You Can’t Lose On A Bye Week!

Great news out of Buffalo.  No, it isn’t that Trent Edwards is healing up and will most likely start this Sunday.  Buffalo is coming off of a Bye week and was not given an opportunity to further embarrass themselves on offense.  I hate getting down on my team but let’s face facts, this team is offensively challenged.  There is hope as Buffalo’s schedule becomes easier through the second half of the season, but don’t hold on to the hope that this will translate into a playoff spot.  What it will translate into will be another 7-9 season give or take a win.

I think it is safe to assume that Dick Jauron will be fired following this season, but it is not a given.  Let’s not forget that this is the same team that should have fried Turk Schonert after last season, but didn’t.  Coach Dick should have been gone last season as well, but wasn’t.  Marshawn Lynch should have taken a back seat to Fred Jackson after coming off of suspension, but why bother when Fred can contribute on special teams.  By now it is a given that Coach Dick needs to be let go, it is not a given that he in fact will be let go.

Their are a few key areas I would love to see the Bills address in the off season and would be ideal for them to use the time now to evaluate their current roster before the season is done.  Buffalo needs veteran help on the offensive line.  Although a lot of time has been dedicated to developing this bunch, they are still lacking in mentors to be able to guide them.  It is becoming obvious as well that Demetrius Bell needs much more work than originally thought.  Bell is far too prone to mistakes that have typically resulted in penalties.  In an offense that has had so much trouble moving the ball, Bell is truly doing a disservice to the team with his penalties.  Buffalo must add depth, but mainly a left tackle in the off season, and give Bell another season of learning from the sidelines as he is still a project.

The Bills must also add a wide receiver.  Once the season comes to an end, Buffalo will not be able to resign Terrell Owens, nor will they want to.  Buffalo should take the time now to release Owens outright in order to find out what they have in James Hardy and others.  Buffalo should spend either a low pick or look into free agency in order to fill the hole that Terrell Owens still has yet to fill.

I give a ton of credit to what this defence has done, especially through all of the injuries.  But after seeing teams run through Buffalo like a hot knife through butter, it is time to invest in another big time, play making linebacker.  Buffalo has one of the worst run defenses in recent memory, and while the pass rush has improved, the run defense continues to struggle.   Buffalo must decide if Aaron Maybin is the answer at LE or at LB in order to figure out if they can finally replace Chris Kelsay or Keith Ellison/Chris Draft.

The entire coaching staff needs to be replaced.  The only person who should maybe get to keep their job is special teams coordinator Bobby April.  But, the rest have got to go.  Since Marv Levy, Buffalo has settled for coordinators with little or zero head coaching experience.  Buffalo did not even hire the top coordinator looking to become a head coach in most cases.  By the time Buffalo hired Coach Dick, they were desperate for an established leader, much like when the Toronto Raptors hired Lenny Wilkens years ago.  Buffalo was looking for an established name to provide stability in the locker room, and he did.  But much like knowing when to get up from the blackjack table Buffalo continued to sit on their coach as his calming influence on this team has now turned into a passive and uninspired team.  It is time to bring in someone who will push the players to succeed.  The thought of another “players coach” is scary and will do Buffalo no good.  Someone with a winning pedigree couldn’t hurt either.

Finally, I know this will not be popular, but Buffalo should find a new home for Marshawn Lynch.  I know many are against this as Fred Jackson is closing in on 30 and Marshawn is still very young.  But, Marshawn has had his share of legal troubles, he has also been unable to prove that he is a force at the running back position as well.  Much like Rudi Johnson a few seasons ago, Marshawn can produce but is very replaceable.  Marshawn will never be the Hall of Fame running back many were hoping for, so why should he be revered in that way?  Buffalo has a gem in Fred Jackson and can easily pick up a backup through the mid-round of the draft as well as in free agency.  Buffalo can also get true value for Marshawn while he still has some.  Buffalo should cut their ties before he gets arrested again.  Marshawn could be the key to Buffalo filling all of the holes they have in the off season much Herschel Walker was for the Cowboys.

Tags: Aaron Maybin, Bobby April, Buffalo Bills, Chris Kelsay, Demetrius Bell, Dick Jauron, Fred Jackson, James Hardy, Keith Ellison, Lenny Wilkens, Marshawn Lynch, Marv Levy, Terrell Owens, Turk Schonert