REAL GM Bills Preview

[JPL7]

http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_arc..._buffalo_bills/

 

QB: A lot of the disappointment of 2009 centered on Trent Edwards’ failure to develop into a franchise QB. Rather than seek out an upgrade via trade or in the draft, the Bills enter camp with a three-headed monster of Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm.

 

Early reports indicate Brohm has the upper hand, though that is more a reflection on how little Fitzpatrick and Edwards have performed than anything Brohm has done. Brohm is a 2008 2nd round pick of the Packers who quickly washed out of Green Bay, and he looked pedestrian in limited duty last year. But he has the best touch and most upside of the group, and showed off a quicker release during OTAs. I held him in high regard during that draft, and the anticipated offense here in Buffalo is similar to what he ran at Louisville.

 

Fitzpatrick and Edwards put up eerily similar lackluster numbers while juggling the starting job last year. The team clearly responded better to Fitzpatrick, a workaholic who buzzes with enthusiasm and is more likely to produce something dramatic. Bills insiders maintain that Edwards must win the starting job or else he’s not going to make the team, and the latter sure seems the most likely outcome. His lack of arm strength and failure to show any sort of leadership or passion are not going to change in Buffalo.

 

Ideally, all three QBs on the roster are backups on good teams and this position must be addressed next offseason, barring an unexpected breakout from Brohm. But Coach Chan Gailey has found NFL success in the past by tailoring his offense to what his limited QBs do well (see: Quincy Carter and Tyler Thigpen, whom is available via trade). As long as the turnovers are kept to a minimum and whoever wins the gig can complete 60% of the passes, not to mention stay poised and upright behind a seriously deficient OL, the Bills have enough explosiveness at RB to stay competitive.

 

Read more: http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_arc.../#ixzz0tyJ8W2Ew

[boyst]

The way I see it is that next year there could be a lot of crow to eat by all of these articles posted by "experts." If Brohm prevails in this battle than how good will our team be? I am not knocking Brohm as much as I am the past years of on the field play. Trent, Fitz, Brohm or someone else will take our snaps. When we do well next year no one will write down how wrong they were on this team. When we do not do well and all three fail do these guys just say "Well, it's Buffalo, they're just not that good, anyway." If Brohm becomes our starting QB he will fair no better than any of the other QB's on our roster. Gailey's offense, combined with the makeup of our team, will over shadow all of the talents of our QB.

 

I am an optomist and think we will win 8 or 9 games this year. I believe that every year.

[BADOLBILZ]

The way I see it is that next year there could be a lot of crow to eat by all of these articles posted by "experts."

 

I am an optomist and think we will win 8 or 9 games this year. I believe that every year.

 

You must have some really good recipes for crow by now.

[crazyDingo]

Good article.

[hondo in seattle]

This is a more intelligent article than often appears in the national press but I do disagree with a couple points including the 2010 prediction.

 

The articles finishes, "I have major reservations about the passing offense, the OL, the pass rush, and just the overall level of talent everywhere except RB and DB... Buffalo finishes 3-13 and gets to pick in the top 3 in the 2011 draft."

 

All the reservations the author has were problem last year as well and the Bills still finished 6-10. With better coaching and fewer injuries (cross my fingers), the Bills ought to be better, not worse.

[Pilsner]

This is a more intelligent article than often appears in the national press but I do disagree with a couple points including the 2010 prediction.

 

The articles finishes, "I have major reservations about the passing offense, the OL, the pass rush, and just the overall level of talent everywhere except RB and DB... Buffalo finishes 3-13 and gets to pick in the top 3 in the 2011 draft."

 

All the reservations the author has were problem last year as well and the Bills still finished 6-10. With better coaching and fewer injuries (cross my fingers), the Bills ought to be better, not worse.

 

 

It can't be stated more clearly than how you put it.

[San-O]

This doesn't sound good at at regarding Bell:

 

Demetrius Bell is a raw young prospect, best known for being Karl Malone’s son. He has great potential, an impressive blend of size, strength, and agility, but at times it looks like he’s never seen a football game before. Gailey has spoken quite highly of Bell this offseason, clearly trying to bolster the young man’s confidence. His status is complicated by the torn ACL that ended his 2009, an injury that will likely keep him out until August at the earliest. His development is critical but also highly questionable, as he has not displayed the greatest work habits or maturity and has been slow to absorb coaching.

 

Read more: http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_arc.../#ixzz0tzSMK600

 

 

Yikes.

[Typical TBD Guy]

This doesn't sound good at at regarding Bell:

 

Demetrius Bell is a raw young prospect, best known for being Karl Malone’s son. He has great potential, an impressive blend of size, strength, and agility, but at times it looks like he’s never seen a football game before. Gailey has spoken quite highly of Bell this offseason, clearly trying to bolster the young man’s confidence. His status is complicated by the torn ACL that ended his 2009, an injury that will likely keep him out until August at the earliest. His development is critical but also highly questionable, as he has not displayed the greatest work habits or maturity and has been slow to absorb coaching.

 

Read more: http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_arc.../#ixzz0tzSMK600

 

 

Yikes.

 

Yikes is right. At this point, it looks like Meredith will win the starting LT spot this year. Imagine that: two ex-Green Bay practice squaders, Brohm and Meredith, set to start at two of the most important positions on our team.

[DarthICE]

The sooner Edwards is off this roster, the better

[JohnC]

The sooner Edwards is off this roster, the better

 

The sooner Edwards is named the starter, the sooner you will go crazy.

[DarthICE]

The sooner Edwards is named the starter, the sooner you will go crazy.

 

 

Yeah because I am tired of seeing this team suck. I am tired of the Bills putting **** out there posing as QB's and I am tired of wasting years on assclowns that obviously suck and everyone but the most ignorant homer can see it.

[Buftex]

This is a more intelligent article than often appears in the national press but I do disagree with a couple points including the 2010 prediction.

 

The articles finishes, "I have major reservations about the passing offense, the OL, the pass rush, and just the overall level of talent everywhere except RB and DB... Buffalo finishes 3-13 and gets to pick in the top 3 in the 2011 draft."

All the reservations the author has were problem last year as well and the Bills still finished 6-10. With better coaching and fewer injuries (cross my fingers), the Bills ought to be better, not worse.

 

 

Don't forget, the Bills are switching defensive schemes...whether they are better, or not, IMO, largely will depend on how smooth that transition goes.

[billsfan89]

Fitz will start mark my words. Edwards will be cut and a vet QB will be brought in to mentor the bunch. Brohm will start a few games in so as not to rush him in (Unless Fitz plays well or the team is winning behind him). Fitz has some mobility which works well with Gailey's system and has starts under his belt. Brohm will be the guy once Fitz fails but I don't think they want to rush Brohm in.

[DarthICE]

Fitz will start mark my words. Edwards will be cut and a vet QB will be brought in to mentor the bunch. Brohm will start a few games in so as not to rush him in (Unless Fitz plays well or the team is winning behind him). Fitz has some mobility which works well with Gailey's system and has starts under his belt. Brohm will be the guy once Fitz fails but I don't think they want to rush Brohm in.

 

We can always hope

[Thurman#1]

This is a more intelligent article than often appears in the national press but I do disagree with a couple points including the 2010 prediction.

 

The articles finishes, "I have major reservations about the passing offense, the OL, the pass rush, and just the overall level of talent everywhere except RB and DB... Buffalo finishes 3-13 and gets to pick in the top 3 in the 2011 draft."

 

All the reservations the author has were problem last year as well and the Bills still finished 6-10. With better coaching and fewer injuries (cross my fingers), the Bills ought to be better, not worse.

 

 

 

Conveniently, you're ignoring the fact that we're switching to a new system on offense and defense and that the defenders in particular don't fit the system. As the article points out, it's OLBs that are the key to a 3 - 4 defense, and we don't look to have any.

 

Also, you're overlooking that WR looked like a real strength last year. Not so much this year. And that we at least had one guy last year who was a genuinely good pass rusher, and none this year.

 

Throw in new systems and what looks like a significantly harder schedule this year, and 3 - 13 is very possible indeed.

 

This team doesn't look like it has the same weaknesses as it did last year. It looks like it has more.

[Omar Little]

Fitz will start mark my words.

 

The Bills will be impossible to root for if you're right. I loathe Ryan Fitzpatrick.

[Rob's House]

The Bills will be impossible to root for if you're right. I loathe Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

This isn't the first time you've said that. Why the hatred? Is it his play or something else?

[justnzane]

i honestly think this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I took a look at 3 specific parts Quarterback, DL, and specialists.

 

In the QB section he says the Brohm has the upper hand based ib early reports. What reports is he referring to?

 

In the DL package, he was mostly right. Except for discussing Kyle Williams saying that he played 3 technique last year (erroneous) and couldn't play at 1 technique which he did last year.

 

In ST's he mentions how Bobby April is a great coach, and will be missed. He fails to recognize that DeHaven is widely regarded as another great ST coach.

 

Maybe I caught him on 3 areas he really didn't know and the rest of the piece is Pulitzer Prize worthy, but chances are that he is no more or less educated about the team any other football writer on the web

[Fixxxer]

i honestly think this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I took a look at 3 specific parts Quarterback, DL, and specialists.

 

In the QB section he says the Brohm has the upper hand based ib early reports. What reports is he referring to?

 

In the DL package, he was mostly right. Except for discussing Kyle Williams saying that he played 3 technique last year (erroneous) and couldn't play at 1 technique which he did last year.

 

In ST's he mentions how Bobby April is a great coach, and will be missed. He fails to recognize that DeHaven is widely regarded as another great ST coach.

 

Maybe I caught him on 3 areas he really didn't know and the rest of the piece is Pulitzer Prize worthy, but chances are that he is no more or less educated about the team any other football writer on the web

 

I liked the article overall, but there are some comments here and there that has me questioning if this is a very opiniated article or he knows something we don't.

 

1) Brohm having the upper hand and Edwards possibly being cut if he is not the starter.

With Gailey being very hermetic about this whole QB ordeal I doubt this guy knows more than me or you about it.

 

2) "He has asked to be traded but the Bills have found no suitors. Former Colts back Chad Simpson, who figures in the mix at return specialist, will be given every chance to take Lynch’s #3 RB job"

Nix was very clear in his intention to trade Lynch, with were zero, regardless of Lynch's wishes. He is in the plans for this year and the future.

 

3) about Bell: "His development is critical but also highly questionable, as he has not displayed the greatest work habits or maturity and has been slow to absorb coaching."

How the hell does this guy know Bell's work habits? How does he knows bell is well, dumb? For better or worse I never heard/read anything about him being that way.

[Green Lightning]

i honestly think this guy doesn't know what he is talking about, I took a look at 3 specific parts Quarterback, DL, and specialists.

 

In the QB section he says the Brohm has the upper hand based ib early reports. What reports is he referring to?

 

In the DL package, he was mostly right. Except for discussing Kyle Williams saying that he played 3 technique last year (erroneous) and couldn't play at 1 technique which he did last year.

 

In ST's he mentions how Bobby April is a great coach, and will be missed. He fails to recognize that DeHaven is widely regarded as another great ST coach.

 

Maybe I caught him on 3 areas he really didn't know and the rest of the piece is Pulitzer Prize worthy, but chances are that he is no more or less educated about the team any other football writer on the web

 

 

You may not agree with him but it's a well reasoned piece and a far cut above most national writers. He was a NFL scout and that lends some cred to his opinions. Hope he's wrong but it is a good read.