The Buffalo Bills enter the 2012 season with the longest playoff drought in NFL history, 12 consecutive seasons. However, this year is different. I will now break down the roster by position.
1) Quarterbacks-In 16 games last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick was 353/569. That is a 62% completion percentage, a career high for Fitz. The team also signed former Titans draft bust Vince Young to a one-year deal as a backup. Young last season posted a 57.9 completion percentage. Stellar, no. Solid, yes.
2) Special Teams-Rian Lindell was 6/6 from 20-29 yards, 2/3 from 30-39 yards, and 5/6 fom 40-49 yards before being shelved with shoulder injury in November while trying to make a tackle. In my opinion he is a very underrated kicker. In any event, Dave Rayner is gone (hallelujiah!) and John Potter is being groomed as Lindell's successor. In 72 punt attemps, Brian Moorman averaged 48.2 yards/punt. Brad Smith, the wildcat, averaged 16 yards/game. This seems like a strength for the team now and going forward.
Lindell boots a game-winner against the Patrits in 2011! Holder Brian Moorman is seen in the background.
3) Wide Receivers-Rookie T.J. Graham seems like he is ready, and Stevie Johnson is fully healthy for the season after suffering a groin injury last season and being benched for antics. As long as he uses his head and avoids questionable or stupid moves, (such as mocking Plaxico's shootng himself after a touchdown against the Jets), he will be the same Pro Bowl-caliber player he has been these last few years. Last year, he had 76 receptions for 1,004 yards (his third 1,000+ yard season). Donald Jones, Namaan Roosevelt and David Clowney IV will only add to what is already incredible depth.
4) Running Backs-Star rusher Fred Jackson was going to the Pro Bowl with 934 yards before a fractured fibula cost him the season. Along with CJ Spiller and Tashard Choice, the Bills' running core can be the best in the business.
5) DEFENSE!-Before the season, the Bills released longtime cornerback Drayton Florence. Leodis McKelvin and Aaron Williams, Justin Rogers, Terrence McGee, and Stephon Gillmore will be just fine holding down the fort without him. Jairus Byrd and "Senator" George Wilson are poised for better seasons if they stay healthy. The offensive line of Chad Rinehart, Kraig Urbik, Eric Wood, and Chris Hairston can be great if it remains intact this season. This is Shawne Merriman's make or break year. Make and he can really help the Bills defense overall. Break, and he may find himself cut following the season.
It's now or never for Shawne Merriman.
GM Buddy Nix has beefed up the defense with big signings like DE's Mark Anderson and Mario Williams. With Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Arthur Moats, and Dwan Edwards, this team has the potential for a top defense in the league. Nix has also retained the key cogs to continuing the team's success from last year by re-signing Stevie Johnson and extending Fitz and Fred Jackson. When Nix and Chan Gailey came on in 2010 I was skeptical, but they have proved me wrong.Now, wth all of this joy, optimism, and jubilation over the 2012 Bills, there is one position that is readily up for grabs: Left Tackle.
The Bills lost very few free agents over the offseason, but one that they lost that I wanted back was tackle Demetress Bell. From all accounts that I have heard, including Bills radio voice John Murphy, Cordy Glenn seem like the man of the hour, but we will have to wait and see. Just another reason to keep up with the training camp reports and The John Murphy Show, which premires THIS THURSDAY and will run from 7:00 until 9:00 PM from Monday to Friday through the summer and throughout the season.*
*The show may be preempted by Sabres games.
I am in NO way affiliated with the Buffalo Bills, National Football League, or WGR-AM in Buffalo, New York. Just wanted to get that out there after a few articles with promotions of the show.
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