Buffalo Bills Offseason Grades: Offensive Line
By Cam Boon
If there was a most improved award given out for each team, I would have to argue that the offensive line would get that. From an atrocious 2014 season to a pretty good 2015 season as far as both pass and run blocking are concerned, but there is still work to be done with this unit.
Without a doubt, the signing of guard Richie Incognito changed this line, as he made both Cordy Glenn and Eric Wood better, both of whom are on each side of the guard with a questionable past. Most people saw this signing as a bad one, and that Rex Ryan was taking his “bully” mentality and making it a reality as Incognito was accused of this in Miami.
This was not the case. Instead, he blocked for the league’s best rushing offense in 2015, a number that ranked in the bottom quarter of the league last season, depending on what number you look at. Granted, the adding of LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams and a mobile quarterback in Tyrod Taylor helped with that number, but anybody who watched every game this season could see a difference.
There were some games where Taylor was running for his life, but he was able to do that on occasion so it bailed the offensive line out. They actually allowed more sacks this season, but when Taylor runs and doesn’t get back to the line, that is listed as a sack. So how many true passing sacks the defense had would be a number to go back and research.
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The left side of the line has much praise and needs to be kept intact for the 2016 season, something that Doug Whaley has also stressed. The right side of the line, however, is something that needs to be put back together.
John Miller gets a pass in my book because he was a rookie, but if he cannot stay healthy next season, they will need a competent backup to come in. He also needs to cut down on the holding penalties. As far as Seantrel Henderson is concerned, I really would prefer to not see him in a Bills uniform next season. He was blown up play after play and was the attacking point for many defenses this season.
When there is that big of a talent difference between your linemen, there is going to be one method of attack from defensive coordinators and we saw it at times this season. When Taylor was under pressure and had to scramble, 95% of the time it was the right side of the line.
So, while they anchored the league’s best rushing attack that I expect to be back next season, the Bills still need work on their offensive line to gain more consistency in both phases of offense.
Grade: B-