YardRat
06-12-2007, 05:47 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2007-06-12-offseason-report_N.htm
Quarterback: J.P. Losman (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2780) will need to build on last season, when he finally showed why Buffalo traded up to take him in the first round in 2004. He hit 62.5% of his passes in 2006 compared to 49.6% the year before and took much better care of the ball. He can't afford to revert to being an overly aggressive gunslinger.
Running back: While Willis McGahee (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2265) was largely disappointing, trading him left a void. First-rounder Marshawn Lynch (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4186) and fourth-rounder Dwayne Wright (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4252) will be pushed to grow up in a hurry. There are questions about Lynch's ability to carry a full load. He may not have to if Wright, a bruising inside runner, develops into a solid complementary back.
Wide receiver: Lee Evans (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=26) lacks one thing: wingmen good enough to take heat off of him. But Evans is about as good as it gets at his position and brings great character to a locker room in need of leadership. The coaching staff will try to help Evans using four- and five-receiver sets. The opportunity is there for Peerless Price (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2173), Roscoe Parrish (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3197) and Josh Reed (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2272) to step up.
Tight end: Robert Royal (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=164) produced career-highs with 23 receptions for 233 yards. More is needed, and the six-year veteran is not likely to provide it.
Offensive line: If there is a good place to invest in free agents, this is it, and that is exactly what Buffalo did. Left guard Derrick Dockery (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=177) was given the largest contract in franchise history, a seven-year, $49 million deal with $18 million guaranteed. Right tackle Langston Walker (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=776) and Jason Whittle (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=312) are two other significant signings who join left tackle Jason Peters (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3061), a rising star.
Defensive line: So much depends on whether tackle John McCargo (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3689) can recover from foot surgery. This is the same foot that forced him to miss time at N.C. State, so alarms are sounding. If McCargo is healthy, he can make a difference for a poor run defense. End Aaron Schobel (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2297) enjoyed his first Pro Bowl. It won't be his last.
Linebacker: With London Fletcher (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2302) signing in Washington and Takeo Spikes (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2305) dealt to Philadelphia, much will be asked of rookie Paul Posluszny (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4175). His standing as the all-time leading tackler at Penn State — Linebacker U — suggests he'll deliver in time. He'll be flanked by promising Angelo Crowell (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2277) and Keith Ellison (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3979).
Secondary: Offenses will be relentless in attacking this suspect unit after Nate Clements (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2298) left for San Francisco. Terrence McGee (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2307) is ordinary at one cornerback. Veteran Jason Webster (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=427) was added, but he hasn't been able to remain healthy in recent years. Ashton Youboty (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3665), a third-round pick last year, needs to turn potential into production and could push Webster and Kiwaukee Thomas (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1413). The second-year safety tandem of Donte Whitner (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3691) and Ko Simpson (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3737) could be exceptional.
Special teams: Kicker Rian Lindell (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2299) comes off a near-perfect effort in which he nailed 23 of 25 field goals. His 92% success rate represented the most accurate season in team history. Punter Brian Moorman (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2295), whose 39.2 net average was second in the NFL, is seeking a third consecutive Pro Bowl berth. McGee and Parrish are dangerous kick returners.
Coaching staff: Dick Jauron still has much to prove. While he finished 35-45 in five seasons in Chicago, his tenure was highlighted by a 13-3 mark in 2001 that brought him Coach of the Year honors. It remains to be seen how a young roster will respond to his relatively easygoing approach.
Outlook: Given the substantial offseason gains made by the division rival New England Patriots and New York Jets, it is hard to imagine Buffalo improving on last year's 7-9 ledger.
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Quarterback: J.P. Losman (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2780) will need to build on last season, when he finally showed why Buffalo traded up to take him in the first round in 2004. He hit 62.5% of his passes in 2006 compared to 49.6% the year before and took much better care of the ball. He can't afford to revert to being an overly aggressive gunslinger.
Running back: While Willis McGahee (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2265) was largely disappointing, trading him left a void. First-rounder Marshawn Lynch (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4186) and fourth-rounder Dwayne Wright (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4252) will be pushed to grow up in a hurry. There are questions about Lynch's ability to carry a full load. He may not have to if Wright, a bruising inside runner, develops into a solid complementary back.
Wide receiver: Lee Evans (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=26) lacks one thing: wingmen good enough to take heat off of him. But Evans is about as good as it gets at his position and brings great character to a locker room in need of leadership. The coaching staff will try to help Evans using four- and five-receiver sets. The opportunity is there for Peerless Price (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2173), Roscoe Parrish (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3197) and Josh Reed (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2272) to step up.
Tight end: Robert Royal (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=164) produced career-highs with 23 receptions for 233 yards. More is needed, and the six-year veteran is not likely to provide it.
Offensive line: If there is a good place to invest in free agents, this is it, and that is exactly what Buffalo did. Left guard Derrick Dockery (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=177) was given the largest contract in franchise history, a seven-year, $49 million deal with $18 million guaranteed. Right tackle Langston Walker (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=776) and Jason Whittle (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=312) are two other significant signings who join left tackle Jason Peters (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3061), a rising star.
Defensive line: So much depends on whether tackle John McCargo (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3689) can recover from foot surgery. This is the same foot that forced him to miss time at N.C. State, so alarms are sounding. If McCargo is healthy, he can make a difference for a poor run defense. End Aaron Schobel (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2297) enjoyed his first Pro Bowl. It won't be his last.
Linebacker: With London Fletcher (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2302) signing in Washington and Takeo Spikes (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2305) dealt to Philadelphia, much will be asked of rookie Paul Posluszny (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=4175). His standing as the all-time leading tackler at Penn State — Linebacker U — suggests he'll deliver in time. He'll be flanked by promising Angelo Crowell (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2277) and Keith Ellison (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3979).
Secondary: Offenses will be relentless in attacking this suspect unit after Nate Clements (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2298) left for San Francisco. Terrence McGee (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2307) is ordinary at one cornerback. Veteran Jason Webster (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=427) was added, but he hasn't been able to remain healthy in recent years. Ashton Youboty (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3665), a third-round pick last year, needs to turn potential into production and could push Webster and Kiwaukee Thomas (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1413). The second-year safety tandem of Donte Whitner (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3691) and Ko Simpson (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3737) could be exceptional.
Special teams: Kicker Rian Lindell (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2299) comes off a near-perfect effort in which he nailed 23 of 25 field goals. His 92% success rate represented the most accurate season in team history. Punter Brian Moorman (http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2295), whose 39.2 net average was second in the NFL, is seeking a third consecutive Pro Bowl berth. McGee and Parrish are dangerous kick returners.
Coaching staff: Dick Jauron still has much to prove. While he finished 35-45 in five seasons in Chicago, his tenure was highlighted by a 13-3 mark in 2001 that brought him Coach of the Year honors. It remains to be seen how a young roster will respond to his relatively easygoing approach.
Outlook: Given the substantial offseason gains made by the division rival New England Patriots and New York Jets, it is hard to imagine Buffalo improving on last year's 7-9 ledger.
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