Buffalo Bills making the Grade – Off

Aug 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone on the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Buffalo defeats Indianapolis 44-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday finished off opening preseason weekend for the NFL. The Bills were the last game and I said in my preview outlook that all eyes would be on them.  They ran over the Colts 44-20.  This couldn’t have been a better opening statement.  If they are able to keep it up, we might have something to get excited about on Sunday’s as Bills fans.

Grading the Bills and how they preformed is always a challenege, but we are going to start.

Starting with the Coaching staff: Kept the pace of play up and able to get two rookie QBs to look like they had been in the league for years running this offense.  It wasn’t a very complicated offense but run almost to perfection.  A-.

QBs – Manuel looked shaky in the beginning and short armed some throws, missed a couple of targets and didn’t take a chance long.  He did find his rhythm, it seemed, after his long run for a first down.  After that he was pin point.  Jeff Tuel looked better than Manuel did and took some chances down the field and throws a pretty ball.  He was on the money and was hitting both short and medium routes.  Grade B+.

RBs – Spiller looked amazing as always and the excitement is already running high.  Spiller did get excited and fumbled the ball without being hit.  Jackson looked like he was a step slower and wasn’t moving the way I remember.  Still he did ok and made a couple of things happen.  Nothing to flashy or terrible either.  Choice, Brown, and Gaskins did not really impress at all for a running game.  They were able to move the ball at times, but seemed to be stopped just as much.  Backups will be backups and beggars can’t be choosers when you have a guy like Spiller starting it off and setting the tone.  Grade: B-

TEs- Gragg made a couple of good catches.  Dickerson stole the show with a couple of catches on the 2 minute drive at the end of the second half to finish it off with a TD.  Other than that, Lee I don’t think was mentioned at all except in the line-up announcements.  Definitely missed Chandler being out their but still a presence for the other TEs that played.  Grade: B-

WRs – Without Stevie Johnson in the mix yesterday, the Bills gave their rookie stars a chance to shine.  Woods looked excellent and showed his speed.  Goodwin, I don’t think got a pass but we are going to include him here with his special teams returned.  Two returns for 160 yards and 1 TD.  Ill take that any day of the week. Hogan got some looks and didn’t look to bad as did Kaufman and Sampson.  Rogers even got into the mix late in the game and made a good catch on a slant route.  Overall the WR crew is not in as bad of shape as one would think with the youth we have at that spot.  Grade: B   Goodwin: A+ All Day Long!

OL – I have to say, one thing I did notice is that the OL did not give up sack or very much pressure with Manuel in the pocket.  That is very hopeful and brings some excitement to the game.  When he did get pressured, Manuel was moving.  The OL did break down a bit with Tuel at the helm, but it was not an every other play thing that we are used to here in Buffalo during the preseason.  Besides, Legursky, I think this OL is the most complete that we have had over the past several years coming into a season.  Good blocking on both pass and run.  Grade: B+

Overall Offensive Grade: B+