How do we compare to the Jets and Dolphins?

[billsfan89]

I think that the best question we have when examining wither we will make the playoffs is are we better than the Jets and or the Dolphins. I think that the Dolphins will take a step back after the two steps up. They improved along the offensive line and in their secondary. They return a good front seven but the front seven is a little older and more likely to take a step down.

 

The Dolphins weakness is really their offense. Chad pennington is always due for an injury and they have no wide outs. They also won't have the surprise of the wildcat. I think the Fins go 8-8 they have the defense but not the offensive fire power.

 

The Jets have a really good defense and a good coach to lead it. Yet their offense may be the worst in the division. They don't have the wide receivers and their QB is a rookie. They also have an aging o-line as well. The Jets go 7-9 they take a step back to develop a QB.

 

Now the Bills, I think that our defense ( this is if we get Pisa ) is a solid unit. A very good secondary and a slightly above average front seven. The bills offense may have the best skill position players and the worst o-line in the division. Trent is a injury case who is boom or bust. I think that its close but the Bills will be 9-7 or 10-6 and end up better than the Fins and Jets

 

The X-factor is coaching. Will Ryan be a hit or a miss for the Jets and is Sporano a one hit wounder or a real good coach. With Jauron we may have the worst coach in the division.

[loyal2dagame]

i think the more important question is how do we compete with the patriots.

 

i think the bills are better than the fish and jets on paper and on the field

[The Jokeman]

I think that the best question we have when examining wither we will make the playoffs is are we better than the Jets and or the Dolphins. I think that the Dolphins will take a step back after the two steps up. They improved along the offensive line and in their secondary. They return a good front seven but the front seven is a little older and more likely to take a step down.

 

The Dolphins weakness is really their offense. Chad pennington is always due for an injury and they have no wide outs. They also won't have the surprise of the wildcat. I think the Fins go 8-8 they have the defense but not the offensive fire power.

 

The Jets have a really good defense and a good coach to lead it. Yet their offense may be the worst in the division. They don't have the wide receivers and their QB is a rookie. They also have an aging o-line as well. The Jets go 7-9 they take a step back to develop a QB.

 

Now the Bills, I think that our defense ( this is if we get Pisa ) is a solid unit. A very good secondary and a slightly above average front seven. The bills offense may have the best skill position players and the worst o-line in the division. Trent is a injury case who is boom or bust. I think that its close but the Bills will be 9-7 or 10-6 and end up better than the Fins and Jets

 

The X-factor is coaching. Will Ryan be a hit or a miss for the Jets and is Sporano a one hit wounder or a real good coach. With Jauron we may have the worst coach in the division.

Pennington is a savy veteran who is a proven winner in this league and he's now in his second year with his new team one would think he might improve. So I still think Miami's better then us until we can show we can beat them on the field. The Jets however think are going to take a few steps back starting a rookie at QB and losing Lavernous Coles. That said their defense might be better but still think we hold an edge over them but there's still a chance we could split our series with them. Yet with the Patriots to me still far and away the best team in this division which means we have to contend with teams like the Dolphins/Colts/Titans/Jaguars (I think Torry Holt could be the WR they've needed since losing Jimmy Smith)/Bengals (with a healthy Carson Palmer) for a Wild Card spot which is going to be tough. While there's a good chance we could go 10-6 I have doubts especially after last season when thought 10-6 was realistic as well but some how managed to go 7-9 again.

[billsfan89]

Penning is a savy veteran who is a proven winner in this league. So I still think Miami's better then us. The Jets however think are going to take a few steps back starting a rookie at QB and losing Lavernous Coles. That said their defense might be better but think we hold an edge over them. Yet the patriots are still far and away the best team in this division which means we have to contend with teams like the Dolphins/Colts/Titans/Jaguars/Bengals (with a healthy Carson Palmer) for a Wild Card spot. While there's a good chance we could go 10-6 I have doubts especially after last season when thought 10-6 was realistic as well but some how managed to go 7-9 again.

 

Yeah Pennington is a very good QB when healthy but just when you think he has put to rest his health concerns he goes out and gets injured. There is a reason he is a two time comeback player of the year. But its a lack of confidence in Pennington's health and the fact that they did little to address their lack of WR's and the highly likely possibility of Joey Porter not having the same year is a few more issues the Fins have.

 

I would take Edwards over the Fins backup by a long shot. I would even take Fitzpatrick over Chad Henne for a win now situation.

[The Jokeman]

Yeah Pennington is a very good QB when healthy but just when you think he has put to rest his health concerns he goes out and gets injured. There is a reason he is a two time comeback player of the year. But its a lack of confidence in Pennington's health and the fact that they did little to address their lack of WR's and the highly likely possibility of Joey Porter not having the same year is a few more issues the Fins have.

 

I would take Edwards over the Fins backup by a long shot. I would even take Fitzpatrick over Chad Henne for a win now situation.

Yes, Pennington health is an issue but again assuming he stays healthy then the Dolphins are better then us. In terms of Porter let's not forget they just brought Jason Taylor back to the mix. Who to me is arguable better then any DE/OLB on the entire Bills roster.

[BBills14]

I am scared of the jets this year...creating a ravens type mold is not good for anyone

[The Jokeman]

I am scared of the jets this year...creating a ravens type mold is not good for anyone

I respect Rex Ryan as a D-cordinator but to me the Jets lack a leader in their defense (see Ray Ray), an Ed Reed type and a pass rusher in the mold of Terrell Suggs. Toss in rookie QBs winning is an exception to the rule not the norm like we saw last year so wouldn't be shocked to see them go 5-11. That said again wouldn't be shocked to see them beat us at least once.

[billsfan89]

I am scared of the jets this year...creating a ravens type mold is not good for anyone

 

Well the Jets do scare me but not this year their QB and skill position players just aren't there. Next year they will concern me as long as their o-line doesn't fall apart. I think if Sanchez develops into a great QB they can spend their next off season on getting the targets for him

 

But yeah this year they just don't scare me

[BBills14]

Well the Jets do scare me but not this year their QB and skill position players just aren't there. Next year they will concern me as long as their o-line doesn't fall apart. I think if Sanchez develops into a great QB they can spend their next off season on getting the targets for him

 

But yeah this year they just don't scare me

 

very true....we will just have to see...it is nice that coles is gone that should be nice. But again look at baltimore, run run run and a solid defense. We will have to see.

[rackemrack]

the jets and dolphins suck

 

so do the patriots

 

i see at least 3 wins in division games this year...

[thewildrabbit]

Two words... Pat White! One word...Wildcat

 

The Dolphins just got Jason Taylor back and Joey Porter with his 17 sacks last season will now play every down instead of part time.

 

My take is the Dolphins and Pats will battle for the division and the Jets and Bills will battle for the better draft pick. With a complete overhaul of that O line spells DISASTER for Buffalo, even with TO. Unless the Bills find a way to get more experience on that line they are doomed with Schonert calling constant pass plays.

[colin]

we are better than both of those teams.

 

we can run on them, we can pass on them, we can (now) rush them as they pass, and our secondary matches up well with their thin skill talent.

 

we pwn them on special teams. 4-0 vs them this year.

[OrangeJuiceSimpson]

How can you guys say we are flat out better than these teams? Not only did they have better records than us last season but they each beat us twice. I think the dolphins are going to be as good as they were last year if not better. And if Sanchez can perform the Jets could be a playoff team.

[rackemrack]

How can you guys say we are flat out better than these teams? Not only did they have better records than us last season but they each beat us twice. I think the dolphins are going to be as good as they were last year if not better. And if Sanchez can perform the Jets could be a playoff team.

 

but the jets and dolphins suck

[billsfan89]

Two words... Pat White! One word...Wildcat

 

The Dolphins just got Jason Taylor back and Joey Porter with his 17 sacks last season will now play every down instead of part time.

 

My take is the Dolphins and Pats will battle for the division and the Jets and Bills will battle for the better draft pick. With a complete overhaul of that O line spells DISASTER for Buffalo, even with TO. Unless the Bills find a way to get more experience on that line they are doomed with Schonert calling constant pass plays.

 

Jason Taylor is an upgrade but there is no way Joey Porter is the same player he was last year. Porter is 32 and while he will have a good year he is not going to have 17 sacks. He will be a 8-10 sack guy good but not great. and Pat White doesn't have the element of surprise the wildcat will be defended much better this year teams will find the blue print to stop it, that is if they haven't already found it.

 

You are right though despite our awesome skill position players we have an o-line that sports three new starters and the other two will have a shift in position. Our o-line is a crap shoot and its weighted to struggle early on.

[Justice]

I believe it comes down to whomever has the most questions unanswered for the upcoming season. Other than special teams, the Bills aren't set anywhere on the football field. Without even taking count, I know the Bills have the most questionable roster in the AFC East, by far.

 

Let's take a look.

 

Buffalo

 

1. Can Trent take the next step?

2. Can the offensive line gel in time for the start of regular season?

3. Can T.O. perform well at the age of 36 and will he behave?

4. Is Schouman/Nelson ready to start at TE?

5. Will Maybin be NFL ready as a rook?

6. Will Schobel regain his old form?

7. Can Pos take his game to the next level?

8. Will anyone emerge as a viable starter at Ellison's OLB position?

9. Now that McKelvin is a full time starter, will he be an upgrade over Greer?

10. Are we finally set at safety after having drafted Byrd to play FS?

11. Can Trent stay healthy?

12. How will the Bills perform without Lynch the first three weeks?

 

That makes 12 questions the Bills need answered on the football field. Too many, if you ask me. A team needs to have some certainty to be able to compete in a division as tough as ours.

 

 

Miami

 

1. Will the wildcat still be effective?

2. Can Pennington stay healthy?

3. Will someone step up at receiver?

4. Can Taylor, Porter, and Ferguson hold up another year in their front seven?

5. Is their secondary good enough to compete?

 

Overall, the Dolphins are a well built team. Parcells fixed both defensive and offensive lines last year and that's where football games are won.

 

 

New York

 

1. Who will be their QB and is he ready? This is a huge question, IMO. Worth more than one point, if you ask me.

2. Do they have an adequate second or even first receiver?

3. How will the defense adapt to the new scheme brought in by Ryan?

4. Can they get to the quarterback on defense?

 

New York can easily be the worst team in our division or finish in second. It all hinges on the QB's play.

 

 

New England

 

1. Is Brady ready?

2. Can their aging veterans hold up another season?

3. Who will step up in the secondary?

 

That's about it for the Pats*. This team will be scary if Brady returns like the Brady we all know and hate.

 

 

Having said all of that, I haven't even touched on the coaching aspect of the game, where the Bills are most likely the worst at in the East. Our only hope is that Ryan is even worse than than Jauron, if that's possible.

 

Buffalo needs a lot to go our way if we hope to compete for the AFC East title. Who knows, maybe Brady and Pennington can both get knocked out for the year and the Bills can then fight it out with the Jets for AFC East supremacy.

[billsfan89]

How can you guys say we are flat out better than these teams? Not only did they have better records than us last season but they each beat us twice. I think the dolphins are going to be as good as they were last year if not better. And if Sanchez can perform the Jets could be a playoff team.

 

You could say that about the Dolphins last year and they got better than the whole division. Its the NFL you pretty much have to reset your expectations every year.

[Grinder]

I believe, talent-wise, we are at the very least even with both these teams. It is coaching that will lose us games in division and out of the division.

 

Until we change coaches, we are a 7-9 team, I think that has been proven over the last 3 years.

[Guava Kai Buffalo Soljahs]

I believe it comes down to whomever has the most questions unanswered for the upcoming season. Other than special teams, the Bills aren't set anywhere on the football field. Without even taking count, I know the Bills have the most questionable roster in the AFC East, by far.

 

Let's take a look.

 

Buffalo

 

1. Can Trent take the next step?

2. Can the offensive line gel in time for the start of regular season?

3. Can T.O. perform well at the age of 36 and will he behave?

4. Is Schouman/Nelson ready to start at TE?

5. Will Maybin be NFL ready as a rook?

6. Will Schobel regain his old form?

7. Can Pos take his game to the next level?

8. Will anyone emerge as a viable starter at Ellison's OLB position?

9. Now that McKelvin is a full time starter, will he be an upgrade over Greer?

10. Are we finally set at safety after having drafted Byrd to play FS?

11. Can Trent stay healthy?

12. How will the Bills perform without Lynch the first three weeks?

 

That makes 12 questions the Bills need answered on the football field. Too many, if you ask me. A team needs to have some certainty to be able to compete in a division as tough as ours....

 

You do make some valuable points but in what sense is it true that having more questions than answers in the offseason is a legitimate gauge on what a teams record will be the upcoming year. Every team has to prove themselves again this year from 0-0. The dolphins were terrible two years ago to go onto the playoffs in '08. The NFC south has had a team that is terrible the year before, go onto be the top two teams in the division the year after, several times in the last five years (atlanta, new orleans, and carolina). I can't say that you wouldn't be wrong that the bills are worse off then the Jets and the Dolphins but you can't claim that you are right either.

[grog]

Two words... Pat White! One word...Wildcat

 

The Dolphins just got Jason Taylor back and Joey Porter with his 17 sacks last season will now play every down instead of part time.

 

My take is the Dolphins and Pats will battle for the division and the Jets and Bills will battle for the better draft pick. With a complete overhaul of that O line spells DISASTER for Buffalo, even with TO. Unless the Bills find a way to get more experience on that line they are doomed with Schonert calling constant pass plays.

 

Two more words - Dick Jauron