2009 Bills Preview: Same Migraine, Different Location

AFC EAST
2. Buffalo Bills
Projected Record: 9-7

Offense: B+
Defense: C+
Coaching: D-

What’s new: Um, have you heard of Terrell Owens? I’m required by NFL mandate to mention Owens as soon as I mention the Bills. In fact, by this time next year, there’s a good chance that the Bills will be renamed the Buffalo Owens (or Toronto Owens). Also new: the lack of a quarterback controversy. What gives?


Sure the Bills as a team have slowly gotten better. But what about T.O.? Have you heard about T.O.? I need more T.O.!

What’s good: Well, the lack of quarterback controversy for one. Finally releasing J.P. Losman to go play in the UFL allows Trent Edwards and the rest of the Bills to finally know who the starting quarterback is. Owens traditionally helps his new team in year one before becoming a destructive force in year two. Along with Owens, the Bills have Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish for Edwards to play with. So there are a lot of weapons. Marcus Stroud on the defensive line was a great addition, and with Aaron Schobel, Paul Posluszny, Kawika Mitchell and Terrence McGee, there should be a bevy of playmakers on that side of the ball.

What’s bad: Dick Jauron is still the head coach. After the Bills got off to a hot start last year, the Wilson family decided it was time for an extension for Jauron. Bad move. The team tanked almost as quickly as the ink dried on the contract. Jauron is an even weaker version of Wade Phillips, so the Jauron-Owens relationship should be a doozy. The Bills line is young and getting better, but is not NFL-ready yet. Edwards better be ready to take some more shots this season. And despite the playmakers on defense, the Bills still have a lot of holes to fill on that side of the ball. The safeties are very weak and there is no depth anywhere on defense. One or two injuries, and this team will be right back to giving up 24 or more points a game.

What to expect: If the line holds, this offense should be fun to watch. Like the Jets, the Bills won’t be able to ease into their schedule. They get to play all three division teams at home late in the season, but that means they’ll have to play all three on the road before their bye week. So that late season home-field advantage may not mean anything. There are too many question marks on the offensive line and defensive backfield for them to be consistent. A 9-7 record seems about right.