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Buffalo Bills
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - The inability of the QB position to produce was the main reason for the downfall of this team last season. The defense kept them in enough games, but QB's Todd Collins and Alex Van Pelt really struggled. They hope they have found the cure in Rob Johnson... they gave Jacksonville a 1st rd. pick for his services. Johnson has played well in his brief NFL experiences, but he has never been a full time starter. Johnson played his college ball at USC, and his few years in the NFL at Jacksonville, so it will be interesting to see how he plays in poor weather. The team has also signed Doug Flutie, but don't look for him to threaten Johnson.
RB - This is a solid unit. 1997 rookie Antowain Smith and Thurman Thomas pack a solid 1-2 punch. Thomas is starting to slow down some, and may be used in more of a nickle role this season, with Smith seeing the bulk of the carries. Thomas has also stated that it is likely he will retire after this season.... don't be surprised to see the Bills take another RB somewhere in the draft. With the possibility of Thomas retiring at the end of the season, they will want to secure their future.
WR - Disappointing unit last season. Aging veteran WR Andre Reed is their only consistent threat. Reed continues to perform at a high level, despite drawing a lot of double coverage at his age... most 10+ year veteran WR's don't draw a lot of double coverage. However, they do if the team has no other viable options. Quinn Early has been somewhat of a bust since being signed from the Saints in FA a few years ago. Early hasn't been able to get open consistently, and his hands have been less than great. The biggest disappointment may be 1996 1st rd. pick Eric Moulds. Moulds hasn't produced on the field, and has been in some trouble off the field. This may be his last hurrah in Buffalo. WR Kevin Williams was added through FA, should Moulds continue to struggle.... If Early and Moulds step their game up, Williams will see most of his action as a RS.
TE - An area of concern heading into the draft. The team seems to have given up on FA TE Lonnie Johnson... He has not been re-signed yet, and it looks as if they are willing to go on without him. Johnson is big and athletic, but the light never went on... he may have sealed his fate with an open field fumble on a lackadaisical play in their season finale at Green Bay. If Johnson is out of the picture, they don't have another bonafide receiving threat at the TE position. If they don't find something via FA soon, look for them to grab an athletic TE in the draft.
OL - Problem area the past few years. The left side of OT John Fina and OG Reuben Brown is fairly solid. They aren't real physical, but they have had success running the football to that side of the field. OC Dusty Ziegler wasn't ready last season, and they may have benefitted in signing a veteran this offseason. They signed FA OG Joe Panos to a huge deal... look for him to start at RG. Panos is a tough guy, but the Bills may have overpaid for his services. The biggest hole is at RT... they need 1997 rookies Jamie Nails or Marcus Spriggs to step in and fill the hole. If they can't, they will have to return to Jerry Ostroski who has failed to hold down that spot in the past.
DL - This is a veteran unit. They show a lot of age, but continue to be a dominant force. DE Bruce Smith was hobbled by bad knees last season, but it didn't show in his play. NT Ted Washington may be one of the best run stuffing DL's in the game... he was rewarded with a new contract this offseason. They could start adding some youth to this unit... Smith, Washington, and LDE Phil Hanson are not going to be able to play forever.
LB - RIght now they aren't sure if they are going to go back to their 3-4 defense... they moved to a 4-3 late in the season. Injuries decimated this unit last season, and problems persist. They lost FA OLB Bryce Paup to Jacksonville this offseason. Paup's loss leaves some big holes, despite the re-signing of OLB Marlo Perry. They have yet to re-sign OLB Sam Rogers who would be the likely replacement to Paup. Inside, Damien Covington must return from injury. He is a solid run stuffer, and they struggled when they lost him to injury, and Chris Spielman to retirement. 1996 rookie OLB Gabe Northern has been somewhat of a disappointment... the light has to go on this season.
DB - Should be a solid unit even with the loss of FA DC Jeff Burris who is overrated. Burris was always nicked up, and his size hurts him, because he isn't real physical. Backup DC's Marlon Kerner and Ken Irvin have seen a lot of action the past 2 seasons in their nickle and dime packages... either could step in and fill the void. The position they may have to look at in the draft is FS, where Kurt Schulz doesn't run as well as he used to... could look for an athletic upgrade in the draft. They may also look for a DC in the middle rounds.
ST - The combination of PT Chris Mohr and PK Steve Christie is fairly solid. Both have succeeded despite kicking, have the season in miserable conditions. Christie is one of the better poor weather PK's in the NFL. The return units should get an exc. jumpstart from FA Kevin Williams. Williams excelled late in 1997 with the Arizona Cardinals.
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