Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat. The Bills are not playing the 2010 season to get the top pick in the 2011 draft. I have heard from several fans who think that there is this master plan to lose games this season and take Jake Locker (or whichever QB emerges as next year’s Sam Bradford). This is the NFL folks. Chan Gailey did not wait a decade to get a head coaching job only to try to lose games just to take a chance on some 21 year old quarterback. Could it happen? Sure. The Bills could play the way into the league’s worst record. But it is not the goal.
I think Gailey believes he can win games with this team. He knows he has a lot of challenges, the biggest being an overall lack of proven talent. The top management of this franchise did not do him any favors over the last half a decade. The Bills have picked 7 players in the first round since 2006. Of that group only Eric Wood and Donte Whitner are starters. (CJ Spiller could certainly be counted as one). Aaron Maybin and Leodis McKelvin are backups. John McCargo and Marshawn Lynch are listed as 3rd string on the depth chart. Wow. First round picks should be starters in the NFL, especially for team’s that do not make the playoffs. Maybe that is a big reason this franchise has not made the playoffs.
Somehow the mess the Bills put on the field a year ago found a way to win 6 games. They were poorly coached and got very weak play out of the quarterback. Gailey is an upgrade as a game manager, motivator and offensive mind. I believe he will get something positive out of Trent Edwards this year. (We saw signs in the preseason). Yes they lost the production of T.O., but they add Spiller. I am actually more worried about the defense. Aaron Schobel might have been on the downside, but he was a solid player. The linebackers are all making adjustments. Dare I say it, but the Bills might have to outscore some teams this year.
I am not making any travel plans for the playoffs this year. They just have way too many question marks. Last year Dick Jauron kept saying that his team played hard. Please. This is the NFL. That should be a given. I think the 2010 Bills will also play smart. They will cut down on the pre snap penalties and make better decisions. The coaching staff will handle the clock better in key situations. As a fan you will see signs of progress that you did not see a year ago. So what will their record be this season? If your hope is that they make the playoffs, you will be disappointed. If your hope is that they have the league’s worst record, you will be disappointed. If your hope is that they look and play like an NFL team and give you hope for the future, I think you might get your wish. I say the Bills finish 5-11 this season with the arrow finally pointing up for the future. Tell me what you think.
mailto://mcatalana@13wham.com
