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Fox Sports: AFC Predictions
2. Buffalo Bills
Head coach: Dick Jauron, 3rd year with Bills, 2nd as head coach
2006 record: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East)
Schein's projected record 8-8
J.P. Losman is primed for a breakout year. Lee Evans is headed to the Pro Bowl. Rookie running back Marshawn Lynch has drawn rave reviews for his strength, speed, and fit in Steve Fairchild's offense. Dick Jauron doesn't get enough credit for his great defensive schemes. That will help make up for the losses of Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. Paul Pozluszny will start and can win defensive rookie of the year.
After parting ways with 11 veterans that had more than 770 NFL starts, the Bills knew they'd experience plenty of growing pains during training camp.
Breaking in two new offensive linemen, a rookie running back, two new linebackers and a new corner meant plenty of work for second-year coach Dick Jauron and his staff.
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, Keith Ellison 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.
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.
Offensively, quarterback J.P. Losman got on track after a slow summer by hooking up with Lee Evans for a 64-yard touchdown against Tennessee and he also found Peerless Price for 21- and 56-yard hookups. That showed that Price can be the explosive complement to Evans that is sorely needed.
Defensively, second-year tackle John McCargo has played well, easing the concern over failing to add veteran Darwin Walker in a trade gone sour with Philadelphia. Strong safety Donte Whitner, the team's first-round pick a year ago, has the look of a Pro Bowler, meanwhile, and the kicking game remains solid.
Mostly, camp was full of too many off-field distractions for Jauron's comfort; defensive end Anthony Hargrove was involved in an altercation with police then got busted for failing the NFL's substance-abuse testing. That compounded an injury to Ryan Denney (broken foot). Meanwhile, Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel was handed a monstrous contract extension last week, something that didn't need to happen until next offseason.
While it may have shown that management takes care of its players, many are wondering why Clements — maybe the team's best defender — wasn't taken care of long before he became a free agent.
Despite the changes, Whitner said there is an energy building on the Bills — who are 46-66 and riding a seven-year playoff skid since 1999 — because so many young players are starting and coming into the organization together.
"That's what builds an organization," he said. "We have a two- or three-year plan to reach that ultimate game, the Super Bowl. But we can win in '07. We're not going to have any growing pains."
COACHING: Dick Jauron, 23rd year, 3rd with Bills, 2nd as head coach (7-9).
REMEMBERING: 7-9 (3rd in AFC East).
PREDICTING: 8-8; will miss playoffs for eighth consecutive season
~The Answer
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