2005 NFL Preview: Buffalo Bills

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Last Year

After the first four weeks of the 2004 season, the Buffalo Bills were as average as the Fantastic Four without its super powers. Then, as if a cloud had fundamentally altered their DNA, either that or Willis McGahee joined the starting lineup, the Bills morphed into one of the most fantastic teams in the NFL.

They finished 9-2 in games that McGahee started and were aspiring for the playoffs until a Week 17 lost at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers backups doomed their objective. In 2005, we will see if their young quarterback, J.P. Losman, can be their Mr. Fantastic and keep the team rolling.

What We Learned From Last Year

Ashlee Simpson and Jessica Simpson have a pretty good rivalry going. The two sisters are highlighted on separate magazine covers this month (Cosmo Girl and GQ) and both are starring in summer movies (Undiscovered and The Dukes of Hazzard). But even their domestic competition lacks in comparison to the personal battle between Buffalo Bills running backs Travis Henry and Willis McGahee last season.

Henry, who accumulated over 3,200 yards in 2002 and 2003, was dropped from the starting lineup for good in Week 7 after the Bills offense had produced only six touchdowns in six games — none of which came on the ground.

As Willis McGahee stepped into the starter's role, Henry was quickly tuned out like Ashlee Simpson's singing voice. It's not as if he had lip-synced on "Saturday Night Live" or anything, it was just that McGahee was more productive.

Everything changed from that point. The offensive line, knowing they would need to support their new running back, was inspired by the young buck and instantly improved. It was as simple as that — there were no drastic personnel changes to the line. They surrendered 24 sacks in the first six games and yielded only 14 more the rest of the way.

Needless to say, that led to Drew Bledsoe's second half turnaround. With more time, Bledsoe was more accurate, only throwing nine more interceptions in the remaining 10 games compared to the seven he coughed up in the first six.

When Peerless Price departed for Atlanta after the 2002 season, the Bills passing game took a big step back. That aspect of the offense rebounded in 2004, thanks to a healthy Eric Moulds and the emergence of rookie Lee Evans.

Evans, a near clone of Price, led the receiving corps in touchdowns, yards per catch, and plays longer than 40 yards. His speed distracted attention off of Moulds, who registered his fourth career 1,000-yard receiving season.

The defense remained consistent throughout but was also motivated once the team started to win.

Sacks were a forte as the underrated Aaron Schobel led the way with eight, but there was balance with nine other defenders registering at least two sacks. This consistent pressure forced 39 takeaways as the Bills led the league in that category.

Free agent signing Troy Vincent was supposed to replace the loss of Antoine Winfield at cornerback, but it was second-year defensive back Terrence McGee who slid into that role as Vincent endured injuries. McGee, an eventual Pro Bowler, pushed Vincent into a free safety role.

While the secondary rounded into form, the linebackers were never in question. Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher were the heart of the NFL's second ranked defense; a squad who would have four players named to the Pro Bowl (DT Sam Adams, LB Takeo Spikes, DB Nate Clements, and DB Terrence McGee).

Had Gregg Williams still been the coach of this team, an 0-4 start would have sunk the squad, but first-year head coach Mike Mularkey was able to turn the ship around.

Although the Bills fell just short of the playoffs, they will pay it forward and take a complete defense, a quality group of receivers and a premier running game into 2005.

This Year

When the Buffalo Bills traded into the first round last year to pick up J.P. Losman, they figured a year of learning and developing behind Drew Bledsoe would be worth the sacrifice rather than drafting a fresh quarterback in 2005 and throwing him into the fire.

As it turns out, they would have had a chance to draft Aaron Rodgers or Jason Campbell this year — both of who were more polished than Losman coming out of college — so now we'll see whether their plan paid off.

The Bills have a lot banking on the shoulders of their young signal-caller. But as mentioned above, he is surrounded with an excellent support group.

The defense will likely be leaned upon the most if Losman is mistake prone in the early going. The largest debit defensively — quite literally — will be the departure of Pat Williams. Alongside Sam Adams, the tandem was 650 pounds of immovable force, right in the center of every opponents running game. Tackles Ron Edwards and Tim Anderson are both 300+ in weight and will have to fill the vacancy left by Williams.

Aside from that, the Bills return the same defensive workforce as last year.

The line is deep with Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney in the rotation and Aaron Schobel doesn't get enough recognition for his work at defensive end.

Terrence McGee will be the starting cornerback opposite of Nate Clements and judging the way he played last year, the Bills will have an excellent duo. Clements enters a contract year and is a top-five corner in the NFL. Troy Vincent and Lawyer Milloy are intelligent safeties, but both are past their best years. The depth behind the starters in the secondary is untested.

Linebackers Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher, and Jeff Posey are the keys to the defense. They have a sideline-to-sideline presence and rarely leave the field.

With a fairly complete team already, the Bills had the luxury of drafting offensive weapons for Losman.

The selection of Roscoe Parrish indicates that the Bills believe that Josh Reed has hit a ceiling, but the team won't likely give up on him quite yet. Moulds is the main target, Lee Evans is very explosive, Parrish will provide unique speed in the slot, and Reed should be a pleasant possession complement.

Kevin Everett, a tight end selected in the third round, supplies Losman with a quality tight-end — something the team has lacked for a few years.

The question remains: can Losman get them the ball? The quarterback is the main variable on this team.

In similar sophomore situations, Carson Palmer only led the Cincinnati Bengals to an 8-8 record and Chris Simms struggled in his first taste of playing time. Both quarterbacks did not play in their rookie seasons.

But Losman is in a better environment, possibly more fertile for success. When you consider that Drew Bledsoe didn't exactly drop any jaws last season (56.9 completion percentage and a 76.6 quarterback rating) and the Bills still finished 9-7, there should be optimism in Orchard Park.

Last year when Willis McGahee was installed in the starting lineup, it was a huge rallying point for the team. If Losman impresses from the get-go, he will become this year's flint, but if not, the Bills will not match the intensity of their 8-2 finish to 2004 and it could be a very cold winter.

Over/Under: 8.5

The facile schedule last season had the Bills facing six opponents who didn't make it to seven wins. This year, they have 12 games against teams who finished with seven or more wins and their other games are versus Miami, Oakland, and Tampa Bay — all who expect to improve. Their non-division schedule looks like this: HOU, @TB, ATL, @NO, @OAK, KC, @SD, CAR, DEN, and @CIN.

Fantasy Sleeper

The quarterback play of Drew Bledsoe didn't transcend any standards last year, but even so, Lee Evans was able to pull in 843 yards and nine touchdowns. Some people might shy away from Evans because it is unclear what Losman will turn out but put it this way, his numbers won't be much worse than Bledsoe's. Also, teams will likely focus on stopping the running game and force the Bills to throw often which should translate into more opportunities for Evans in the passing game.

Stay tuned as Dave Golokhov brings you previews for all 32 NFL teams! Sponsored by CyberSportsbook.com, a great casino for horse racing and sportsbook action.