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

The Buffalo Bills named their team captains today.  Six were named in all and of the 6 captains, 3 are retutning from last season. 

Lee Evans (offense), Chris Kelsay (defense) and Brain Moorman (special teams) were the 3 captains that were named again for a second straight year.  Second year quaterback Trent Edwards was also named a captain on the offensive side of the ball.  Thrid year saftey Donte Whitner, who has showed great leadership for such a young player will also represent the defense.  George Wilson, the backup saftey was given the 2nd special teams captains role.

All of the players were voted captain by their teammates.

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills defeated the Colts last night at the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  J.P. Losman led the first team offense to two scoring drives.  The most impressive was the 18 play 94 yard which took over 10 minutes off of the clock.  The drive was capped off by a one-yard by rookie Xavier Omon.  Losman looked great in this game.  He made quick decisions and released the ball on time to his wideouts.  Its comforting to know that we have a more than capable backup quarterback.  Losman should good command and only had one bad throw.  Lee Evans and Josh Reed were his go to guys and Justin Jenkins made a nice grab for a first down.  The offensive line played well and gave Losman plenty of time to throw the ball.  Left tackle Langston Walker held Dwight Freeney in check and is getting better at his new position.  It was scary when he left the field but x-rays were negative on his forearm.  I still would love to see Jason Peters report one of these days so Walker could move back to the right side.  The Defense had a fantastic game last night getting four interceptions.  Ashton Youboty, Keith Ellison, John Wendling, and Reggie Corner all had picks on the night.  The defensive line played well and on the first play of the game Chris Kelsay sacked Jared Lorenzen.  I cant wait to see this team hit the field on September 7th.  Check out the highlights of the game on nfl.com.  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.  I was able to watch the first half of tonights game online.  I have to say that the offense has woken up.  Trent Edwards was 9-11 for 104 yards and two td’s.  Robert Royal caught both td passes from Trent on perfectly thrown balls.  Lee Evans had three catches for 55 yards and Marshawn Lynch carried the ball five times for 25 yards.  The offensive line had great push on running plays and protected Trent everytime he dropped back.  The starting defense started a little shaky but rebounded nicely by getting an interception.  The defensive line had great pressure and forced Big Ben to throw into traffic.  The ball was deflected by Ko Simpson into the hands of Donte Whitner.  I know its only preseason but this was the type of play I was looking for.  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.  Today the team started its 2008 training camp.  The guys looked sharp but the most important piece of the offense was not in attendance.  Left tackle Jason Peters was a no-show which does not come as a suprise.  I was hoping that he would make it to camp but he is most likely holding out for more money.  Coach Dick Jauron said that they would love to have him there but will move on.  Backup tackle Kirk Chambers is filling in at left tackle.  I hope this Peters situation gets resolved in the next few days. 

On another note, Lee Evans said that he is hopeful that a contract extension will be reached this summer.  He stated that talks have heated up and are moving in the right direction.  Bills COO Russ Brandon calls Lee one of the core players and wants to keep him in Buffalo long term.  Lets hope this deal gets done before the season starts.  Check out the article on Evans.  

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.  I can’t believe training camp is only five days away.  The only concern I have at this time is that there are still five draft picks unsigned.  Leodis McKelvin, James Hardy, Chris Ellis, Alvin Bowen and Xavier Omon.  I believe Ellis, Bowen and Omon will get signed within the next few days.  McKelvin and Hardy will be more difficult and might miss the beginning of training camp.  The team needs both guys there from day one to learn from the veterans on the team.  Both McKelvin and Hardy will be relied upon to contribute from the start.  I feel that Hardy is the one that we need to have in our starting lineup from week one.  Hardy has the height and ball skills to help this offense in the redzone.  The team needs Hardy to take pressure off of star wide receiver Lee Evans.  If Hardy can develop into a solid threat, look for Evans to have a monster season.  McKelvin will most likely be the nickel corner unless he has a tremendous camp.  Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer are solid and are more than capable starters.  Lets hope everyone is signed and in camp on Friday. 

Share This

Hello Bills fans.  I just came across this article written by Mike Lombardi from sports illustrated listing three non-playoff teams that will make a big leap this season.  Lombardi’s first team is the Bills.  He states that he loves the team and feels that Bills will be a very tough team this year.  He goes on to say that last year with a few bounces here and there the Bills were almost a playoff team.  He lists our playmakers such as Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish.  He also mentions our great special teams and our  bright young quarterback Trent Edwards.  Lombardi is also the guy that said the Bills had a fantastic draft when he was on NFL Network.  Check out the article on SI.com.  Go Bills. 

Share This