The Buffalo Bills have a lot of work to do to get back to a playoff contender, as it looks as though the organization is once again in the rebuilding phase. The Bills spent a long time trying to find a new head coach this off season, and wound up with Chan Gailey. Gailey has two years of head coaching experience with Dallas, but the majority of his work has been as an offensive coordinator, and he will take over the play calling for the Bills this season. The Bills also bring in new defensive coordinator George Edwards to implement the 3-4 scheme. Here is a look at what the Bills bring to both sides of the ball in 2010, plus my prediction on how they finish up the 2010 season.
Offense: The Bills didn't get a lot of production out of the quarterback spot in 2010, as Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick both struggled to put points on the board. Everyone expected the Bills to make a move this off season to bring in a new face to compete for the job, but that was not the case, and it looks like it will either be one of these two guys starting on opening day.
The Bills had a chance to improve a very bad offensive line with their first pick in the NFL draft, but instead went after Clemson running back CJ Spiller. The move gives the Bills a ton of depth in the running game, as Spiller joins holdovers Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, and Spiller has the ability to really add a spark to this bunch with his homerun ability.
The Bills decided not to bring back Terrell Owens at wide receiver, leaving Lee Evans alone as the only real target in the passing game. The hope is that former second round pick James Hardy will be ready to step in and give this team some production as the No.2 receiver.
Looking at that offensive line, the Bills added former Oakland Raider Cornell Green to take over at right tackle, and they seem content with bringing back Demetius Bell to start at left tackle. The interior of the line figures to be strong with guards Andy Levitre and Eric Wood and center Ceoff Hangartner, but this group needs to stay healthy if they want to improve off a miserable 2009 season.
Defense: The Bills will be shifting a number of players around this off season to adjust for the 3-4 scheme. Former defensive tackle Marcus Stroud is expected to move to defensive end, playing opposite of newcomer Dwan Edwards, who has some experience playing 3-4 defensive end in Baltimore. At nose tackle look for Kyle Williams to start and rookie Torell Troup to add help as a solid replacement.
At linebacker the Bills will move Aaron Maybin and Chris Kelsay off the line and put them at the two outside linebacker spots, while Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell hold down the two inside backer spots. The Bills were 30th against the run in 2009, but they are hoping the switch will allow them to improve on those numbers this season.
The secondary figures to be strong again in 2010 after allowing just 184 yards a game in 2009. They return a very good starting corner duo of Leodis McKelvin and Terrence McGee. At safety the Bills struck gold with 2009 second round pick Jairus Byrd, who led the team with nine interceptions as a rookie. The Bills also have a strong safety in Donte Whitner, but he needs to start making a few more big plays.
Prediction - 4th in AFC East: To much rebuilding going on for this team to have any chance at competing with the Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots this season.
For a bigger look at the upcoming season, check out our complete 2010 NFL predictions. If you plan on betting the NFL this year, be sure to stop back for our live NFL odds each and every week.
