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This article raises some good points....as a team, there is still a lot of work to be done if we are going to improve on our 7-9 season last year:
While positive signs were plenty, there were still way too many signs that the Bills would be a team lacking either the talent or the experience necessary to significantly improve on last year's 7-9 record.
"Disappointing," said Jauron after his team was overmatched in a 28-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the Bills' third preseason game, when things are supposed to start coming together. "We were a little bit sluggish and it could be for a number of reasons. There's a lot of things that we need to fix."
Such as:
--Developing continuity along the offensive line. Newcomers Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker have upgraded the talent level. However, an ankle injury to Melvin Fowler forced him to the sideline and interrupted competition for the starting right guard spot between Duke Preston (who had to play center) and Jason Whittle. Whatever five players open the season against Denver on Sept. 9 will not have played much together.
--Developing a pass-catching tight end. It was labeled a priority need by general manager Marv Levy but through three preseason games, Robert Royal and Kevin Everett had two catches for two yards between them.
--Breaking in rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. Part of this relates to the line problems, but Lynch had just 28 yards on 16 carries (1.75 average) through three preseason games. That's not going to make anyone forget Willis McGahee.
--Stop the run on defense. The Bills allowed 141 yards per game a year ago and will have two new starting linebackers, Coy Wire (until Keith Ellison returns from a sprained ankle) and either rookie Paul Posluszny or second-year man John DiGiorgio. That Posluszny, the team's ballyhooed second-round pick from Penn State, hadn't won the job outright yet was disconcerting. The Titans averaged 4.4 yards per carry against the Bills, who were sloppy with their tackling.(edit: Poz was named the starter yesterday.)
--Find a replacement for Nate Clements. It remains veteran free agent Jason Webster, but Buffalo's secondary is definitely struggling and there could be plenty of juggling here as the season progresses. Terrence McGee has already been shifted from the left to the right side to take on opponent's better split ends.
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Thoughts?
While positive signs were plenty, there were still way too many signs that the Bills would be a team lacking either the talent or the experience necessary to significantly improve on last year's 7-9 record.
"Disappointing," said Jauron after his team was overmatched in a 28-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the Bills' third preseason game, when things are supposed to start coming together. "We were a little bit sluggish and it could be for a number of reasons. There's a lot of things that we need to fix."
Such as:
--Developing continuity along the offensive line. Newcomers Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker have upgraded the talent level. However, an ankle injury to Melvin Fowler forced him to the sideline and interrupted competition for the starting right guard spot between Duke Preston (who had to play center) and Jason Whittle. Whatever five players open the season against Denver on Sept. 9 will not have played much together.
--Developing a pass-catching tight end. It was labeled a priority need by general manager Marv Levy but through three preseason games, Robert Royal and Kevin Everett had two catches for two yards between them.
--Breaking in rookie running back Marshawn Lynch. Part of this relates to the line problems, but Lynch had just 28 yards on 16 carries (1.75 average) through three preseason games. That's not going to make anyone forget Willis McGahee.
--Stop the run on defense. The Bills allowed 141 yards per game a year ago and will have two new starting linebackers, Coy Wire (until Keith Ellison returns from a sprained ankle) and either rookie Paul Posluszny or second-year man John DiGiorgio. That Posluszny, the team's ballyhooed second-round pick from Penn State, hadn't won the job outright yet was disconcerting. The Titans averaged 4.4 yards per carry against the Bills, who were sloppy with their tackling.(edit: Poz was named the starter yesterday.)
--Find a replacement for Nate Clements. It remains veteran free agent Jason Webster, but Buffalo's secondary is definitely struggling and there could be plenty of juggling here as the season progresses. Terrence McGee has already been shifted from the left to the right side to take on opponent's better split ends.
Thoughts?
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