If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
If you are having trouble accessing your account and don't remember your password, email help@virtualsportsnetwork.com and i'll get you an updated password for 2024.
As the NFL finds itself in another exciting postseason with the Patriots and (T.O.'s former team) the Cowboys slated to meet in Super Bowl XLV (45), the Bills find themselves feeling a little left out.
A season that began with a 4-0 record seemed to offer great promise, only to find the Bills finishing 10-6 on the year, 1 win short of their 2009 11-5 finish.
So what was the Bills' downfall? What do Bills fans have to look forward to next season? Let's break it down position by position:
Quarterback: Trent Edwards showed signs of brilliance mid season and finished the season just under 4,000 yards. He threw as many touchdown passes (25) as he did in 2009 but with much greater effiency. Edwards still needs to improve upon his accuracy and decision-making when being pressured by the opposing team's defensive line. Backups Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Moore really didn't do all that much. The Bills need to bring in a quarterback (rookie or veteran) to step up and serve as a solid backup.
Running Back: Marshawn Lynch continued to excel in the Bills offense, rushing close for 1500 yards and double digits in touchdowns. While Lynch sat out half of the last game of the regular season season, Bills fans were treated to a 50 yard half out of Fred Jackson. It's scary to think about how these two can perform if the Bills offensive line continues to improve as much as they did this year.
Wide Receiver: Free Agency acquisition Davone Bess became one of Edwards' favorite targets and stepped up as a very effective third down receiver. Is he the quality #2 receiver that Trent Edwards needs? That question may have a definitive answer until next season. Terrell Owens seems to have declined, finishing the season with only 694 yards, only better than his rookie season. Chances are the Bills will not resign him but crazier things have happened. Lee Evans had a solid year, eclipsing the 1,000 yard for the 3rd time in his career. Roscoe Parrish, while excelling in special teams, has yet to warrant the 2nd round pick used on him as a receiver. It might be early yet, but I think James Hardy might be a bust right out of the box. At the very least, the second round pick the Bills used to get him was a bit too much.
Tight End: Shawn Nelson continued to show signs of development, catching 52 passes for 650 yards on the year. Nelson is a sure handed tight end with the size and speed to be a dangerous safety valve for Edwards. Derek Fine? 8 catches, 90 yards, perhaps a bit underwhelming.
Offensive Line: The Bills young offensive line appeared to gel as a unit and should come back stronger next year. They allowed 41 sacks on the year, collectively.
Defensive Line: Sophomore Aaron Maybin was a pleasant surprise for the Bills, tallying up 9 sacks in his 1st season as a full time starter. Aaron Schobel's dismal 6 sacks really doesn't justify the contract the guy has. Marcus Stroud had his moments, and with the decent supporting cast, was able to rack up a career high 10 sacks on the year. The Bills pash rush definitely needs improving next season though.
Linebackers: If Paul Posluszny wasn't white and Polish, the Bills fan base wouldn't be so patient with him. Kawika Mitchell showed some signs of improvement for the linebacking corp, yet he seemed to disappear from time to time. Clint Ingram who was signed out of free agency last offseason, was the aggressive, hard-hitting LB we expected him to be, but his aggressive and tendency to overpursue allowed opposing running backs to break big gains. The linebackers were constantly out of position and big, game-changing plays were a rarity at best. The Bills will need more out of their linebackers in '11
Defensive Backs: Terrence McGee had another spectacular season and will likely be voted on to his second consecutive Pro Bowl team. Leodis McKelvin is a big playmaker in the making and made huge strides in his coverage. Donte Whitner, Jairus Byrd, Cary Harris and Ko Simpson are, together, a decent, reasonably young backfield that has shown a lot of promise for the future. The problems in the defensive backfield stem from them not playing physical enough. They don't bump at the line, allowing receivers the short, quick routes that ranked the Bills defense amonst the worst in the league at stopping the pass. Hopefully we'll see this young group continue to improve. With the defensive line's effectiveness continuing to improve, the Bills' defensive backs will likely get burned less.
Special Teams: Roscoe Parrish led a special teams unit that was easily the most consistent unit on the team, returning 5 kickoffs for touchdowns for a second consecutive season. Brian Moorman, while not playing up to the high standards he has set in previous seasons, had another solid year. Rian Lindell continues to be a kicker who can make the easy kicks and miss the pressure ones. He's not a terrible kicker but one has to wonder if there is a better kicker out there somewhere. No matter what happens to the rest of the team next season, it can be expected the Bills' special teams will continue to shine.
The Buffalo Bills quickly filled their opening at defensive coordinator, hiring Ron Meeks today to replace Perry Fewell.
The Bills have turned their struggling defense to Meeks, who spent 7 years running Indianapolis' unit, and the past 2 years with the Panthers.
Weeks won a Super Bowl with the Colts in 2006 and the Bills are hoping he can help them achieve similar success.
"He's an outstanding teacher who has enjoyed great success as a coordinator in the league and brings a strong background of coaching championship defenses," said Bills head coach Dick Jauron.
The Buffalo Bills came to terms after days of negotiations with quarterback Trent Edwards, signing him to a 3 year deal worth $22.89M.
Edwards has led the Bills to two consecutive postseason appearances while throwing for 25 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards in both seasons.
The Bills are still in negotiations with wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Owens, who finished under the 1,000 yards receiving mark for only the 3rd time in his career, is rumored to be asking for a 3 year deal worth 23 million dollars. The Bills seem reluctant to offer the deal to the 15 year veteran who appears to have lost a step. Owens is now 37 years of age.
After days and days of negotiations with Terrell Owens, the ball has yet to get rolling on a new contract for the wide receiver.
Owens, 37, finished 2010 with 694 yards received and only 5 touchdowns. Just for sake of comparison, Owens received for 1,213 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2009.
Owens is asking for a 3 year deal rumored to be around 23 million dollars. With free agency just around the corner, it appears the Bills want to keep their options open and allow Owens to test free agency waters.
With Davone Bess and Lee Evans both putting up solid numbers a season ago, T.O. could be expendable if the Bills can land a receiver to put in the slot upon T.O.'s departure.
There is no denying Owen's value to the team considering in both years he has been a member of the Bills, they have made the playoffs.
Trade rumors are starting to swirl around Aaron Schobel after it was announced that the Bills front office would be willing to listen to offers for the Bills defensive end.
Sources close to the Bills reported that the Dolphins offered right tackle Vernon Carey for Schobel but the Bills declined considering the Dolphins are an AFC East rival.
Another rumor has the Jaguars willing to part ways with Eben Britton who is stuck behind Eugene Monroe on the Jaguars depth chart.
The Jaguars appear desperate to bolster their defensive line. It's easy to see why. Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey aren't exactly the most dominant of defensive ends.
sweet update, great read, personally I like TO with Bess and Lee because he's that physical receiver who can be a redzone threat, while the other two can chunk up the yards. It's a real strong combo.
Thanks. Yeah, I like T.O. I really do, but I'm thinking he is just asking for way too much money.
His rating went down this offseason and to spend that kind of money on him is going to leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Lots of updates on the previous page as well! :headache:
Some input on a possible Schobel trade would be great. It's posted in the trade talks thread as well.
The Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars have come to an agreement that will send defensive end Aaron Schobel and the 23rd pick in round 6 of the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft to the Jaguars for offensive lineman Eben Britton.
Britton was the Jaguars second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the 39th pick overall and seventh offensive lineman selected.
However, the Jaguars first round pick in the same year, offensive lineman Eugene Monroe has kept Britton in his shadow for the past two years.
Britton, 6-6, 310, was a three-year starter at Arizona and has the ability to play both left tackle and right tackle.
Britton will likely be moved over to left tackle where he will start for the Bills in the upcoming 2011 season.
"I'm excited," explained Britton after hearing news of the trade. "Eugene and Tra (Thomas), had those (tackle) spots locked down. This is a fresh start for me. The Bills have some other young guys on that offensive line as well."
The move also gives the Bills a bit more financial flexibility heading into free agency.
Comment