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09.09
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Another year of 32 for 31, Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013.
The last time the Buffalo Bills made the playoffs, people were beginning to freak out about Y2K. While the National Football League is full of balance, the Bills are the outlier. The fact they went the first decade of 2000 without a playoff appearance is stunning. They are starting fresh in 2013. Chan Gailey is no longer the head coach and Ryan Fitzpatrick is not longer the quarterback. New head coach Doug Marrone and new quarterbacks E.J. Manuel or Kevin Kolb will try to bring this team back to glory. The odds of it actually happening this year is probably slim, but the future seems brighter than past years.
OFFENSE If Marrone wants to be successful early, the key will be running the football. The Bills definitely have the offensive line and running backs to do it. Sure, they lost Andy Levitre at guard, but they have the likes of Cordy Glenn, Eric Wood and Kraig Urbik. The running backs might be the strongest point of the Bills offense with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. One of the biggest criticisms of Gailey was his inept decision-making with Spiller and not utilizing him to the best of Spiller's abilities. If Marrone uses all of C.J.'s abilities, the Bills will be a better team without question.
The quarterback battle between Manuel and Kolb is off to a weird start. Bills camp reported today Kolb slipped on a wet track moving from fields and now has to get his knee checked out so we will see what the status of that injury will be for him, let's say it is not severe for the purpose of the article. In recent years, teams have went with the rookie and endured the consequences. If Marrone goes with Manuel, so be it but do not change your mind four weeks into the season. That is a surefire way to screw with E.J.'s head.
No matter the quarterback, they will have a solid wide receiving core with Stevie Johnson, one of the more underrated players in the NFL, and then the Bills added two rookies who could really provide some excitement with Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. They have a steady tight end as well in Scott Chandler.
DEFENSE
The quarterback battle between Manuel and Kolb is off to a weird start. Bills camp reported today Kolb slipped on a wet track moving from fields and now has to get his knee checked out so we will see what the status of that injury will be for him, let's say it is not severe for the purpose of the article. In recent years, teams have went with the rookie and endured the consequences. If Marrone goes with Manuel, so be it but do not change your mind four weeks into the season. That is a surefire way to screw with E.J.'s head.
No matter the quarterback, they will have a solid wide receiving core with Stevie Johnson, one of the more underrated players in the NFL, and then the Bills added two rookies who could really provide some excitement with Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. They have a steady tight end as well in Scott Chandler.
DEFENSE
People might have been overly critical of Mario Williams' season. They act like he was supposed to be Lawrence Taylor and did not realize he still had over 10 sacks. Williams will look to build on that this season. They have a loaded defensive line with Williams, Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams. Not many teams will be running the ball against those three behemoths. Additionally, they will probably help their sorest spot on defense, the linebackers paving the way for them to make easier tackles. Manny Lawson coming from Cincinnati will definitely help the linebacker situation and make it difficult for offenses when they have Lawson/Williams lined up or Lawson/Dareus.
One of the major storylines for the Bills training camp is Jairus Byrd is still absent from camp. He wants a long-term deal and is currently holding out. The safety is one of the best in the league, but seems upset he received the franchise tag over the offseason. This will be year two of Stephon Gilmore so we should see some improvement from him and it is probably the last season Leodis McKelvin has to truly show himself.
One of the major storylines for the Bills training camp is Jairus Byrd is still absent from camp. He wants a long-term deal and is currently holding out. The safety is one of the best in the league, but seems upset he received the franchise tag over the offseason. This will be year two of Stephon Gilmore so we should see some improvement from him and it is probably the last season Leodis McKelvin has to truly show himself.
SPECIAL TEAMS
They have a kicking competition going on right now between Dustin Hopkins, a rookie and Rian Lindell, the longtime Bills kicker. Shawn Powell is doing their punting, but it is not that strong. They do have great returners in McKelvin, one of the best punt returners in the league and the addition of Brad Smith will only help things.
KEY ADDITIONS
LB Manny Lawson, DT Alan Branch, LB Jerry Hughes, QB Kevin Kolb - A quiet offseason, but Lawson could have a major impact. Hughes is a former first round pick looking for redemption.
KEY DEPARTURES
G Andy Levitre, LB Nick Barnett, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Donald Jones, LB Kelvin Sheppard, S George Wilson
BILLS DRAFT PICKS
QB E.J. Manuel, WR Robert Woods, LB Kiko Alonso, WR Marquise Goodwin, DB Duke Williams, DB Jonathan Meeks, K Dustin Hopkins, TE Chris Gragg - We mentioned most of these but Alonso is an interesting pick in the third round, a guy who probably goes higher if he did not have multiple legal issues in college.
GAME TO WATCH
September 29th - vs. Baltimore 12 pm: Never forget the Bills always play better at home as well as they usually start out strong. The Ravens should be on upset alert.
PREDICTION
5 to 7 wins - I do not think the Bills will make the playoffs for the 14th straight year, but the future will look extremely bright as they will have some encouraging wins this year.
Charlie.
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