Hurt Egos and No Confidence…Your Buffalo Bills

Over a two week period the Buffalo Bills have gone from possible contenders for a top 5 draft pick, to possibly finishing with another 7-9 record.  Two weeks ago Buffalo’s offense could not move the ball.  Two weeks ago Buffalo was also unable to conjure up any plays on special teams.  Fast forward to this week and, although Buffalo’s special teams has improved, the offense is still unable to move the football with any sort of consistency.  The Bills were forced to start Ryan Fitzpatrick last week and will do so again against Houston.  He did not produce much better than Edwards in his first start.

The offense appears to have almost given up completely on the game of football.  Although historically famous for dropping the ball, Terrell Owens has been nonexistent on the field thus far.  It does not seem to be anything wrong with Owens physically as he is still in great shape.  Owens seems to have had his huge ego shattered and is no longer playing with the swagger that helped make him an elite wide receiver.  Buffalo has done the impossible, they have humbled and silenced Terrell Owens.  Terrell is no longer running crisp routes, he is no longer playing with a passion or fire.  Owens no longer looks like that player who is hungry to succeed and show everyone that they were wrong about him when he signed with Buffalo.  Owens is no longer T.O. and is no longer able to contribute to the Buffalo Bills.  In essence, Buffalo is playing one man short every time they take the field.

Lee Evans on the other hand looks like he is just waiting for the chance to explode.  Evans does not appear to have his confidence rattled but needs a strong arm to help him stretch the field.  The problem thus far, is that Bills QB’s have not been willing to consistently test opposing defences down field.  Evans should resume the role as the teams number one receiver as Owens continues to slip further and further into anonymity.

Buffalo will continue to struggle to gain any yards through the air, and it appears they are not doing much better on the ground.  Buffalo needs to commit to the run in order to make it work.  Better yet, Buffalo needs to commit to a running back.  The committee is not working and Buffalo needs to allow Fred Jackson to get an extended look that he has earned.  Buffalo is dangerously close to ruining the confidence of a talent like Jackson while sitting on a hope that Marshawn can deliver.

Buffalo continues to make poor decisions on and off the field.  The difference with their decisions now is that they are actually hurting their own players confidence.  How soon until Lee Evans finally plays with very little confidence?  How soon until players no longer want to come to a team that has no problem shattering their confidence.  They did it with Edwards and again with Owens; Fred Jackson is not far behind.  How many more before the front office takes notice and finally makes a change.  The concern is not for this year, it is for every year that will follow.  It is hard enough to repair  an offense, but Buffalo will need repair some egos and personnel as well if this is going to work at all.