year’s rebuilding project, we can once again count the Bills out of playoff contention. Still, Dave Price weighs in on the future of this franchise in his 2007 Buffalo Bills predictions.
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The Bills’ transition to youth continued in the offseason, as they said goodbye to vets like cornerback Nate Clements, linebacker London Fletcher, and running back Willis McGahee, among others. These players appeared to still have some life left, but management was looking to start from scratch.
Head coach Dick Jauron proved in his first season in Buffalo that he is adept at relating to the young unit of self-motivated, high-caliber, high-character players that General Manager Marv Levy has brought in. In 2006, the Bills started five rookies by season’s end, including both safeties. Jauron also directed the Bills into playoff contention, way beyond even the managements’ expectations, with a solid second half of the season, turning around a 2-5 start into a 7-9 finish. Luckily, this season will still be viewed as a rebuilding year by Levy and company so don’t expect any axing in the offseason after a sub par finish. Plain and simple, what this team needs most is playmakers on both sides of the football if they are going to try to compete in the East.
The Bills like to use a more traditional attack that leans toward a power running identity with the use of frequent double tight end sets. Much of this approach has been set in place because of a lack of explosive personnel and a consistent passing attack. Though running back Willis McGahee and full back Daimon Shelton have departed, the additions of bulky free agent offensive linemen Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker and rookie running back’s Marshawn Lynch and Dwayne Wright are expected to help the Bills better achieve that offensive identity. Honestly, any back in the NFL is going to gain yards running behind these two horses. That being said, as offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild’s confidence in quarterback J.P. Losman grows, it won’t be surprising to see the passing game take more shots downfield — a direction this team desperately needs to take offensively. After finishing 30th in total offense last season, there is lots of room for improvement. Lots!
Defensively the Bills play their own version of the famous Tampa-2. They have sought out quick, undersized linemen and speedy linebackers. Coordinator Perry Fewell, who spent a year in Chicago before coming to the Bills last season, is a disciple of Lovie Smith — not bad company these days. Because of the attack mentality he picked up on in Chicago, his defensive backs will need to be skilled in single coverage. The scheme is relatively simple and easy to learn, which allows young players to step in and contribute right away. That helps explain why the Bills didn’t miss a beat with four rookie starters on defense for much of last season. If he can get these young guns flying around the field like the Bears, this team can make a major turnaround ahead of schedule.
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