2010 NFL Preview: Buffalo Bills
With the completion of the Minnesota Vikings, the NFC North has been completed, and we are 3/8 of the way in our 32 team NFL journey. For another look at the NFC North teams, click on their pages:
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
The Buffalo Bills have not been in the playoffs since 1999. While it seems as if their AFC East rivals have made strides since then, the Bills seem stagnant. Even adding Terrell Owens last year did not help the Bills cause at all, and the result was a 6-10 season and missing out on the playoffs once again.
With a new head coach (Chan Gailey), a new system, and an electrifying player selected in the 2010 NFL Draft (C.J. Spiller), the Bills still need a lot of work. An example would be a legit franchise quarterback, something they have not had since Drew Bledsoe was on the team in 2004. With that said, Technorati will go inside and take a look at the Buffalo Bills.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (6-10, 4th AFC East, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: OT Cornell Green (Oakland Raiders), DE/DT Dwan Edwards (Baltimore Ravens), ILB Andra Davis (Denver Broncos), ILB Reggie Torbor (Miami Dolphins).
- Key Departures: WR Terrell Owens (Cincinnati Bengals) , WR Josh Reed (San Diego Chargers), TE Derek Fine (Houston Texans), OT Jonathan Scott (Pittsburgh Steelers), G Richie Incognito (Miami Dolphins), DE Aaron Schobel (free agency), DE Ryan Denney (free agency), SS John Wendling (free agency).
Overview:
Offense: Expect an open competition at quarterback between Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm, and 7th-round draft pick Levi Brown. Edwards is a good short yardage passer, which kind of hindered the production of a big play receiver Owens. Fitzpatrick takes more chances downfield, but has received criticism on not having an NFL-caliber arm. Brohm has had one start, where he threw two interceptions, and of course Brown has been unproven at quarterback. The Bills had a chance to pick their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, but passed up on him for C.J. Spiller.
Now the selection of Spiller is no knock, as he is a dynamic player with blazing breakaway speed and will definitely ignite the crowd. He will be getting some carries along with Fred Jackson. Jackson did very well last season, and is in training camp as the top starter, rushing for 1,062 yards and catching 46 passes in 2009. The issue with the Bills is what they are going to do with the troubled Marshawn Lynch. Lynch fell out of favor with Dick Jauron and eventually Perry Fewell. Spiller though may see some time in the slot as the team's third or fourth receiver, simply because the team is thin at wide receiver.
Continued on the next page
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