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Are Bills NFL's Sleeper Team in 2007?
Although the Bills aren't getting a lot of love from the national media heading into Dick Jauron's second training camp, I think there is legitimate reason to think this will be a .500 season or even better, even with one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.
First the obvious; J.P. Losman is beginning to look like the real deal, both on and off the field, and quarterback is what it's all about in the NFL.
Defensive coaches look for ways to pressure them as much as possible, and hurt them if they can.
Offensive coaches look for ways to protect their qb's, first and foremost, because they all know if their guy gets knocked around a lot, he'll make mistakes, and eventually get knocked out of a game or even a season.
Dick Jauron, and by extension gm Marv Levy, seems to grasp that concept much better than Mike Mularkey or Gregg Williams before him.
Throw Ralph Wilson in there too, because he's the one who had to write the check to sign free agent left guard Derrick Dockery to the 7-year, $49 million dollar that included a $13 million signing bonus.
While Dockery's signing was an eye-opener in terms of the money, virtually all football people think he will instantly upgrade an inconsistant offensive line.
Right tackle Langston Walker was another $25 million over five years, and while he isn't regarded the "sure thing" Dockery is, he'll be an upgrade at the very least.
The hidden gem in the whole deal is left tackle Jason Peters, now signed long term and clearly a player who will be coveted by others -- if not already -- very soon.
It's no coincidence Losman's second half of last season was such an eye opener, because it's about that time the Bills moved Peters to the left side, where J.P. had been getting killed.
At least we did learn that Losman can not only take a hit, but take hit after hit and seldom show he felt a thing. He took every snap last season, which is really a remarkable feat considering how much punishment he took.
Top quarterbacks always share the common trait of toughness, and even though J.P. does things that make you scratch your head at times, he is one tough customer.
Don't think his teammates havn't noticed.
Lo and behold, it turns out Losman is pretty solid when he actually has a little time to throw, and throw he will this coming season.....
First the obvious; J.P. Losman is beginning to look like the real deal, both on and off the field, and quarterback is what it's all about in the NFL.
Defensive coaches look for ways to pressure them as much as possible, and hurt them if they can.
Offensive coaches look for ways to protect their qb's, first and foremost, because they all know if their guy gets knocked around a lot, he'll make mistakes, and eventually get knocked out of a game or even a season.
Dick Jauron, and by extension gm Marv Levy, seems to grasp that concept much better than Mike Mularkey or Gregg Williams before him.
Throw Ralph Wilson in there too, because he's the one who had to write the check to sign free agent left guard Derrick Dockery to the 7-year, $49 million dollar that included a $13 million signing bonus.
While Dockery's signing was an eye-opener in terms of the money, virtually all football people think he will instantly upgrade an inconsistant offensive line.
Right tackle Langston Walker was another $25 million over five years, and while he isn't regarded the "sure thing" Dockery is, he'll be an upgrade at the very least.
The hidden gem in the whole deal is left tackle Jason Peters, now signed long term and clearly a player who will be coveted by others -- if not already -- very soon.
It's no coincidence Losman's second half of last season was such an eye opener, because it's about that time the Bills moved Peters to the left side, where J.P. had been getting killed.
At least we did learn that Losman can not only take a hit, but take hit after hit and seldom show he felt a thing. He took every snap last season, which is really a remarkable feat considering how much punishment he took.
Top quarterbacks always share the common trait of toughness, and even though J.P. does things that make you scratch your head at times, he is one tough customer.
Don't think his teammates havn't noticed.
Lo and behold, it turns out Losman is pretty solid when he actually has a little time to throw, and throw he will this coming season.....
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