Bills Off Season Review Part 1: Tims Grades
By Tim Redinger
The Bills coaching staff: No improvements over last year. Keeping Dick Jauron means that
moderate play calling will continue with only the occasional big play. Poor clock
management as well as game deciding decisions will continue to haunt close Bills games.
DL coach Bill Kollar leaves for similar position in Texas; could possibly be the sign of
troubled times in the front office. Bills replace him with Bob Sanders from Green Bay.
(C+)
Special Teams: Bobby April will continue to be as always one of the best in the league,
McKelvin, Parrish, and McGee biggest trio threat in the league, and then there is always the
unexpected play that seperates the Bills special teams from everyone else (A).
Defense: Still possible players to aquire to add support to defense . So far we are seeing a
very similar defense. Leodis McKelvin should be able to gain even more momentum coming
off an improved second half. Replacing Jabari Greer at Cornerback to help McGee lead the
way is Drayton Florence formerly of Jacksonville and San Diego. Grade B-. If they sign
Crowell or add June (B). Grade could go as high as a B + depending on draft day moves.
Offense – We now are a real NFL team. A holdout, a felon, and a player with an additude
problem that could self destruct the entire locker room. All we need now is a stable
Buffalo/Rochester/Toronto combined big market, another set of major suites, and $50,000
holding fees for season ticket holders. Addition of TO more of a marketing plan, he will be
selfish which will in turn help the team gain an attitude and an edge, but could back fire on
them. With two good backs and a one two punch at reciever in Owens and Evans, and
Geoff Hangartner providing some improvement at the center position, the unknown Jason
Peters situation throws in some definite questions about the Bills ability to protect the
quarterback. The quarterback position was resolved by letting JP Losman walk away; and
bringing in Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills would have been better served by bringing in
someone more veteran, Fitzpatrick is a relative unknown that is probably going to give you
more of the same that Losman provided but without the price tag. The only thing making
this deal look good in Buffalo’s favor is the fact that JP Losman continues to sit unsigned.
Fred Jackson still awaits the long term offer that he wants. Resigning Justin Jenkins
continues to give the Bills depth at WR, but it is unlikely he will get any touches. Keeping
QB Gibran Hamdan gives the Bills a veteran clipboard holder. I give the Bills (C+) The
grade can be improved if they can pull a good DE out of the draft.
Overall – Some improvements but overall same makeup with possibilities in the months
coming up as long as the bills stay healthy overall I’ll give them a (B-), which probably is
not enough to challenge Miami and New England for the top of the division.