Buffalo Bills
Key Additions: RT Cornell Green, DE Dwan Edwards, LB Andra Davis, OLB Reggie Torbor, RB C.J. Spiller,
Key Subtractions: WR Terrell Owens, DE Aaron Schobel
Chan Gailey enters his first season as head coach of a struggling Bills team that can not score points. They drafted RB C.J. Spiller with the ninth pick who is a definite home run hitter and as nice compliment to Marshaun Lynch and Fred Jackson. The running game will be and must be the foundation for the Bills offense if they are to be successful. They lost Terrell Owens who opened up room on the other side for Lee Evans. Now that he is gone, defenses will key on Evans and leave the Bills in a tight spot. The Bills were in the bottom of the league only ahead of Cleveland and Oakland in total offense. The quarterback situation is also in a bad spot. Trent Edwards lost the job last year to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was not any better. He had 21 interceptions last year. One of them will emerge as the starter, but both must play better.
The Bills are a total lopsided defense. They rank second in the league against the pass, but 30th in the league against the run. They racked in 28 INT's last season, second in the league. But they lost their interim head coach and defensive coordinator to the New York Giants. George Edwards takes over and appears to be transitioning the defense to a 3-4 in order to improve the run defense. They added solid linebackers to solidify the unit, but I don't think it will be enough as it will take a long time for the team to transition to the new scheme.
Schedule:
Week 1 vs. Miami
Week 2 @ Green Bay
Week 3 @ New England
Week 4 vs. New York
Week 5 vs. Jacksonville
Week 6 Bye
Week 7 @ Baltimore
Week 8 @ Kansas City
Week 9 vs, Chicago
Week 10 vs. Detroit
Week 11 @ Cincinnati
Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 13 @ Minnesota
Week 14 vs. Cleveland
Week 15 @ Miami
Week 16 vs. New England
Week 17 @ New York
The Bills have the 16th hardest schedule and opponents were 128-128 last season. They play in the much improved AFC East where the other three teams are expected to contend for a playoff spot. They catch the AFC North and NFC North, two strong divisions as well. Judging by the schedule and the lack of moves in the offseason, I expect the Bills to be one of the worst teams in the league this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Additions: DE Aaron Kampman, LB Kirk Morrison, LB Freddy Keiaho,
Key Subtractions: WR Torry Holt
Jack Del Rio enters this season after squandering a golden opportunity to make the playoffs last year. They ended the season on a four game losing streak. David Garrard played decent last season, completing 60% of his passes, throwing for over 3,500 yards and managing the game well. The team is carried on the legs of the bowling bowl Maurice Jones-Drew. Drew ran for over 1,300 yards and 15 TD's. Mike Sims-Walker had a breakout year last season, but there isn't another consistent threat on the team. The team dumped Tory Holt and have a lot of WR on the roster with limited experience. A few of them are going to have to step up and form a good chemistry with Garrard for the offense to be successful.
The Jaguars added big boy Erik Kampman to add a presence to the defensive line and get after the quarterback. The Jaguars were last in the league last season with only 14 sacks. They also added Kirk Morrison to add some veteran presence to the linebacking corps. Beyond that, they Jaguars don't look to have anything to rely upon on defense. They rank towards the bottom half in both rushing and passing defensive categories. Reggie Nelson has not provided the big play since his good rookie year in 2007. If they can apply more pressure on the quarterback and limit the big plays, they can be better.
Schedule
1 Sun. Sep. 12 vs. Broncos
2 Sun. Sep. 19 at Chargers
3 Sun. Sep. 26 vs. Eagles
4 Sun. Oct. 03 vs. Colts
5 Sun. Oct. 10 at Bills
6 Mon. Oct. 18 vs. Titans
7 Sun. Oct. 24 at Chiefs
8 Sun. Oct. 31 at Cowboys
9 BYE
10 Sun. Nov. 14 vs. Texans
11 Sun. Nov. 21 vs. Browns
12 Sun. Nov. 28 at Giants
13 Sun. Dec. 05 at Titans
14 Sun. Dec. 12 vs. Raiders
15 Sun. Dec. 19 at Colts
16 Sun. Dec. 26 vs. Redskins
17 Sun. Jan. 02 at Texans
The Jags have the 5th hardest schedule in the league and opponents were 137-119 last season. They catch the AFC West and NFC East. They do play the Raiders, Chiefs, Bills, and Browns who are some of the worst defenses in the league. The beginning of the schedule is brutal though, opening against the Broncos, then on the road to San Diego, then home against the Eagles and Colts. Tough schedule for any good team to face, no less the Jags.
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