Countdown to Kickoff: Interview with Matt Loede
The countdown to kickoff has begun. Only 4 days away until the Bills return to the Ralph to take on the Oakland Raiders. Similar to last week, instead of breaking down a match up today I invited another guest to the site. Matt Loede joins the website today. He is the senior editor at billsgab.com and nflgridirongab.com. NFLGridrongab.com brings together all of the teams in the NFL. It is a great site to go to for opinions and news on any NFL team. Matt has been covering the sports world for over 13 years and this week he is heading to Blog World 2008 this weekend in Las Vegas. He was gracious enough to stop by and chat a little bit about the Buffalo Bills and the entire NFL (NOTE: Just like last time, my questions are in bold while Matt’s answers are in normal font).
What are your thoughts on the Bills through their first 2 games? They beat the Seahawks badly, 34-10 and they came through when they had to against the Jaguars 20-16. That is two wins against playoff teams from last year. Sure both of these teams have injuries, but they looked pretty good in both of them. This is the first time since 2003 that the Bills have started 2-0 to begin a season.
I think the Bills have looked solid through two weeks. The one thing that has impressed me is the maturity of Trent Edwards, as well as the ability of the defense to make stops when they need to. Edwards and the offense really came through Sunday when the team was trailing and had two great drives to take the game back over. Injuries or not, many felt Seattle and Jacksonville would be, and could still be playoff teams.
How do you like the Bills offense through the first 2 games? It is similar to a west coast offense with some different formations. It let’s the young QB Trent Edwards make quick decisions and they air it out when the defense starts cheating up. Not to mention Edwards spreads the ball all over the place. Everyone gets involved, something as Bills fans we haven’t seen in a while. Plus they have Lynch that they can ride all day too if needed.
As I said above, Edwards and the offense has looked very good. Turk Schonert has done a very good job in two games as the new offensive coordinator in putting Edwards and the offense in a position to succeed, and Trent has taken advantage of it. Marshawn and the running game has been good, and credit also has to be given to the O-line for doing a good job up front.
How do you see the AFC East playing out? The Patriots looked pretty much like the same team (just less scoring) and the New York Jets looked pretty bad. The Bills and the Pats are both 2-0 so far this season. Do you give the Bills a shot?
The Bills have a shot, but injuries and how other teams shape up will determine just how much of a shot Buffalo has come playoff time. The big difference is they started slow last year and caught their stride midway through the season. This year they have already started fast, and now need to not have a letdown, as the Pats will not be going away easily as we saw last week vs. the Jets.
What are your “surprises” so far this year? A lot has caught me off guard so far.
- Titans at 2-0, I’m surprised with. I didn’t see that team doing anything this year.
- Colts at 1-1! What surprises me with that is Peyton Manning doesn’t look like himself (except for the one throw to Wayne ).
- Broncos at 2-0. I thought Denver would be fighting for a wild card spot not leading the division (although some calls by refs in your favor help).
- Chargers at 0-2! Chargers get beat by last second plays two weeks in a row but their defense does not look right to me (and Shawn Merrian is out for the year).
- Vikings 0-2! Vikings were supposed to be going to the Superbowl according to some experts.
- Jags 0-2. Jags went 11-5 last year, although they do have some injuries.
There has been plenty of surprises to go around, some good, and of course some bad.
For the Good - the Bills have to be high on the list, along with the Carolina Panthers, who look like they are going to contend with the Saints for the NFC South Title. Pittsburgh looks for real in the AFC, and Jay Cutler and the Broncos look like a team that is going to give a lot of teams issues.
On the Bad side - The Browns and Vikings have to top the list. These two teams were the “sexy” picks by many to get deep in the playoffs, and now they are both having to fight just to not find themselves 0-3 after Sunday. The Chargers have had a tough start, and the Colts may be 1-1, but they look like they have aged a bit. Seattle and the Jaguars look like two teams that are going to never be able to overcome already the injuries they have encountered.
While we are on the entire NFL, I have to ask this question early in the season. What are your predictions for the rest of the season (division leaders, playoff teams, Superbowl champs, etc.)? Sorry if you have gotten sick of this one.
Division Champs:
AFC - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Denver
NFC - Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Arizona
Wild Cards - AFC: Tennessee, San Diego NFC: NY Giants, Philadelphia
Super Bowl: Dallas vs. Pittsburgh - Dallas 24-20
Back to the Bills now. What are your keys to the game for them to beat the Raiders? The #1 on my list is to stop the run.
Stopping the run is by far and away the most important. This team ran for 300 yards last week, so yes, that is the biggest key. On offense, they can’t make mistakes to think the Raiders can sneak out a win in Buffalo. Take the lead early, pressure Russell and force him to have to win the game
How about them rookies?!? We say both of them play roles in todays game. 2nd rounder James Hardy caught the go ahead touchdown pass and even 1st round pick Leodis McKelvin got into the game a little bit with two returns. What role do you see the two of them playing the rest of the season? I don’t see McKelvin beating out Jabri Greer anytime soon for the starting spot.
I see Hardy and McKelvin playing the roles they have already played, which is to get in the games at various points, but also for Dick Jauron and the staff not to force them into situations to fail. I like that neither have had to play a lot, but when they have played they have been able to be successful.
A big part of the Bills offense is Lee Evans. Do you think he gets a contract extension and stays with the Bills for the foreseeable future?
Edwards and Evans finally seem on the same page, which concerned me entering the season. Yes, I see Evans and the team getting together on a deal that will pay him like the #1 WR that he is quickly showing he can be week in and week out.
How about another WR? Every year we hear how the Bills are going to get the ball into Roscoe Parrish’s hands. Do you think this will come true this year?
Right now Parrish is still a mystery as to how much he’ll be used. He only has four catches in two games, and Edwards seems more comfortable with Evans and Robert Royal. Parrish will at some point get a shot to make a play, but those may be few and far between.
Where did Aston Youboty come from? I didn’t even have this guy making the roster before preseason.
Just goes to show that some players that are not great in preseaosn and practice can show up when the lights are brightest. That’s the case with Ashton, who seems to have relished his role with the team, with 11 tackles and a sack in two games. For now, he’s been a welcome surprise.
Prediction time. What is the score for the game between the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills?
I think the Bills will win, I say 24-13. They can’t take the Raiders lightly, as this is a team that lost 41-13 two weeks ago only to come out
and physically dominate the Chiefs in a place they rarely win. Look for the defense to have its moments, and for Edwards and Evans to make a few big plays to secure the win.
