Buffalo Bills '05 Preview

[vicmantak]

August is my last month as an active member for a while and I just want to express my greatest regards to all of you with the best 2005 Preview I read:
The Athlon Sports ProFootball Preview Edition.
I'm a "bookstore rat" and I hope you'll enjoy this article as I enjoyed it. I selected everything related to the Buffalo Bills and transcripted it by myself.
I cross fingers that this effort don't violate any rights or that moderators could found a viable way to let members enjoy this extraordinary article.

Introduction
During the second half of last season, the Buffalo Bills were scoring points in record numbers, shutting down opponents, and getting big plays from their special teams. They also were winning - six games in row at one point and eight of 10 overall.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Unfortunately for the Bills and their loyal fans, finishing 9-7 under rookie coach Mike Mularkey after a 0-4 start wasn't enough to end a postseason drought now at five years.<o:p></o:p>

"I'm glad we won six games in a row. It showed us what kind of team we are and what type of team we can be," offensive lineman Ross Tucker says. "But this is the NFL, and there's no comfort in a good try. The bottom line is that we didn't get it done, and it's really tough to swallow."<o:p></o:p>

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City>'s front office swallowed very hard, coming to the conclusion that its roster still wasn't good enough to contend with the likes of Super Bowl champ <st1:place>New England</st1:place>, <st1:City><st1:place>Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:City>, and <st1:City><st1:place>Indianapolis</st1:place></st1:City> in t he rugged AFC. Overall, the Bills went 2-6 against team with winning records.<o:p></o:p>

Realizing more bold moves were necessary, coach Mike Mularkey and GM Tom Donahoe made one of the biggest of the offseason in the NFL, parting ways with veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe and naming J.P. Losman, the club's first-round pick in 2004, the starter.

[vicmantak]

Quarterbacks<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Given the thin list of top college quarterback prospects in 2005, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> elated with its move to trade up for Losman a year ago. They are ahead of the curve in developing their quarterback of the future, and Losman will hit the ground running. Literally. With his ability to run bootlegs, draws and rollouts - things the lead-footed Bledsoe was incapable of with any effectiveness - the handcuffs are off Mularkey and coordinator Tom Clements.<o:p></o:p>

And while Losman, sho tossed 60 touchdown passes at Tulane, must prove he can make good decisions against NFL defenses, he can't do any worse than Bledsoe, who had 43 turnovers in his last 32 games as a Bill. Losman knows that his supporting cast is strong but that he still must earn his teammates' respect.<o:p></o:p>

"For a quarterback to step into this situation, it's lucky for me, and I'm looking forward to talking full advantage of it," he says.<o:p></o:p>

Should he be injured or falter, the Bills can turn to former Cleveland Brown Kelly Holcomb, sho signed a four-year, $6.6 million free agent deal

[vicmantak]

Running Backs<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Willis McGahee the odds and returned from a devasting college knee injury to gain 1,128 yards and score 13 touchdowns last season while starting only 11 games. That means his best is yet to come. A hard-nosed runner between the tackles, McGahee did his best work using his vision and second gear to break runs to the outside. He had at least one run of 15 yards orbetter in 10 games, and his speed should improve even more with another offseason of rehab. McGahee should be able to double his 22 receptions with a young quarterback looking for the quick outlet pass.<o:p></o:p>

Former Pro Bowler Travis Henry remains prime trade bait heading into training camp. The 262-pound Daimon Shelton is one of the NFL's top blocking fullbacks.

[vicmantak]

Receivers<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

The Bills hit a bull's eye with Lee Evans, one of seven first-round receivers selected in 2004. The speedy former Wisconsin Badger gave <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> the ability to stretch the field again after the loss of Peerless Price. Evans finished with a team-best nine touchdown receptions and took some heat off Pro Bowl veteran Eric Moulds. Moulds rebounded from an injury-plagued '03 to catch 88 balls, fourth-most in the AFC. With 594 career catches, third-most in club history, he shows no signs of slowing down.<o:p></o:p>

While Moulds and Evans make a formidable 1-2 punch, the Bills were not happy with their depth and used their first pick in the draft (55th overall) on flashy <st1:City><st1:place>Miami</st1:place></st1:City> product Roscoe Parrish. The 5'-9" Parrish has speed to equal Evans and will give Buffalo another dimension from the slot, where he is expected to replace Josh Reed (16 catches).<o:p></o:p>

The Bills added promising tight end Kevin Everett, another down-field threat, in the draft to complement Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus, who are coming off knee surgeries.

[vicmantak]

Offensive Linemen<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Losing steady four-year left tackle Jonas Jennings to the 49ers was a big hit, but management made protecting the integrity of its salary cap a priority. The Bills countered by signing - at much more reasonable prices - free agents Bennie Anderson (Baltimore) and Mike Gandy (Chicago) and drafting Ray Preston out of Illinois and versatile Justin Geisinger out of Vanderbilt.<o:p></o:p>

Gandy, who started 14 games at left tackle for <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> in 2003, will be given a shot at replacing <st1:City><st1:place>Jennings</st1:place></st1:City>. But <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> also plans to experiment with moving center Trey Teague, who once started at left tackle for <st1:City><st1:place>Denver</st1:place></st1:City>. If Teague does take over at tackle, <st1:City><st1:place>Anderson</st1:place></st1:City> will be plugged in at left guard and Ross Tucker will slide over to center.<o:p></o:p>

The right side of the line is well established with guard Chris Villarial and tackle Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick in '02 who finally is living up to expectations.

[vicmantak]

Defensive Linemen<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Massive Pro Bowl tackle Sam Adams returns to plug the middle, but he'll be breaking in a new sidekick. Pat Williams was let go in free agency and signed with <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1:place>Minnesota</st1:place></st1:State>. Young veteran Ron Edwards, who had 4.0 sacks playing on passing downs, and promising second-year pro Tim Anderson, will be counted on to be at least as good as Williams and hopefully better. Even though <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> ranked seventh against the run, the Bills were susceptible to giving up long drives when the big men tired. After years of trying to find a bookend presence for Aaron Schobel (34.5 career sacks), Chris Kelsay, a second-round pick in '03, came into his own last season with 4.5 sacks, a team-best 15 quarterback hits, and 37 tackles.

[vicmantak]

Linebackers<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

The Bills, who play 4-3, boast one of the NFL's best trios in Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher and Jeff Posey. Not only are they productive, but they are also durable. None of them has missed a game in two years. The emotional Spikes is the unquestioned leader of a defense that led the NFL with 39 takeaways, 21 more than the previous season. He posted 99 tackles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Defensive Backs<o:p></o:p>
Despite the loss of veteran stars Lawyer Milloy and Troy Vincent to injuries for a total of 14 games, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> increased its interception total from a team-record low of 10 to 24. Former first-round pick Nate Clements, who led the club with six picks, has developed into a top-shelf corner and enters his contract year motivated to strike it big in free agency.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, the Bills got a big assist from Terrence McGee, a fourth-round pick in '03 who took over for Vincent and wound up with 87 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks. McGee performed so well that when Vincent returned from his knee injury, he shifted to free safety, where he will start in 2005. Milloy remains one of the game's top strong safeties and run stuffers. <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> has developed great depth in the secondary with backups Rashad Baker, Jabari Greer, Coy Wire and Kevin Thomas each capable of starting.

[vicmantak]

Specialists<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

McGee is one of the NFL's top young kickoff return men, taking back three kicks for touchdowns while setting a club mark for return yardage with 1,370 and putting a smile on assistant Bobby April's face. While Clements did a good job on punt returns, Parrish will get a long look at taking over those duties.<o:p></o:p>

Punter Brian Moorman remains a master at handling the weather conditions in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City>. Kicker Rian Lindell is on the hot seat, however. He made 24-28 attempts but was 1-of-3 from beyond 40 yards, and his chip-shot miss in the season finale against <st1:City><st1:place>Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:City> kept the Bills out of the playoffs.<o:p></o:p>


Final Analysis<o:p></o:p>
Losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers' second- and third- stringers 29-14 last January forced the Bills' front office to do some soul-searching. The conclusion? While <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City>'s defense and special teams were play-off caliber, the offense was not. And while it looks like a giant leap of faith turning the keys over to an untested quarterback in Losman, the feeling on the staff is that he can do no worse than the tired warhorse Bledsoe. And he has the potential to do much better, particularly when plays break down, because of his superior mobility. <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> was literally a play or two from making the playoffs in 2004. If Losman makes one or two more than Bledsoe, he and his strong supporting cast will crash the party in '05.

[vicmantak]

Additions and Looses

Offseason Impact<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Key Additions:<o:p></o:p>

G Bennie Anderson<o:p></o:p>

T Mike Gandy<o:p></o:p>

QB Kelly Holcomb<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Key Losses:<o:p></o:p>

QB Drew Bledsoe<o:p></o:p>

T Jonas Jennings<o:p></o:p>

T Marcus Price<o:p></o:p>

S Pierson Prioleau<o:p></o:p>

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place>S Izell</st1:place> Reese<o:p></o:p>

DT Pat Williams<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

The Bills lost three key starters in Bledsoe, <st1:City><st1:place>Jennings</st1:place></st1:City> and Williams but confidently filled the holes with younger, more promising players, at least for Bledsoe and Williams. Facilitating the move to J.P. Losman at quarterback was a draft heavy on offensive picks. Parrish has the chance to contribute immediately and help <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City>'s 26th-ranked passing game with his speed and ability to stretch the field. <st1:City><st1:place>Everett</st1:place></st1:City>, Parrish's college team-mate, tore an ACL in a spring mini-camp. Gandy, who could start at left tackle, and Anderson, who will start at left guard, come with experience and cap-friendly contracts. Landing Holcomb from <st1:City><st1:place>Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City> was astute. He's the ideal backup quarterback with a good track record coming off the bench.

[vicmantak]

Projected starting lineup<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Offense:<o:p></o:p>

80 WR Moulds<o:p></o:p>

83 WR Evans<o:p></o:p>

70 LT Teague<o:p></o:p>

66 LG <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Anderson</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

65 C Tucker<o:p></o:p>

58 RG Villarial<o:p></o:p>

68 RT Williams<o:p></o:p>

84 TE <st1:City><st1:place>Campbell</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

7 QB Losman<o:p></o:p>

31 FB <st1:City><st1:place>Shelton</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

21 RB McGahee<o:p></o:p>

9 K Lindell<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Defense:<o:p></o:p>

90 DE Kelsay<o:p></o:p>

95 LT <st1:place>Adams</st1:place><o:p></o:p>

69 RT <st1:City><st1:place>Anderson</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

94 DE Schobel<o:p></o:p>

51 OLB Spikes<o:p></o:p>

59 MLB Fletcher<o:p></o:p>

96 OLB Posey<o:p></o:p>

24 CB McGee<o:p></o:p>

22 CB Clements<o:p></o:p>

36 SS Milloy<o:p></o:p>

23 FS Vincent<o:p></o:p>

8 P Moorman<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Leaders:<o:p></o:p>

Passing: Drew Bledsoe, 450-256-2,932-16, 20 TDs<o:p></o:p>

Rushing: Willis McGahee, 284 att., 1,128 yds., 13 TDs<o:p></o:p>

Receiving: Eric Moulds, 88 rec., 1,043 yds., 5 TDs<o:p></o:p>

Kicking: Rian Lindell, 24/28 FGs, 45/45 XPs<o:p></o:p>

Punting: Brian Moorman, 77 punts, 3,325 yds., 43.2 avg.<o:p></o:p>

Kickoff Ret: Terrence McGee, 52 ret., 1,370 yds., 26.3 avg.<o:p></o:p>

Punt Ret: Nate Clements, 35 ret., 327 yds., 9.3 avg.<o:p></o:p>

Tackles: <st1:City><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:City> Fletcher, 150, 115 solo<o:p></o:p>

Sacks: Aaron Schobel, 8.0<o:p></o:p>

Interceptions: Nate Clements, 6 for 77 yds.

[vicmantak]

Ranking the Coaches<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

1. Bill Belichick NE<o:p></o:p>

2. Andy Reid <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Philadelphia</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

3. Bill Cowher Pittsbourgh<o:p></o:p>

6. Herman Edwards NY Jets<o:p></o:p>

21. Mike Mularkey Buffalo (Bills' late run in '04 might just be the start of something big)<o:p></o:p>

24. Nick Saban <st1:City><st1:place>Miami</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

30. Mike Tice <st1:State><st1:place>Minnesota</st1:place></st1:State><o:p></o:p>

31. Norv Turner <st1:City><st1:place>Oakland</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p>

32. Dennis Green <st1:State><st1:place>Arizona</st1:place></st1:State>

[vicmantak]

Draftrecap -C<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Explosive Roscoe Parrish is a fearless retuner who will cause mis-matches as a wide receiver in the slot. Tight end Kevin Everett tore and ACL during a spring mini-camp. Offensive line coach Jim McNally is legendary for taking square wide-bodied offensive line men and developing them into quality NFL players. He's got a pair in Duke Preston and Justin Geisinger. Eric King is an undersized but feisty corner who will battle for the nickel spot. Lionel Gates is an upright, downhill, one-speed running back. If you figure in the 2004 first-round trade for J.P. Losman, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> would warrant a B grade.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Predictions<o:p></o:p>

AFC East<o:p></o:p>

1. <st1:place>New England</st1:place> Patriots<o:p></o:p>

2. New York Jets* (wild card team)<o:p></o:p>

3. <st1:City><st1:place>Buffalo</st1:place></st1:City> Bills<o:p></o:p>

4. <st1:City><st1:place>Miami</st1:place></st1:City> Dolphins

[JJamezz]

Thanks a lot for taking the time do post that man! :up::up:

[Pride]

Is this a copyright violation? Who wrote this?