ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

[The Answer]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3391828

4. Buffalo Bills

Dick Jauron showed progress last season, even though it was the second of back-to-back 7-9 seasons. The Bills won seven in 2006 with an easy schedule, a .438 laugher. They went 7-9 last year with a .516 schedule and finished with a rookie quarterback, Trent Edwards. On paper, 2008 offers a relatively easy .449 schedule, although the Jets and Dolphins should have better records, which could push the strength of schedule closer to .470 or .480.



Regardless, the Bills are ready to show whether they are a playoff team. Edwards finally has a big passing target, second-round pick James Hardy. The starting offensive line comes back together for a second season, and Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson and Kawika Mitchell should improve a defense that allowed 22.1 points a game last year, a field goal worse than 2006.

~The Answer

[RockStar36]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

That's what I'm hoping for

[Mitchy moo]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

One might think this to be correct.

[justasportsfan]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I hate it when ESPN hypes us up. Remember when they hyped up Saban and the fins? They sucked.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I don't expect a rookie WR to come in and light things up. The Bills will need time to gel as a team. Step back in 2008, Playoffs in 2009.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I hate it when ESPN hypes us up.

It's only positive if it convinces the other team that they should fear us, which up until this point I will safely say means little.

[The Answer]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I don't expect a rookie WR to come in and light things up. The Bills will need time to gel as a team. Step back in 2008, Playoffs in 2009.

Agreed - what is going to determine how big of a step this team takes in 2008 towards the playoffs is:

- Trent improving and staying healthy the whole season
- Defense improving and creating more turnovers, stopping the run, etc
- ST returning to form of a few years ago
- Lynch staying healthy and making strides in his 2nd year
- Numerous injuries to the Patriots and hopefully banning Bellichek for from the league.

~The Answer

[justasportsfan]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

It's only positive if it convinces the other team that they should fear us, .

It's ESPN. Who believes then these days?

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I hate it when ESPN hypes us up. Remember when they hyped up Saban and the fins? They sucked.

So when they trash us, you hate them. When you praise us, you hate them. When they don't talk about us, they're being big market biased and you hate them too.

Did I get this right?

[mysticsoto]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I don't expect a rookie WR to come in and light things up. The Bills will need time to gel as a team. Step back in 2008, Playoffs in 2009.

He doesn't have to light things up. Just play better than Reed, Parrish or Jenkins did at #2 last year - shouldn't be hard at all!

According to Chris Brown, Hardy is likely to start quickly for the Bills:

What are the chances of Hardy breaking into the lineup as a starter this year? Will he play more of a specialty role?
John H.

CB: I think the chances are very good that he starts opposite Lee Evans on the outside. The veteran incumbent (Peerless Price) is no longer on the roster and Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish are primarily inside players. Justin Jenkins is more of a slot receiver too. As for the impact he'll make, I think at the least he'll be an instant red zone touchdown weapon and hopefully grow and progress with the rest of his game between the 20's through his rookie season.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?NEWS_ID=6069

[justasportsfan]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

He doesn't have to light things up. Just play better than Reed, Parrish or Jenkins did at #2 last year - shouldn't be hard at all!

According to Chris Brown, Hardy is likely to start quickly for the Bills:

What are the chances of Hardy breaking into the lineup as a starter this year? Will he play more of a specialty role?
John H.

CB: I think the chances are very good that he starts opposite Lee Evans on the outside. The veteran incumbent (Peerless Price) is no longer on the roster and Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish are primarily inside players. Justin Jenkins is more of a slot receiver too. As for the impact he'll make, I think at the least he'll be an instant red zone touchdown weapon and hopefully grow and progress with the rest of his game between the 20's through his rookie season.



http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?NEWS_ID=6069

Dick always says (take it w/ a grain of salt) everyone is going to have to earn their job at camp. It's not going to be handed to them.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

Dick always says (take it w/ a grain of salt) everyone is going to have to earn their job at camp. It's not going to be handed to them.

Unless your name is J...oh nevermind.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

It's ESPN. Who believes then these days?

The ideal situation is to gain respect without alot of attention. So basically we get mediocre write ups and the other teams are suprised by how good we are on gameday. That is usually good for a few weeks at the beginning of the year anyways and then the other teams start to pick your weaknesses / strengths apart.

[justasportsfan]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

Unless your name is J...oh nevermind.

should be a very interesting camp in that position

IMO, Dick told JP you can still win the job back if you clearly outperform Trent which is why JP decided to stay

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: ESPN/Clayton: 5 surprise teams in 2008

I don't expect a rookie WR to come in and light things up. The Bills will need time to gel as a team. Step back in 2008, Playoffs in 2009.

Bull**** We have been taking steps back for TOO LONG. They better be improved. I can't take this wait till next year horse****.