2008 NFL Preview > Buffalo Bills Preview

2008 Buffalo Bills Football Preview

Head Coach: Dick Jauron
2007 Record: 7-9
Key Additions: TE Courtney Anderson, DE Chris Ellis, WR James Hardy DT Spencer Johnson, CB Leodis McKelvin, OLB Kawika Mitchell, OLB Donnie Spragan, DT Marcus Stroud
Key Losses: CB Jerametrius Butler, TE Michael Gaines, WR Peerless Price, RB Anthony Thomas, DT Larry Triplett, CB Jason Webster, S Coy Wire

At first glance, it appears somewhat amazing that the Bills won seven games last season, considering their turmoil at quarterback and their spat of injures on defense. However, when one takes a gander at their divisional record, it becomes clear that four of the Bills seven wins came against inferior divisional opponents: the 4-12 Jets and the 1-15 Dolphins.

2008 Buffalo Bills Offense:

The team will bring back second year starter Trent Edwards, who in his rookie season, wrested the job from J.P. Losman, after the former Green Wave signal caller floundered during a stretch in the middle of the season. As expected from a rookie, Edwards performed inconsistently, flashing potential, but also making his share of mistakes, compiling a 4-5 record as a starter. Fellow draftee Marshawn Lynch was a bright spot for the offense, rushing for over 1100 yards and seven touchdowns. The offensive line is solid and features one of the best young tackles in the league in left tackle Jason Peters. The coaching staff is hoping the addition of Indiana product James Hardy will provide a boost to a receiving core that is led by deep threat Lee Evans, who is coming off a down year after his breakout performance in 2006.

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2008 Buffalo Bills Defense:

Buffalo will welcome the return of linebacker Paul Posluszny and safety Ko Simpson, two starters who missed the great majority of last season with injuries. The Bills also added former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who will be expected to solidify the team's porous run defense, which ranked 24th in the league last year. Top selection Leodis McKelvin should challenge starter Jabari Greer for the cornerback spot alongside the venerable Terrance McGhee.

2008 Buffalo Bills Special Teams:

McKelvin should provide Buffalo fans some excitement on returns. The team boasts one of the best kicking tandems in kicker Rian Lindell and punter Brian Moorman.

2008 Buffalo Bills Expectations:

The Bills success in 2008 will largely depend on the play of Edwards, who will need to grow considerably for the team to have a chance of making the playoffs in the competitive AFC. Also, while the addition of Stroud and linebacker Kawika Mitchell should help the run defense, Buffalo did little to address a pass rush that tallied only 23 sacks in 2007. While they are a young team, it's possible that the Bills will win fewer games this season. With the Jets big offseason splash, and the completely overhauled Dolphins, it is reasonable to expect Bill's 4-2 divisional record from last season to fall to 3-3 or even 2-4 in 2008.

2008 Buffalo Bills Prediction: 3rd place in the AFC East

By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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