Die Hard Sports Fan

We are now just a mere 3 days away and counting until the Bills home opener on Sunday afternoon at the Ralph!  As a Bills fan I am PUMPED!!  Finally we get to see the team back in action and see what they can do against some pretty good competition in the Seattle Seahawks.

I broke down the Bills defense a couple days ago so today is time to show a little love to the O!

QB

1.  Trent Edwards

2. J.P. Losman

3. Gibran Hamdan

…The biggest question mark with this group is can they perform?  They all combined for 12 touchdown passes last season which was good for 29^th in the league.  Their combined passing yards of 2,634 was 30^th in the league.  In comparison to how bad this group was take a look at former Bills QB Todd Collins.  Last season the 35 year old (now 36) threw for 888 yards and 5 touchdowns in 4 games!…  Edwards worked hard in the off-season and added much needed muscle to his frame.  It will help him be more durably and keep him in the lineup.  It won’t hurt for his deep balls either.  When drafted he was suppose to be a leader.  The 2^nd year signal caller was voted team captain this season…  Losman is entering his last season as a Buffalo Bill.  His contract is up and he will take his services elsewhere.  A very gifted QB but was never very consistent…  Hamdan is back for another season.  He was on the practice squad last season before being signed to the club due to Edwards last season injury…

GRADE: C

RB

1. Marshawn Lynch

2. Fred Jackson

3. Xavier Omon

…Beast MODE is back!  After leading AFC rookies last season in most of the rushing categories, Lynch is looking to build on the numbers he had last season.  He is already one of the top 10 backs in the league…  Action Jackson is now in his second season of backing up Lynch.  Look for an article on him to come later in the year.  Not many people realize what he has gone through to make it to the league…  Omon, the rookie draft pick beat out Dwayne Wright during the preseason for the final RB spot.  Won’t see much time with the two guys he has in front of him…

GRADE: A-

FB

1. Darian Barnes

…Barnes is a 7 year vet and his big body should pave the way for a great season for Lynch.  The 6′ 2″, 240lb FB loves hitting people.  Look for him to clear the way for a great season running the ball.  Will do much better than those stupid H-backs in the past…

GRADE: C+

WR

1. Lee Evans

2. James Hardy

3. Josh Reed

4. Roscoe Parrish

5. Steve Johnson

6. Justin Jenkins

…Evans continues to be a huge deep threat and is by far the best WR for the Bills.  He worked with Edwards during the off-season so we will have to wait and see if that will pay off.  Evans put up some of the worst numbers of his career last year…  Hardy is the 2^nd round pick from Indiana.  The big target should get some opportunities in the red zone…  Reed is a great possession receiver on the Bills team.  He has reallu improved his catching ability since joining the Bills…  Parrish is the speed man who the Bills want to get the ball to.  His speed can change games.  A 5 yard slant could turn into a touchdown…  Johnson is the rookie wideout from Kentucky.  He was selected in the 7^th round.  He stood out during training camp and the preseason to win a roster spot…  Jenkins was kept for his special teams ability…

GRADE: B+

TE

1. Robert Royal

2. Derek Schouman

3. Derek Fine

…Royal caught 3 touchdown passes last season, and 2 came in one game.  He has had a good preseason though so let’s see if they try to get him more involved in the gameplan…  Schouman has 3 receptions in his career and is currently coming back from injury…  Fine the rookie from Kansas looks to get more reps at special teams this year than tight end.  When he gets healthy look for him to be an impact player on special teams which he was very good in at college…

GRADE: C

LT

1.  Jason Peters (HOLD OUT)

2. Langston Walker

3. Kirk Chambers

4. Matt Murphy

5. Demetrius Bell

…Peters is a bum.  Report to your team.  You’re not only hurting yourself but your teammates also…  Walker switched over from the right side of the line with the absence of Peters.  At 6′8″, 366 lb. he defiantly has the size to do it.  He will need to step up big time though.  Let’s be honest he is no Jason Peters… Chambers is starting at RT after Walker switched over… Murphy is a 7 year vet who is undersized for the LT position.  He should be on special teams duty all year…  Three years ago, Bell wasn’t even playing football.  He was playing basketball.  In college he started 22 games in a row at LT.  He has the size but needs to work on fundaments.  Has raw talent just needs to be groomed.  He was selected in the 7^th round, Pick 219^th overall…

GRADE: C

LG

1. Derrick Dockery

2. Jason Whittle

…Dockery stands at 6′6″ and 330 lbs.  He has to step up his play with Peters gone for the foreseeable future.  This is his 2^nd year with the Bills…  Whittle is a 10 year vet with a lot of experience.  Will help provide depth on the OL…

GRADE: C+

C

1. Melvin Fowler

2. Duke Preston

…Fowler has started all 16 games at center for the past two seasons for the Bills…  Most of Preston’s playing time last year came from special teams…

GRADE: C+

RG

1. Brad Butler

2. Duke Preston

…Butler is a 3 year player that has a huge body.  The 6′ 7″, 315 lb. guard started all 16 games last season…  In case you needed another fact on “Duke”, his real name is Raymond Newton Preston III…

GRADE: C

RT

1. Langston Walker (moved to LT while Peters holds out)

2. Kirk Chambers

…The former 6^th round pick is given the starting role by default.  He has only one start in his NFL career.  It was at left tackle against the Eagles in last year’s season finale.  The outcome?  No sacks allowed and helped Lynch gain 105 yards on the ground…

GRADE: D

Overall the Bills need to be able to run the ball and whatever QB is in needs to play consistent.  Edwards gets the ball out quick and not saying that Peters being gone will hurt the running game but Peters is a much better pass blocker than run blocker.  A true FB will also help out Lynch on the ground game.  The offense also needs to get the ball to the playmakers.  Lynch, Evans and Parrish should all be in the game plan every week to get a lot of touches.  Royal at TE also needs to be more of a receving threat.  He is a good blocker though so that will help out the line too.  The Bills O won’t do much this year numbers wise but if they can hang on to the football and control the clock it should be enough to get by on.    

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  Tonight the Buffalo Bills travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts.  This will be the first game at Lucas Oil stadium.  Trent Edwards has been ruled out for the game as he is still recovering from the thigh contusion suffered on Tuesday night.  Also out for the game are wide receivers James Hardy and Roscoe Parrish.  J.P. Losman will get the start tonight and it will be interesting to see how he plays with the first team offense.  Losman was the Bills starter for the 2006 season and had a successful year.  He started the 2007 season but lost his job to Edwards after an injury.  Losman has shown flashes but needs to get rid of the ball quicker.  The Bills need to establish the run tonight just like they did against the Steelers last week.  The starters will play at least the first half tonight.  This game will also give players on the bubble a chance to shine for the coaches before the first roster cutdown to 75 on August 26.  Go Bills. 

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  With Jason Peters still holding out, the team signed offensive lineman Dustin Dickinson and released receiver Jason Jones.  Dickinson was a rookie free agent that was released by Seattle on June 25.  He will most likely play tackle due to an injury to Matt Murphy.  The team was back in Orchard Park today.  Trent Edwards was not participating due to injury suffered Tuesday night.  James Hardy, Roscoe Parrish, Derek Schouman and John DiGiorgio were also sidelined.  Coach Dick Jauron also stated that the starters will play at least the first half maybe more this coming Sunday against the Colts.  I hope Trent can play but it doesnt seem likely because the season is two weeks away.  I would rather him heal up and be ready to go on September 7.  Go Bills. 

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  A positive sign today was that wide receiver Josh Reed was back at practice after missing the last ten days with a lower back injury.  Reed looked good today in practice and before getting hurt was one of Trent Edwards main targets.  Reed brings veteran leadership to this team and will have a solid year this season. 

There is a rumor going around that the Bills and wide receiver Lee Evans are close to a contract extension.  Evans stated that talks are progressing and hopes to get a deal done before the start of the season.  I think it would be a great move to get Lee signed to a long extension because he is a great talent that is only going to get better with stability at the quarterback position.  Evans had a monster year in 2006 but struggled last season because the team did not have another big play receiver to take the double teams away from him.  Rookie James Hardy could hopefully turn into that #2 receiver and demand attention to opposing defenses.  If Hardy can get going early, Evans will have a monster season. 

On nfl.com’s “This day in the NFL”, August 18, 1986 quarterback Jim Kelly signed a five year eight million deal with the Bills.  In 1986 that was big money.  Kelly was the savior for this franchise.  He is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and was exciting to watch.  He led the team to dominate the AFC in the early 90’s.  The Bills were playoff bound every year and one of the greatest teams in NFL History.  Go Bills.   

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills will face the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.  This is the first game out of eight scheduled in the next five years in Toronto.  I wish I was able to watch the game live but will be following it online.  The game also re-airs at midnight on NFL Network.  I hope Coach Dick Jauron lets Trent Edwards and the rest of the starting offense play the entire first quarter.  I want to see Trent attempt more than five passes like he did last week.  Josh Reed and Angelo Crowell will not play tonight.  James Hardy will start at wide receiver and Keith Ellison will start at linebacker for Crowell.  It looks like Donte Whitner will play this week after missing Saturdays game against Washington.  I hope our shortage at tackle doesnt effect some of our key guys playing time.  I dont want to see some of our starting o-line go deep into this one.  Its only the second preseason game so I would rather see our starting units ease into game condition.  Go Bills.   

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills fell to the Redskins 17-14 at Fedex field this past Saturday.  I was in attendance for the game and even though it didnt count, it was great to watch the Bills.  The starting offense didnt look so great and couldnt get into a flow.  Trent Edwards did have a nice 18 yard pass to Roscoe Parrish.  The offensive line had two false starts on the opening drive so we had to settle for three.  The defense didnt fare to well but was missing starters Donte Whitner, Angelo Crowell and Terrence McGee.  I take preseason for what its worth.  Its basically for the players that are on the bubble to show what they can do in game situations.  Cornerback Ashton Youboty had a nice interception and then flipped it to Reggie Corner who returned it to the 20 yard line. That setup J.P. Losman’s td pass to rookie receiver James Hardy.  Hardy made up for a drop with a nice 16 yard reception in the endzone.  Rookie Leodis McKelvin shined in the return game taking a punt back 45 yards.  If he would have cut to the right side, he would have scored.  McKelvin also had a 37 yard kickoff return.  He looked impressive.  As always the special teams played fantastic.  The unit forced a fumble on the opening kickoff which was recovered by kicker Rian Lindell.  Although we didnt pull out the victory, I saw some positive things from our team.  I cant wait to see us play at full strength.  Go Bills. 

Share This

Hello Bills fan.  Tomorrow the Buffalo Bills will travel to Washington to face the Redskins for their first preseason game of the 2008 NFL season.  Coach Dick Jauron stated that the starters will play between 10-20 snaps.  Donte Whitner, Josh Reed and Angelo Crowell are the only starters that will not play in this game.  Im upset that I will not be able to see those three because I want to see our offense and defense at full strength.  Rookie wide receiver James Hardy will play unless his hamstring tightens up before the game.  Im very excited to see how Trent Edwards has improved and added size since last season.  I cant wait to see some of the other rookies such as Leodis McKelvin, Chris Ellis and Reggie Corner in action.  I will report on my trip to Washington when I get back into town on Sunday night.  I cant believe the preseason is here already.  Go Bills. 

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  Coach Dick Jauron said today that Donte Whitner and Josh Reed are doubtful for Saturdays game against the Redskins.  Whitner’s ankle is still a little sore from this past weekend and Reed’s back is sore as well.  I rather both players sit out the first preseason game and get healthy but part of me wanted to see them out there.  Whitner and Reed are two of my favorite players on this team because of their leadership and dedication to the Bills.  Wide receiver James Hardy practiced today and should be ready to go on Saturday.  I can’t wait to see how Hardy looks opposite Lee Evans.  Although I think the coaches will put Roscoe Parrish out there with the starting unit.  Can’t wait for Saturday.  Go Bills.

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  The team has reach a contract with 2nd round pick wide receiver James Hardy.  The Bills open training camp tomorrow morning at 8:30.  This is great news because Hardy is going to be looked at as the #2 receiver opposite Lee Evans.  Hardy will do wonders for this offense and it was important for him to be at camp from day one.  The only draft pick that is unsigned is first round pick Leodis McKelvin.  Bills COO Russ Brandon anticipates that McKelvin will be signed real soon.  Look for him to reach an agreement tomorrow.  I cant believe the offseason is over.  Finally.  Go Bills. 

Share This

Hello Bills fans. The team just announced that they have signed third round pick Chris Ellis and sixth round pick Xavier Omon. Ellis will be competing for the fourth defensive end spot. Omon will be competing with Dwayne Wright for the third running back spot. The team now only has Leodis McKelvin and James Hardy to sign as camp opens tomorrow at St. John Fisher. Go Bills.

Share This