Is this year's team better than last year's team?

[Dr. Lecter]

Assuming Peters comes in and plays, is this year's team better than last year?

I say it is. I know there are many out there who think the team is worse, even much worse I just don't see it. So before I am called stupid, a homer, am ignoring facts or being blind hear this out.

The defense is better. The additions of Stroud, McKelvin and Mitchell are clear upgrades. The returns of Poz, Simpson and Denney are also helpful.

The offense is better, although maybe not a ton. Edwards has a year under his belt and also will have a TC (and preseason) with first team reps, something he did not have last year. The O-line starts their 2^nd year together. Lynch has a year of experience as does Fred Jackson. Any contribution form Hardy and Schouman (remember the last TE we like was also a late round pick and spent time on the Practice Squad) will be beneficial.

So, also assuming that this year’s schedule is easier (which, on paper, it is) why should the team not go at least 8-8? If the offense and defense and improved and the schedule is easier, why won’t this team win at least one more game?

[SABuffalo786]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Absolutely.

Even if we didn't add big names like Stroud or Mitchell, a healthy Bills team would've been better than last year.

[OpIv37]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Defense is better. Offense is the same.

The team won't go 8-8 until the O proves it can score consistently, particularly in the red zone.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

I would also add that Spencer Johnson and Will James give us additional veteran depth on D, and that many of our 2nd and 3rd year players - Whitner, McCargo, Simpson, Poz, Lynch, Edwards Butler et. al. - should be ready to take a big step forward.

[Captain gameboy]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

I think they definitely will be.

But....I've said this a few times, I'm really going to b watching the continuity of the offense during preseason games, looking for signs that Trent really knows what he is doing and not playing robotic; that the offensive line looks like it can pick up the third and two's/threes in the running game, and that the d-line can stop the run and get pressure from all positions without stunting/blitzing all the time.

None of this was apparent in the last three preseasons, and never materialized in the regular season.

In other words, I think the preseason games this year are more important than serving as simple talent evaluations.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Defense is better. Offense is the same.

The team won't go 8-8 until the O proves it can score consistently, particularly in the red zone.

The offense is not the same. You are wrong and ignoring facts. The same thing you scream at people for. Even if the improvement is minimal, Edwards having a full TC as 1st team QB and having a season of NFL experience makes him better.

And, even if it is the same as last year, since the defense is better and schedule easier would that not make for a better season? How does it not, logically speaking?

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Defense is better. Offense is the same.

The team won't go 8-8 until the O proves it can score consistently, particularly in the red zone.

The addition of James Hardy means nothing, not even a smidge? Or how about continuity? Im not saying the O is gonna be lights out, but it seems like they should be marginally better than last year, if only on paper.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Defense is better. Offense is the same.

The team won't go 8-8 until the O proves it can score consistently, particularly in the red zone.

Our O really isn't the same, as the line has a year together under their belts, Edwards and Lynch are no longer rookies, Barnes gives us a true FB, and Schouman and Hardy represent a couple of receiving threats we didn't have last year. And we have a new OC.

[OpIv37]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

The offense is not the same. You are wrong and ignoring facts. The same thing you scream at people for. Even if the improvement is minimal, Edwards having a full TC as 1st team QB and having a season of NFL experience makes him better.

And, even if it is the same as last year, since the defense is better and schedule easier would that not make for a better season? How does it not, logically speaking?

So you're expecting different results from the same group of guys, but I'M the one that's wrong? Doing the same thing and expecting different results is insanity.

But anyway, enough of that.

Let's say the O has minimal improvement, which it probably does. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. In 7 games against playoff teams last year, we got blown out in 5 of them and only won 1. The O needs to be a LOT better to win games. The D is better, but it's not good enough to compensate for the shortcomings of the O.

And the schedule is a red herring. It doesn't make that much difference in the NFL anymore, plus it's impossible to tell how hard or easy it really is until they start playing (think Baltimore last year).

[OpIv37]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Our O really isn't the same, as the line has a year together under their belts, Edwards and Lynch are no longer rookies, Barnes gives us a true FB, and Schouman and Hardy represent a couple of receiving threats we didn't have last year. And we have a new OC.

Same QB. Same RB. 4 of 5 receivers the same. Same OL. Same starting TE (at least for now).

The majority of it is the SAME and no talent was added, with the possible exception of Hardy.

We were the 30th ranked offense last year. one year of experience is NOT enough to turn an O that bad into playoff caliber. I really can't even believe I have to argue that point.

[Captain gameboy]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Hmmmm.

A few weeks ago I worked with a guy who was brand new in the job two years ago, and wasn't really all that good at that time.

This time he was really good.

Nah....Couldn't be.
No explaining it.

Two years and 1000 hours of learning and experiencing could not lead to better performance.

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Same QB. Same RB. 4 of 5 receivers the same. Same OL. Same starting TE (at least for now).

The majority of it is the SAME and no talent was added, with the possible exception of Hardy.

We were the 30th ranked offense last year. one year of experience is NOT enough to turn an O that bad into playoff caliber. I really can't even believe I have to argue that point.

I for one am not saying that the O is gonna perform better. There's no way to know how they will perform. However, they are marginally improved with the addition of some height at WR, adding diversity to the offense as well. I have NO idea how you can argue that, because its undeniable. We'll see how the O performs.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

We're a young team with a good mix of talent. The coaches abilities to make adjustments in game and utilize the players we have will make the difference this season. Having our defense or offense break into the middle of the league in terms of stats would help as well.

I actually plan on the Bills going 11-5, based on a health and desire. The fans are showing thier support.

[OpIv37]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Hmmmm.

A few weeks ago I worked with a guy who was brand new in the job two years ago, and wasn't really all that good at that time.

This time he was really good.

Nah....Couldn't be.
No explaining it.

Two years and 1000 hours of learning and experiencing could not lead to better performance.

Except the O doesn't have 2 years of experience. Remember, this team finished the season on a 3 game losing streak. They didn't get better as the season went on as the "experience" argument would suggest.

When the season starts, they'll have had roughly 9 months since the last season (way less than two years). And the only actual football practice they had were OTA's, mini camp (where Jauron cancelled practice), and Training Camp (Club Jauron with only 2 double sessions, both of which are already passed), which totals way less than 1000's of hours.

Oh, let's not forget that football isn't new to these guys- most of them have been playing since they were kids. Yet, 9 months (most of which was not spent playing football) is supposed to make a huge difference in their skill level?

Coming from you, that is an uncharacteristically weak argument.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Is this year's team better than last year's team?

Same QB. Same RB. 4 of 5 receivers the same. Same OL. Same starting TE (at least for now).

The majority of it is the SAME and no talent was added, with the possible exception of Hardy.

We were the 30th ranked offense last year. one year of experience is NOT enough to turn an O that bad into playoff caliber. I really can't even believe I have to argue that point.

I say we have a top 20. Wanna bet?