No more intangibles please!

by patamunzo on Dec 17, 2008 10:24 AM EST

Sorry for the rant but this is something that puzzled me for quite some time.

At the start of 2007 the Bills' offense showed all its limits early in the season. Some roster changes were made on the run, mainly because of injuries, the most important of which the QB switch from Losman to Edwards and the #2 WR switch from Price to Reed. The result didn't change: the Bills had one of the worst offenses of their history, and were at the bottom of the ranks in nearly every offensive stat. Simply put, the 2007 Bills' offense was simply awfu, no matter who was the quarterback or the receivers or thestarting tight ends.

Fast forward to september: at the start of the 2008 campaign, the Bills' offense was rated at least above average. Some (both fans - me included - and so called experts) even considered the Bills on the verge of becoming a dominant attack. But if we look at the Bills' roster from the end of 200, the only change has been in the TE position, where the 2nd year Schouman filled the position left vacant by Michael Gaines.

	Start 2007	End 2007	Start 2008
WR	L.Evans	L.Evans	L.Evans
TE	R.Royal	R.Royal	R.Royal
LT	J.Peters	J.Peters	J.Peters
LG	D.Dockery	D.Dockery	D.Dockery
C	M.Fowler	M.Fowler	M.Fowler
RG	B.Butler	B.Butler	B.Butler
RT	L.Walker	L.Walker	L.Walker
TE	K.Everett	M.Gaines	D.Schouman
WR	P.Price	J.Reed	J.Reed
QB	J.Losman	T.Edwards	T.Edwards
RB	M.Lynch	M.Lynch	M.Lynch

This is the puzzling part. The starters were virtually the same, so why so much optimism? What was the charm that led me (and many of us, and the whole Bills' organization) to believe we were a legitimate playoff team?

I think that we all put too much hopes in the so-called intangibles. We thought that Edwards would blossom with more experience; we gambled on the Hardy making an early impact; we were sure the OL was to become a dominant unit; most of all, we were all intrigued by the "Bill Walsh" background of our young QB and new OC, Turk Schonert.

Now we know where all the intangibles have lead our team, and I wonder: can we still count on them for next year? Do you feel we are a center (or an OC) away from turning in a good offensive team? Will 2009 be Edwards' year? Can Hardy and Johnson step up? Will Lee Evans return to the Pro Bowl? Why I feel like deja vu?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

IMO

the most important parts to really upgrading this offense are in the following order

1) Pass-catching TE
2) Center

After that, its up to the players on the offense already, most notably Edwards, Hady, Stevie Johnson to step up. And of course an OC that isn’t afraid to run it 30 times would help too

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Dec 17, 2008 10:48 AM EST reply actions

I agree 100% with that. If there was one other position I would draft for would be getting another backup lineman to improve depth, but perhaps that could be a free agent pickup or undrafted rookie to develop.

But the offenses excuse is gone next year. Especially if everyone stays healthy (knock on wood).

by sabre74kkn on Dec 17, 2008 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

I think the change in OC was a big part of the optimism. That hasn’t worked out so well.

I think Hardy’s rehab will be a killer, because he got injured so late in this season.

I sure hope they pick Mack. However, a lot will still depend on the OC.

by thefourwinds on Dec 17, 2008 10:48 AM EST reply actions

True

Change in OC was a reason for optimism

also

Edwards and Lynch experience and growth

including Parrish in the WR rotation more

Hardy as a legit redzone option

Defensive improvement meant not playing from behind thus allowing more runs or more patience in offense also more offensive series

It really isn’t a bad group, I think stability or upgrade at C and improvement at TE and we have a consistent 20 pt offense. Just as important is a back up QB that can win us2 or 3 games when called upon.

I really don’t think we are as bad as the record. I think it reflects more our inexperience and youth

by Ono on Dec 17, 2008 11:19 AM EST reply actions

I totally disagree with you

You make it look like a 3 year comparison when in fact it’s really only 1 season and 2 season for some of the parts.

You talk about “intangibles” in your title and then never elaborate.

You are confusing a poor season with a lack of potential.

by keysh67 on Dec 17, 2008 12:39 PM EST reply actions

Trying to elaborate

Well, not really, I was giving vent to frustration, of course. Don’t we all?

2007 season was abysmal, right? in 2008 the Bills started with the same lineup that sucked for most of the previous year, save for #2 TE (schouman over Gaines, not exactly a revolution). So, skill wise, it was almost the same offense.

I consider “intangibles” the projected maturity of Edwards, the hopes for a hot rookie season by Hardy, the expectations that we all had about a young, unproven offensive coordinator. I hope that in september 2009 I will be able to look at the roster and say “now, this is a definite upgrade”. I’m mainly thinking WR, or TE (I believe in Trent being someone special), and of course Center (that should be easy).

by patamunzo on Dec 17, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t forget that we play against the Jets & Dolphins a total of 4 games in the year and both those teams were lousy last year and this year they are much improved. And we did have some key injuries this year to live through (Crowell, Edwards, Schobel, Reed, Whitner, Youboty, McGee), which all came at various points in the year and one thing is pretty clear is that although I do belive that we have some talent and hope for the future, I think we seriously lack depth at many positions.

Jauron/Schonert/Fewel are not the most dominant coaching staff and I blame quite a few of our losses on their inability to game plan & prepare properly. Hopefully something changes in that area before next season.

BEAST MODE, During the week plan on it & on game day thrive on it!
GO BILLS!
Section 336 Row 13

by keysh67 on Dec 17, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions