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If 2007 serves as any barometer, the Buffalo Bills offensive line is as hot and cold as it gets. The pass protection was superb, while the run blocking achieved pedestrian status at best.
The pass blocking allowed only 26 sacks last year; a dramatic improvement compared to 47 surrendered in 2006. Of course, that had a lot to do with Trent Edwards taking over at quarterback. Edwards simply gets rid of the football a lot quicker than J.P. Losman. He was sacked two fewer times despite having 94 more attempts than Losman last season. To give him a little credit, Losman actually improved over his 2006 season when he was sacked a mind-blowing 47 times.
Apart from who’s behind center, a lot of credit went to a line revamped with three new starters. Langston Walker was a calamity in Oakland but came to Buffalo as a free agent and prospered at right tackle. How much? Walker was personally responsible for 10.5 sacks with Oakland. With Buffalo he gave up only 2.25. Derrick Dockery came from Washington at left guard and was workmanlike. Brad Butler was inserted into the starting right guard role and improved as the year went on. He was rewarded with a contract extension, albeit not the linemen most fans expected or hoped to see secure a brand new deal. MORE
The pass blocking allowed only 26 sacks last year; a dramatic improvement compared to 47 surrendered in 2006. Of course, that had a lot to do with Trent Edwards taking over at quarterback. Edwards simply gets rid of the football a lot quicker than J.P. Losman. He was sacked two fewer times despite having 94 more attempts than Losman last season. To give him a little credit, Losman actually improved over his 2006 season when he was sacked a mind-blowing 47 times.
Apart from who’s behind center, a lot of credit went to a line revamped with three new starters. Langston Walker was a calamity in Oakland but came to Buffalo as a free agent and prospered at right tackle. How much? Walker was personally responsible for 10.5 sacks with Oakland. With Buffalo he gave up only 2.25. Derrick Dockery came from Washington at left guard and was workmanlike. Brad Butler was inserted into the starting right guard role and improved as the year went on. He was rewarded with a contract extension, albeit not the linemen most fans expected or hoped to see secure a brand new deal. MORE
