Don't Panic
09-04-2007, 10:38 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/09/breaking_down_buffalos_roster.html
Where Buffalo's defense will finish ...
Floor: 32nd. Yes, folks, the 'D' for the Bills really has the potential to be dead last in the league this year. If the tackles get bullied, as expected, the 'backers will be rendered ineffective, and the corners are likely to be targeted at will once teams establish the ground game. The Bills have to face AFC East running backs Laurence Maroney, Thomas Jones and Ronnie Brown a total of six times, not to mention non-divisional games against elite ballcarriers like Travis Henry, Rudi Johnson, Willie Parker, Maurice Jones-Drew and Brian Westbrook, among others. Buffalo's pass defense is forced to square off against Tom Brady and Chad Pennington a combined four times, plus Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Donovan McNabb (http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/09/breaking_down_buffalos_roster.html#), etcetera.
Ceiling: top 15. Even if everything goes correctly, Buffalo's defense is simply too young and too untalented to challenge for a spot in the top 10. The run-stuffing ability isn't there, and neither is the wherewithal to shut down the pass. At least the team can take solace in having Schobel, Kelsay, Crowell, Posluszny, Whitner and Simpson locked up for the future. They're all terrific building blocks; the hope is that McCargo and Williams will join that class beginning this year.
Prediction: 30th. For the reasons listed above, the defense of the Bills is not going to be a strong unit. There will be a drop-off without Clements, and trading away two-time Pro Bowl LB Takeo Spikes for basically nothing in return might end up as an error. He came on toward the end of last year, totaling 11 tackles in the season finale.
That's quite a range... and some cold (although mostly accurate) analysis. Let's hope the offense is putting up 28+ a game. Either way, I'm ready for Sunday. Good to be back in season again.
Where Buffalo's defense will finish ...
Floor: 32nd. Yes, folks, the 'D' for the Bills really has the potential to be dead last in the league this year. If the tackles get bullied, as expected, the 'backers will be rendered ineffective, and the corners are likely to be targeted at will once teams establish the ground game. The Bills have to face AFC East running backs Laurence Maroney, Thomas Jones and Ronnie Brown a total of six times, not to mention non-divisional games against elite ballcarriers like Travis Henry, Rudi Johnson, Willie Parker, Maurice Jones-Drew and Brian Westbrook, among others. Buffalo's pass defense is forced to square off against Tom Brady and Chad Pennington a combined four times, plus Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Donovan McNabb (http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/09/breaking_down_buffalos_roster.html#), etcetera.
Ceiling: top 15. Even if everything goes correctly, Buffalo's defense is simply too young and too untalented to challenge for a spot in the top 10. The run-stuffing ability isn't there, and neither is the wherewithal to shut down the pass. At least the team can take solace in having Schobel, Kelsay, Crowell, Posluszny, Whitner and Simpson locked up for the future. They're all terrific building blocks; the hope is that McCargo and Williams will join that class beginning this year.
Prediction: 30th. For the reasons listed above, the defense of the Bills is not going to be a strong unit. There will be a drop-off without Clements, and trading away two-time Pro Bowl LB Takeo Spikes for basically nothing in return might end up as an error. He came on toward the end of last year, totaling 11 tackles in the season finale.
That's quite a range... and some cold (although mostly accurate) analysis. Let's hope the offense is putting up 28+ a game. Either way, I'm ready for Sunday. Good to be back in season again.