Bills' O remains a question mark despite strides

by Kurupt on Aug 22, 2008 1:41 PM EDT Comment 18 comments

After a strong performance in a pre-season win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills' offense appears to be in the midst of a stunted growth spurt thanks to some unfortunate circumstances. With several key players missing for the team's third pre-season game - a Sunday night affair in Indianapolis - Buffalo's offense may be about to take a step backwards after a strong step forward in the win over Pittsburgh. Three areas specifically are worrisome:

Edwards. Starting quarterback Trent Edwards did not practice today and hasn't since his injury. The Bills declared him OUT for the Colts game earlier today. Of course, this would have been a great opportunity for him and the offense to take another step forward. Jauron has said the starters may play into the second half, which would have been great for Edwards. Now, he may take a step back from last week's performance, which worries me. Who knows how much the starters will play against the Lions, so this is an opportunity lost, unfortunately.

Hardy. Rookie wide receiver James Hardy did not practice again today (nor did Roscoe Parrish), so is he going to be ready to really contribute in Week 1? He needed all the practice reps he could get and hasn't been able to get them. I hope he's not too far behind come opening day.

The whole package. The three most critical concerns on offense going into the season are still major concerns:

Will Edwards take the next steps forward?
Will Jason Peters return?
Will Hardy be ready to contribute right away?

These are all major question marks at this point, though we have to hope Edwards will be able to bounce back once the bruise and swelling dissipates. Peters is the unknown and Hardy's hamstring may not be as big of a factor as we may think. At least, let's hope it isn't.

This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the reviews of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.

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good points K

Just some thoughts:

1.) I hope Edwards injury isn’t too bad, I’ve heard there are cases of this type of injury healing within a week and other where it lingers for a while. That worries me a bit, I don’t want to go to Week 1 with question marks surrounding Edwards, especially with a backup in Losman who has sounded so uninspirational during interviews with all his talk about how hard it is to focus in his position.

2.) As you know I think Peters will be back, but what worries me is if the O-Line can get back into a rhythm once he returns. Will Langston Walker slide right back into RT with no slow down in getting used to his old assignments? Is Peters in top physical condition, he better be!

3.) Hardy is probably my biggest concern of the three issues you raised. I mean what the heck? One catch in the preseason? Are we going into the season with the WR depth chart as Evans, Reed, Parrish, Hardy? Thats definitely not what I had in mind. In my opinion I doubt we’ll see Hardy as a started in week 1 and that is a bit disappointing with rookies like Eddie Royal already set as a starter in Denver. Is Hardy going to play against the Colts and Lions?

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 22, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hamstrings

Poz, as usual you are right on point!! What is it with the rookie wideouts and their hamstrings? Listening to Thurman on WGR, he has concerns about the Bills O-line opening running lanes for Marshawn. Is it just me or do Kyle Orton and JP Losman look alike? Besides Chris Berman, ESPN has become the #1 Bills haters. Mike and Mike in the Morning hosts all have the Bills with a losing record.

by the Skycap on Aug 22, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

they do look identical

I was watching the Bears preseason games and couldnt believe how Kyle Orton on the sideline looked identical to JP. Maybe its just the beard but they have that same lazy look on their faces.

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 22, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree w/Thurmal

The OL has been decent thus far run blocking-wise, but far from good or great. With Peters we’re obviously much better, so another reason to hope he gets to Buffalo soon.

Losman and Orton were crappy QB’s separated at birth.

by Kurupt on Aug 22, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berman???

Am I wrong or wasn’t Berman once a HUGE Bills fan.

Craig.

by taskersd on Aug 22, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was, and remains, a Bills fan. He said “besides Chris Berman”…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 22, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Berman as a huge fan is one of the biggest crocks of it out there.

Yes, he always gave them props and said “nobody circles the wagons.” But that was because he was a good friend of Kelly’s and his fame and Bermanisms were gaining notoriety at the same time as the Bills Super Bowl run. He’s a Jets fan. Has been his whole life. He talks about growing up and sitting in the top deck of Shea Stadium watching the Jets and is a former season ticket holder. His dad was a diehard Jets fan and made him into one too. He’s as much of a Bills fan as he is a 49ers fan, he roots for them because of his friends on the team/in the front office.

by twoeightnine on Aug 22, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reason most analysts have the Bills with a losing record is that we have a rookie QB. It’s very rare for a second year quarterback with a little more than half a season under his belt to produce at a level where his offense is successful. Couple that with where we finished stat wise last year on both sides of the ball. Trent and the rest of the team have alot to prove before the analysts give them any respect.

by gjv on Aug 23, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t worry about Mike and Mike’s predictions. Greenberg is a Jets fan and thinks they’re going 16-0. Golic isn’t very bright either.

by Scotty P on Aug 23, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

all i can say is

i hate my life.

Get into camp #71

get healthy trent

and I hope to God I don’t have to see another QB controversy

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 22, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'd rather trent be out for a meaningless preseason game

then for the start of the regular season.

http://bills.sportsbloggingnetwork.com/

by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 23, 2008 1:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Given Trent’s injury history, I don’t think that any of us thought he would make it through the season unharmed. Getting Terrorist Bear some time with the first team, isn’t a bad thing, and is a positive to offset Trent’s missing time.
As for Hardy, I really think that early on he will be in on red-zone packages and that is about it. As long as he can pick-up those plays he can learn the rest as the season goes along.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 23, 2008 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have we settled on "Terrorist Bear" as the "official" new nickname?

by krytime on Aug 24, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as he keeps that woodchuck glued to his face, it works for me.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 24, 2008 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It may

turn into Homeless Bear before too long

by Kurupt on Aug 24, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Homeless Bear

I love it.
“Sometines you buy a house…oops.” One of his best quotes, from last year when he lost the starting job.

He’ll get picked up though, by somebody who loves the rocket arm, and maybe even be able to compete in SF next year, so he can go back to Cali where he belongs. I think he’ll get a one-year deal somewhere for a couple mil, but thats it…he’ll be transition-Bear, with possible Journey-Bear on the horizon.

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Aug 26, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or a chicago bear bear

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 26, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish Edwards was playing

Great Points. The way I see it, the more reps Trent gets in the preseason the better he will play when the season begins. He is the key to Buffalo’s “O”, and his play will be the major factor for the Bills to have a successful season.

by gjv on Aug 23, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs