Improvements should bolster a promising Buffalo offense

By Anthony Bialy  |   Thursday, August 02, 2007  |  Comments( 34 )

Buffalo Bills
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Don't bother asking Bills fans which one area needs improvement if the team is to better its 2006 results, as the guaranteed answer is run defense. It is true that curtailing opposing rushers is the single most glaringly troublesome aspect Buffalo needs to fix between now and the Sept. 9 regular-season opener. At the same time, accusing the rush defenders of being the weakest link is also a tacit acknowledgment that the offense is not viewed as a liability.

Still, while there are fewer worries on offense than there are regarding the defenders, there are a handful of concerns. Is the new starting rusher, Marshawn Lynch, going to live up to his draft position? Will Lee Evans' fellow receivers draw at least some attention away from the one genuine wideout threat? And can the unit stop acting so dysfunctional and uncoordinated just because it passes its adversary's 20-yard line? Luckily, management kept positive performers and replaced some of the loafers, giving hope to those who were at least mildly impressed by what they saw in 2006.

The best reason to expect the offense to be superior this season is the fact that everyone should have more time and room to operate if the investment in blocking pays off. The offseason signaled a new concentration in philosophy led by General Manager Marv Levy: He knows the 'O' goes nowhere without five mean, dominating slabs up front, or at least three or four.

A Ferrari won't get you anywhere without gas in the tank, and adding Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker was the equivalent of acknowledging that the line is the most fundamentally crucial component to success while altering the previous regime's focus on flash without foundation. Walker is literally a huge project, and fans hope that coaching wizard Jim McNally will be able to get him to meet his potential so he can serve as a right-side cornerstone. Even greater dominance should be expected from free agent prize Dockery, who ought to bring some much-needed nastiness to the line, especially at his price (seven years, $49 million). I'd rather cross Vic Mackey than be a defensive lineman in the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Dockery's path.

On the other hand, the leftover components of last season's line are a slightly mixed bag. At the high end, it's unfair to other human beings that Jason Peters can simultaneously be so strong, quick and agile; he's nothing short of a virtually impassable roadblock guarding J.P. Losman's blind side. He's gone from freakish but still raw athlete to All-Pro candidate in a remarkably short time, a credit both to the coaches and his work ethic.

Meanwhile, on the spectrum's lower point, center Melvin Fowler wasn't overwhelmingly impressive last season, and the hope is that he can at least hold his own while the new additions force their will on defenses. To his right, extensively varying opinions about Duke Preston divide followers of the Bills, but some are optimistic that he'll be able to put his uniquely desirable combination of strength and quickness to good use.

Getting sheltered in the pocket should help Losman build upon what was a noteworthy first full season. One can be impressed when looking at his yardage, completion percentage and rating from '06, but what really stood out was watching him operate with poise as he took control of the offense. His fourth-quarter comebacks served as exciting evidence that this team is guided by a confidently capable quarterback, and enhanced protection could lead to better accuracy on shorter routes, an area where the young signal-caller could improve. Losman has already showed a fair amount, and some refinements along with a little help from his blockers and catchers could allow him to display much more.

Also aiding the passing game will be the new rusher, both indirectly by drawing attention from defenders and directly by fielding throws. Lynch, a first-round pick, is a slick back who has the speed and patience to get to the periphery quickly and then up field. Also, his pass-catching abilities bring a new dimension to the offense. That said, Lynch isn't a steamroller whose primary strength is overcoming repeated collisions, and he'll need to be spelled at least occasionally. Serving that need will be either Anthony Thomas, Dwayne Wright or a combination of both, as they will attempt to let Lynch rest while they change the pace and bring a more bruise-centric approach to the ground game.

And, unlike as with Willis McGahee, who was unable to get 4 yards per carry last season because of all that baggage he was carrying, no member of the current stable of backs seems to possess the same astounding ego the current Raven does. It's refreshing what you can gain by losing something, isn't it, Bills fans?

When it comes to gaining ground by air, unfortunately the only committee member who did his part last season was Evans. Finishing just out of the top five in the NFL for receiving with 1,292 yards is impressive enough, but the fact Evans did it on a team without anything close to a legitimate second pass-catching threat made his year astounding. Now, what he needs is someone to step out of the muck and draw at least a bit of attention from the opposing secondary.

Peerless Price synced with Losman in flashes, and a more consistency in stretching his side of the field during the second season of his second stint with Buffalo would benefit the offense immeasurably.

Also, Roscoe Parrish, who's looked great in camp, has already displayed the speed which could make him an ideal threat from the slot, and his rocket-like nature and willingness to head into the middle of defenders to make catches means he is a candidate for having more passes thrown his way.

Josh Reed is, well, a good blocker, and more receptions than the 34 he managed last year would be nice from a second-rounder who's now been in the league for a half-decade. At the least, he could continue to get more first downs with his catches, his most notable ability.

For fans, it would also be nice to see tight ends incorporated into the aerial attack in order to make pass defenders have to cover more of the turf. Robert Royal is better served by blocking first, but even then he still grabbed 23 passes in 2006 and could be looked upon to do more for this aspect of the game than protect his quarterback.

The oft-injured Kevin Everett could also be used to threaten the field as a receiver; however, first he must deliver on the capabilities he displayed in college during camp, which hasn't happened yet thus far. He's also facing competition from Brad Cieslak and draftee Derek Schouman, both of whom could be additionally used as H-backs in the team's new mold for a blocking back.

That kind of versatility is a trend for the Bills' offense, which plans to feature a multifaceted rookie running back, linemen adept at both pass protection and run grinding, as well as receivers with widely differing talents. Add a slightly cocky quarterback with a powerful arm who has the ability to take an occasional scramble, and the elements are present for an upbeat outlook for the 2007 Bills when they have the ball.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (34)

About Anthony Bialy

I'm just here to submit columns.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 34  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Bleed Bills Blue		07:55 AM
08/02/2007
Implicit in your first paragraph is the significant point that, this season, the biggest shot in the arm for the defense may well...
No.2
Cinga		09:06 AM
08/02/2007
I agree with BBB... But also encouraging for the offense this year, are reports that both Parrish, and Everett are having strong...
No.3
Steve		09:09 AM
08/02/2007
A lot has been said about the competition at right guard between Preston and Whittle, but I agree that Fowler is also a concern....
Team News  |  View All Bills Content
Manning to the Bills?
Why not? Now that the Colts have rid themselves of the Polian family,...
3 weeks, 1 day ago   |   Manning to the Bills? ( 256 )
Nix needs to fix the Bills p...
In 2010, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey were banking on Aaron Schobel to tr...
3 weeks, 3 days ago   |   Nix needs to fix the Bills pass rushing problems ( 28 )
Stop the Revolving Door!
Wade Phillips, current Texans D- Coordinator - Playoffs. Mike Mularkey...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Stop the Revolving Door! ( 191 )
Is a Bills Succession Plan g...
In the wake of talks from NFL experts stating that there are going to...
1 month, 1 week ago   |   Is a Bills Succession Plan going to take effect in 2012? ( 89 )
Bills 1st half results
Last year after 8 games, the Bills were a miserable 0-8. This year aft...
3 months ago   |   Bills 1st half results ( 625 )