CuseJetsFan83
07-23-2006, 01:44 PM
http://www.nfl.com/teams/primer/BUF (http://www.nfl.com/teams/primer/BUF)
(not sure if this was posted... if so let me know)
Just about everything the Bills tried in 2005 didn't work, so the plan for 2006 is obviously to change. The strategy appears to be a sound one. This offseason, the Bills brought in former coach Marv Levy to restructure the front office, former Bears coach Dick Jauron as head coach, and several players to match some new schemes. The challenge is now for everyone to build a cohesive team in Year 1.
In 2005, the Bills handed the keys to second-year quarterback J.P. Losman, and the results were decidedly mixed. Losman struggled, and gave way to Kelly Holcomb, who fared almost as poorly. For 2006, the Bills have added former Green Bay backup Craig Nall to the mix. Whoever lines up under center will need lots of help -- which the Bills have tried to provide. New wide receivers Peerless Price and Andre' Davis will try to replace Eric Moulds, who is now in Houston. The additions of Melvin Fowler, Matt Morgan, Tutan Reyes and Aaron Gibson along the offensive line figure to help.
It's a new scheme on defense, where Buffalo struggled mightily last year -- particularly against the run. The Bills will employ a Tampa Cover Two scheme, and with that in mind, they've brought in several quick, athletic players. Lawyer Milloy has departed at safety, but the Bills got help in the draft with Donte Whitner. The team also revamped its interior front, signing the Colts' Larry Tripplett and drafting John McCargo in the first round. A healthy return of Takeo Spikes would help out greatly.
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="bg0"> <td class="bg0font">CAMP QUANDARIES</td></tr> <tr class="bg2" valign="top"> <td> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="115"><tbody><tr><td width="100">http://images.nfl.com/images/2006/BUFmcgahee.jpg</td><td width="15"> </td></tr><tr><td width="100">Willis McGahee</td><td width="15"> </td></tr></tbody></table> Who will win the quarterback derby?
It's wide open right now. If past performance means anything, Holcomb will get the nod. His quarterback rating last year was 85.6, which was miles better than Losman's, and he has thrown for over 5,000 yards and 37 touchdowns in his career. The team has a great deal invested in Losman, and he did show positive flashes last season. He'll have to improve his consistency, which means improving his completion percentage (49.6 in '05). Nall has been productive in his limited appearances with Green Bay, but it's anyone's guess as to how he would perform as the No. 1 guy. It would not be surprising if all three got game action this season.
Will Willis McGahee get any help on offense?
It may be unrealistic to expect greater production out of the quarterbacks with so much uncertainty at the position, and time will certainly tell whether Price and Davis can equal Moulds' contributions -- let alone surpass them. So it may come down to the offensive line. Fortunately for McGahee, the line looks to be improved. In addition to the linemen the Bills brought in, Buffalo also parted ways with former first-round pick Mike Williams, who had become a hindrance. If the unit can come together quickly, McGahee will have more of a fighting chance in '06.
Can the new players on defense jell?
Buffalo's best chances for success in 2006 hinge on whether the team fields a strong defense. That may be a tall order given last year's results, but the Bills definitely have the athletes. Their top two draft picks, Whitner and McCargo, are quick, explosive players who know how to disrupt plays. Tripplett brings great experience as a penetrating defensive tackle from Indianapolis. And most of the holdovers (such as Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Terrence McGee) look like a good fit for the new scheme. Turnovers and big plays shouldn't be a problem. Stopping the run might be. </td></tr></tbody></table>
(not sure if this was posted... if so let me know)
Just about everything the Bills tried in 2005 didn't work, so the plan for 2006 is obviously to change. The strategy appears to be a sound one. This offseason, the Bills brought in former coach Marv Levy to restructure the front office, former Bears coach Dick Jauron as head coach, and several players to match some new schemes. The challenge is now for everyone to build a cohesive team in Year 1.
In 2005, the Bills handed the keys to second-year quarterback J.P. Losman, and the results were decidedly mixed. Losman struggled, and gave way to Kelly Holcomb, who fared almost as poorly. For 2006, the Bills have added former Green Bay backup Craig Nall to the mix. Whoever lines up under center will need lots of help -- which the Bills have tried to provide. New wide receivers Peerless Price and Andre' Davis will try to replace Eric Moulds, who is now in Houston. The additions of Melvin Fowler, Matt Morgan, Tutan Reyes and Aaron Gibson along the offensive line figure to help.
It's a new scheme on defense, where Buffalo struggled mightily last year -- particularly against the run. The Bills will employ a Tampa Cover Two scheme, and with that in mind, they've brought in several quick, athletic players. Lawyer Milloy has departed at safety, but the Bills got help in the draft with Donte Whitner. The team also revamped its interior front, signing the Colts' Larry Tripplett and drafting John McCargo in the first round. A healthy return of Takeo Spikes would help out greatly.
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="bg0"> <td class="bg0font">CAMP QUANDARIES</td></tr> <tr class="bg2" valign="top"> <td> <table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="115"><tbody><tr><td width="100">http://images.nfl.com/images/2006/BUFmcgahee.jpg</td><td width="15"> </td></tr><tr><td width="100">Willis McGahee</td><td width="15"> </td></tr></tbody></table> Who will win the quarterback derby?
It's wide open right now. If past performance means anything, Holcomb will get the nod. His quarterback rating last year was 85.6, which was miles better than Losman's, and he has thrown for over 5,000 yards and 37 touchdowns in his career. The team has a great deal invested in Losman, and he did show positive flashes last season. He'll have to improve his consistency, which means improving his completion percentage (49.6 in '05). Nall has been productive in his limited appearances with Green Bay, but it's anyone's guess as to how he would perform as the No. 1 guy. It would not be surprising if all three got game action this season.
Will Willis McGahee get any help on offense?
It may be unrealistic to expect greater production out of the quarterbacks with so much uncertainty at the position, and time will certainly tell whether Price and Davis can equal Moulds' contributions -- let alone surpass them. So it may come down to the offensive line. Fortunately for McGahee, the line looks to be improved. In addition to the linemen the Bills brought in, Buffalo also parted ways with former first-round pick Mike Williams, who had become a hindrance. If the unit can come together quickly, McGahee will have more of a fighting chance in '06.
Can the new players on defense jell?
Buffalo's best chances for success in 2006 hinge on whether the team fields a strong defense. That may be a tall order given last year's results, but the Bills definitely have the athletes. Their top two draft picks, Whitner and McCargo, are quick, explosive players who know how to disrupt plays. Tripplett brings great experience as a penetrating defensive tackle from Indianapolis. And most of the holdovers (such as Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Terrence McGee) look like a good fit for the new scheme. Turnovers and big plays shouldn't be a problem. Stopping the run might be. </td></tr></tbody></table>