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Bills Offensive Line: A Philisophical Perspective
Bills fans, it has been brought to my attention that this ragtag bunch of misfits is expected to protect young JP Lossman and open holes for Willis Mcgimpknee this upcoming season. But the burning question on a Philisophical Troll's mind is can this unit really get it done? After a thorough assessment, my answer is a resounding NO!!
Lets start by breaking down each position player by player:
Left Tackle: Grade F , Bills lost best lineman Jennings to free agency. LT is a premium position in this league and Bills will pay dearly.
1) Mike Gandy: is it safe to assume that if the season started today that his journeyman would be starting? I think so, this is problem number one. Problem number 2 is this guy spends more time on the injured list then the field.
2) Jason Peters: Great special teams player, but is he a TE or Tackle??. He's clearly not an NFL starter, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him play TE since the Bills have no viable player at that position.
3) Justin Geisinger: This years six rounder from Vandy has been hailed as a sleeper, so expect him to see time at this position as the Bills coaching staff plays musical chairs trying to replace Jennings.
4) Geir Gudmundsen: Rookie Free Agent from Albany. Had a solid career for a division I-AA squad, but likely destined to be an early camp cut.
Left Guard: Grade D-, Anderson leads the way in this group but that isn't saying much.
1) Ross Tucker: Played quite a bit of special teams, and was put in on goaline situations. But the bottom line is that he's shown me nothing to indicate he's a good NFL Lineman.
2) Lawrence Smith: Started the first few games last season as McNally and company were trying to find the right fit. But he made some terrible plays, and looked lost at times. The bottom line: A waste of roster space.
3) Bennie Anderson: Likely the starter come opening day. Bills fans will argue he was part of a unit that helped Jamal Lewis rush for 2000 yards a few years ago, but he was the weak link none the less. This guy is definitely overrated, and his blocking can be atrocious at times especially against premeir defenders. He fits in perfectly on this team.
Center: Grade D+ , The most critical position on the line, yet the Bills insist on starting a guy that belongs at left tackle there.
1) Trey Teague: incumbent TT is praised for his so called athleticism and versatility, but you could have fooled me. I've yet to see any of this on the field. This guy made way too many bad snaps the last few years directly attributing to Bledsoe sacks and turnovers. But this is the starter Mcnally and company are putting in front of Lossman.
2) Duke Preston: This 4th round draft pick from Illinois remains an also renmains an unknown, but if he shows something in camp he could have a chance to see playing time on this pourous unit.
Right Guard: Grade C-, Bills fans knew that replacing legedary pro bowl guard big bad Ruben Brown would take time. But I'm not sure they've found the answers yet.
1) Chris Villarrial: The only Bills lineman to start the entire season last year. had his moments and looks like a solid veteran most of the time, but did show flashes of classic sloppy Bills lineman play too. The question is how much does he have left? And what happens if he gets hurt because there's not much depth here.
2) Greg Jerman: Bills signed this bench warmer from Miami who also had one of the worst lines in the league last year. My question: Why? This guy might not even make the team but who knows with this unit.
3) Ben Sobieski: Former Iowa product is relative unknown but he probably won't even make the team this year.
Right Tackle: Grade C-, Might be the strongest position on this entire unit.
1) Mike Williams: The former #4 overall pick in the 02 draft has not lived up to the hype or status. He has looked solid at times, and appeared to come on last year, but he needs to have a dominant pro bowl season this year to avoid the bust label. The question is will he do it? I think not.
2) Dylan Macfarland: If he makes the roster he's nothing more than a 3rd stringer. Was inactive a majority of last season.
3) David Pruce: Local UB Product and NFL Europe All-Star will likely fight to make the Bills roster this season and fail.
Coaching, Grade D: Many Bills fans and even some respected coaches around the league have praised Jim "Moose" Mc Nally for his work ethic and dedication, but a philisophical troll fails to see what this guy has accomplished here in Buffalo with his roster of underachievers and misfits.
In conclusion we see the right side of the line is the strength of this unit. So Mcgimpknee better stick to that side if he wants to have success. There is no doubt in my mind that the Bills will sorely miss Jennings, and they need to think about another option at center if Teague continues to struggle. The Bottom line is this unit has not improved from a year ago and it will be a hinderance to the development of young JP Lossman and Willis Mcgimpknee as they try to make plays on a depleted offensive unit. Expect a lot of sacks, turnovers, false starts, holding penalities and trademark sloppy play from this line. Whoever replaces Donahoe next year needs to make this one of their top priorties. After all rebuildling starts in the trenches my friends.
Lets start by breaking down each position player by player:
Left Tackle: Grade F , Bills lost best lineman Jennings to free agency. LT is a premium position in this league and Bills will pay dearly.
1) Mike Gandy: is it safe to assume that if the season started today that his journeyman would be starting? I think so, this is problem number one. Problem number 2 is this guy spends more time on the injured list then the field.
2) Jason Peters: Great special teams player, but is he a TE or Tackle??. He's clearly not an NFL starter, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him play TE since the Bills have no viable player at that position.
3) Justin Geisinger: This years six rounder from Vandy has been hailed as a sleeper, so expect him to see time at this position as the Bills coaching staff plays musical chairs trying to replace Jennings.
4) Geir Gudmundsen: Rookie Free Agent from Albany. Had a solid career for a division I-AA squad, but likely destined to be an early camp cut.
Left Guard: Grade D-, Anderson leads the way in this group but that isn't saying much.
1) Ross Tucker: Played quite a bit of special teams, and was put in on goaline situations. But the bottom line is that he's shown me nothing to indicate he's a good NFL Lineman.
2) Lawrence Smith: Started the first few games last season as McNally and company were trying to find the right fit. But he made some terrible plays, and looked lost at times. The bottom line: A waste of roster space.
3) Bennie Anderson: Likely the starter come opening day. Bills fans will argue he was part of a unit that helped Jamal Lewis rush for 2000 yards a few years ago, but he was the weak link none the less. This guy is definitely overrated, and his blocking can be atrocious at times especially against premeir defenders. He fits in perfectly on this team.
Center: Grade D+ , The most critical position on the line, yet the Bills insist on starting a guy that belongs at left tackle there.
1) Trey Teague: incumbent TT is praised for his so called athleticism and versatility, but you could have fooled me. I've yet to see any of this on the field. This guy made way too many bad snaps the last few years directly attributing to Bledsoe sacks and turnovers. But this is the starter Mcnally and company are putting in front of Lossman.
2) Duke Preston: This 4th round draft pick from Illinois remains an also renmains an unknown, but if he shows something in camp he could have a chance to see playing time on this pourous unit.
Right Guard: Grade C-, Bills fans knew that replacing legedary pro bowl guard big bad Ruben Brown would take time. But I'm not sure they've found the answers yet.
1) Chris Villarrial: The only Bills lineman to start the entire season last year. had his moments and looks like a solid veteran most of the time, but did show flashes of classic sloppy Bills lineman play too. The question is how much does he have left? And what happens if he gets hurt because there's not much depth here.
2) Greg Jerman: Bills signed this bench warmer from Miami who also had one of the worst lines in the league last year. My question: Why? This guy might not even make the team but who knows with this unit.
3) Ben Sobieski: Former Iowa product is relative unknown but he probably won't even make the team this year.
Right Tackle: Grade C-, Might be the strongest position on this entire unit.
1) Mike Williams: The former #4 overall pick in the 02 draft has not lived up to the hype or status. He has looked solid at times, and appeared to come on last year, but he needs to have a dominant pro bowl season this year to avoid the bust label. The question is will he do it? I think not.
2) Dylan Macfarland: If he makes the roster he's nothing more than a 3rd stringer. Was inactive a majority of last season.
3) David Pruce: Local UB Product and NFL Europe All-Star will likely fight to make the Bills roster this season and fail.
Coaching, Grade D: Many Bills fans and even some respected coaches around the league have praised Jim "Moose" Mc Nally for his work ethic and dedication, but a philisophical troll fails to see what this guy has accomplished here in Buffalo with his roster of underachievers and misfits.
In conclusion we see the right side of the line is the strength of this unit. So Mcgimpknee better stick to that side if he wants to have success. There is no doubt in my mind that the Bills will sorely miss Jennings, and they need to think about another option at center if Teague continues to struggle. The Bottom line is this unit has not improved from a year ago and it will be a hinderance to the development of young JP Lossman and Willis Mcgimpknee as they try to make plays on a depleted offensive unit. Expect a lot of sacks, turnovers, false starts, holding penalities and trademark sloppy play from this line. Whoever replaces Donahoe next year needs to make this one of their top priorties. After all rebuildling starts in the trenches my friends.
It's was all Teague's fault!! 
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