“There said, there are three areas that can cause a team to fail to achieve its intended goal of improving from one season to the next. The first is a breakdown in coaching, the second involves the schemes on offense, defense and the kicking game, and the last and most important area is talent level.”

1.) Breakdown in coaching.
I would interpret Lombardi’s “a breakdown in coaching” to mean turn over. If so, Buffalo is in good shape, regardless of the skepticism and/or unknown quantity that is Turk Schonert as an OC. It could also mean a neglect of teaching certain aspects of the game, which I have a hard time believing would take place on a Dick Jauron squad.
I’d give the Bills a “B.”

2.) Schemes.
Offense: Can it be worse? I look at it this way – most everyone has had a boss that was stubborn, didn’t trust anyone else, and week after week, month after month made the same stupid decisions. Those that work under someone like that, invariably are putting in extra hours, working harder, as they will inevitably get their chance. While I don’t buy into some of the chatter that TS will buy into some West Coast scheme overhaul what so ever, I’ll be dumbfounded if the O isn’t vastly more diverse. How could it not be?
I’d give the Bills a “C” – until the proof is in.
Defense: Props for identifying a weakness and moving aggresively to correct it. Adding Mitchell, Stroud, Johnson, James and a returning Poz and Simpson takes handcuffs off Fewell scheme wise. Add McKelvin and Fewell is up late diagraming too.
Having watched many Vikings games here in the Midwest, Johnson will open eyes.
I give the Bills a “B” on D.
Teams: Bobby April will have them prepared, no doubt, and the schemes are solid.
I give the Bills an “A”

Talent level:
Offense: Hardy will have impact even if the catches don’t count in the 50’s. He’ll demand attention, and Evans will benefit and rebound. Lynch will be better in his 2nd year, Jackson will se more touches rather than Anthony Thomas and I suspect Teyo Johnson will win a job and make a contribution.
I give the Bills an “A.”

Defense:
The temptation to gush here is wicked. So many injuries last year, but valuable starting experience for so many that will now play complimentary roles. Gotta love that. Stroud even at 80% of his former self is improvement. Johnson will open eyes. Mitchell is v ast upgrade and brings a Super Bowl ring. A full season from Poz. McKelvin even with rookie pangs is a game changer. Putting James in the slot on Welker is worth his making the team. (Read article carefully) Ellis will have a far better 3rd down rush end impact than Hargrove.
I give the Bills an “A.”

Teams:
Talent drain that happens to every NFL team when contracts are up. Too bad to see Aiken, Stamer, Haggen, Wire et al go, but the way it goes. April has his job cut out for him, but i think he’s up to the task. Middle to late rounds of the draft addressed this, because the Bills pay far more attention to Teams than 2/3 of the NFL.

Overview:
1.) Coaching. Up. Jauron needs to be more “in game” astute, but the continuity is in place. With a little creativity from Schonert, I like the odds.
2.) Schemes. Up. Thank Fairchild for leaving, Jauron for staying in house. If he didn’t believe Schonert was up to the task, he’d have gone elsewhere. Wouldn’t you if your job was on the line?
3.) Talent. Up. We all had our personal wishes for free agency and draft day (and I have to admit mine was granted in getting Hardy.) But, I think its difficult to argue that the Bills are worse off across the board talent-wise. A bulkier center sure. A more fleet TE, sure, but I do belive the parts in place at those positions are servicable for another year.

All looks good on paper. I hope next fall brings better results!