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Bills In Need of Spark
Bills Need a Spark: Could a Seventh Round Pick Step Up?
Orchard Park, NY
University of Central Oklahoma Sports
7 Games into the 2008 season, the Bills are a respectable 5-2. However, something is wrong. The Bills had to wait 6 games before they could play a divisional opponent, and when they got their chance to shine, they dropped the ball. In an ugly 25-16 loss to the last place AFC East rival Dolphins, the Bills showed us something. They need a spark, offensively, defensively, something to start a bigger run than the 4-0 one they had to start the season in order to take complete control over the division.
With a loss to the Dolphins, the next two games may be "must-wins" for Buffalo. This week, the stumbling, klumsy Jets come to Buffalo. This is by no means a guaranteed win. Just as the Dolphins was not, although it was expected. With the loss of a good possession reciever in Josh Reed, the Bills need to find some other body to step up and make some plays. The Bills may not need to look any further than they're usual list of inactives.
Rookie wide reciever, Steve Johnson, has only seen the field one game this year and his stats on the season are 1 reception for 8 yards (@ Arizona). Nothing special, but its not like he's been given a chance. In his senior year in college, the 6 foot 2, 212 lb reciever put up some fantastic numbers. In his final year at the University of Kentucky, he had 60 receptions for 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games. Pre-combine, this young wide-out was projected 4th round, sometimes higher. But, the two-headed monster that is the NFL combine dropped his draft grade. But, the Bills may have struck gold when they took a flier in the 7th on an underrated Kentucky Wildcat.
With injuries to Buffalo's wide reciever corps, it is an enigma as to why Johnson has not taken over Justin Jenkins' spot as the 5th/4th wide reciever. Yes, Jenkins is a good special teamer and Bobby April loves it, but try Johnson out there. Or activate 5-6 WR's, making Jenkins a special teamer and Johnson the 5th WR or, with Reed out, Make Johnson the 4th. With a good frame, solid speed and great hands, Johnson deserves a chance, and could possibly emerge as a vertical threat and "spark" the Bills need.
(ESPN PHOTOS)
If given a chance, Johnson could probably show why he was projected 3-4 rounds higher than taken. All he needed at Kentucky was a chance, and when the coaches gave it to him (and injuries), he took full advantage. When you pay too much attention to 40 times and verticals, you may pass on some real talent, much like 32 teams did several times over for a well-known QB. *Cough* Tom Brady *Cough*. If you look at a possible lineup for the Bills wide recievers, try stopping the following:
Lee Evans- On of the best WR's in the NFL. Fast, stretches the field, moves around, excellent route running, and great hands.
James Hardy- 6'7'', need I say anymore? This is a goal-line defense's nightmare.
Roscoe Parrish- A speedster, welker-like potential, Can stretch the field and go deep, could outrun almost any DB, YAC beast.
Steve Johnson- Size, speed, and sure hands. Nose for the endzone, and a good height compliment to Hardy. Unknown production potential, but screams NFL WR. Can play slot or outside, will go up and make a play on the ball.
I may not have much influence on the Bills organization. I'm just a sports writer, but if it were up to me, I'd give this young man a shot. What have you got to lose? If he turns out to be just a 7th round body, take him out and put Jenkins back in. However, it may be possible that having another threat like Johnson would be the much needed spark, for the first place Bills.
Tags: Steve Johnson, Kentucky, Buffalo Bills, 7th Round, Spark, NFL, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Justin Jenkins, James Hardy, Football
Orchard Park, NY
University of Central Oklahoma Sports
7 Games into the 2008 season, the Bills are a respectable 5-2. However, something is wrong. The Bills had to wait 6 games before they could play a divisional opponent, and when they got their chance to shine, they dropped the ball. In an ugly 25-16 loss to the last place AFC East rival Dolphins, the Bills showed us something. They need a spark, offensively, defensively, something to start a bigger run than the 4-0 one they had to start the season in order to take complete control over the division.
With a loss to the Dolphins, the next two games may be "must-wins" for Buffalo. This week, the stumbling, klumsy Jets come to Buffalo. This is by no means a guaranteed win. Just as the Dolphins was not, although it was expected. With the loss of a good possession reciever in Josh Reed, the Bills need to find some other body to step up and make some plays. The Bills may not need to look any further than they're usual list of inactives.
Rookie wide reciever, Steve Johnson, has only seen the field one game this year and his stats on the season are 1 reception for 8 yards (@ Arizona). Nothing special, but its not like he's been given a chance. In his senior year in college, the 6 foot 2, 212 lb reciever put up some fantastic numbers. In his final year at the University of Kentucky, he had 60 receptions for 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games. Pre-combine, this young wide-out was projected 4th round, sometimes higher. But, the two-headed monster that is the NFL combine dropped his draft grade. But, the Bills may have struck gold when they took a flier in the 7th on an underrated Kentucky Wildcat.
With injuries to Buffalo's wide reciever corps, it is an enigma as to why Johnson has not taken over Justin Jenkins' spot as the 5th/4th wide reciever. Yes, Jenkins is a good special teamer and Bobby April loves it, but try Johnson out there. Or activate 5-6 WR's, making Jenkins a special teamer and Johnson the 5th WR or, with Reed out, Make Johnson the 4th. With a good frame, solid speed and great hands, Johnson deserves a chance, and could possibly emerge as a vertical threat and "spark" the Bills need.
Steve Johnson Makes the Game-
Winning Catch Against #1 LSU (ESPN PHOTOS)
If given a chance, Johnson could probably show why he was projected 3-4 rounds higher than taken. All he needed at Kentucky was a chance, and when the coaches gave it to him (and injuries), he took full advantage. When you pay too much attention to 40 times and verticals, you may pass on some real talent, much like 32 teams did several times over for a well-known QB. *Cough* Tom Brady *Cough*. If you look at a possible lineup for the Bills wide recievers, try stopping the following:
Lee Evans- On of the best WR's in the NFL. Fast, stretches the field, moves around, excellent route running, and great hands.
James Hardy- 6'7'', need I say anymore? This is a goal-line defense's nightmare.
Roscoe Parrish- A speedster, welker-like potential, Can stretch the field and go deep, could outrun almost any DB, YAC beast.
Steve Johnson- Size, speed, and sure hands. Nose for the endzone, and a good height compliment to Hardy. Unknown production potential, but screams NFL WR. Can play slot or outside, will go up and make a play on the ball.
I may not have much influence on the Bills organization. I'm just a sports writer, but if it were up to me, I'd give this young man a shot. What have you got to lose? If he turns out to be just a 7th round body, take him out and put Jenkins back in. However, it may be possible that having another threat like Johnson would be the much needed spark, for the first place Bills.
Tags: Steve Johnson, Kentucky, Buffalo Bills, 7th Round, Spark, NFL, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Justin Jenkins, James Hardy, Football
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