Year End Review: Offensive Line

The only sure thing I can say about Buffalo’s offensive line is that they will start a new combination every week.  The only other thing I know is that CBS announcers will make you well aware of the fact that Buffalo will be starting a new offensive line combination each week.  Considering how many injuries this group has sustained over the past season, I think they have actually played well.  But if you hold them up and measure them to an NFL standard, well that is a different story.  Unfortunately in the unforgiving world that is the NFL, excuses such as they are good considering, are just not acceptable.

Starting at Right tackle, Buffalo was supposed to be solid here as guard Brad Butler was going to move over and play right tackle.  Butler is a very steady lineman and would have been consistent and would have been a veteran on an otherwise inexperienced offensive line.  Butler went down in the first game and Buffalo was scrambling to replace him ever since.  Part of the problem has been the injuries to the other side at Left Tackle.  Buffalo had the intention of moving Langston Walker from right tackle to left tackle during preseason.  In theory it made sense, and in hindsight it would have been much more successful than what the Bills ended up doing.  Buffalo decided to release Walker before the start of the season and go with unproven and very raw Demetrius Bell.  Bell looked exactly like he should have, raw with very little experience and confidence.  Buffalo would suffer because of it.  From untimely penalties to just getting beat off the snap, Bell was looking less and less like the answer at LT; and Langston Walker was looking better and better too.  But Bell would soon go down due to injury as well and Buffalo would be forced to start scampering in order to replace him.  Buffalo would eventually have their tackle positions shored up by Kirk Chambers (who was released to start the season) and Jonathan Scott.  (Insert Sarcasm Here)  That’s right, a who’s who at the tackle position.

The guard positions have been less volatile as rookies Eric Wood and Andy Levitre have been progressing nicely.  Unfortunately the injury bug hit one half of this duo and Eric Wood would find himself out for the year.  Buffalo would find a way to replace him and actually surprised most by going out and singing a quality veteran in Kendall Simmons.  All might not be lost with the offensive line.  But, again, Buffalo would find themselves hit with the injury bug as Simmons would go down for the season in just his first game with his new team.  Buffalo would then take advantage of a bone head game by a St Louis Rams OL.  Richie Incognito was released by the Rams after a game in which he was able to achieve two 15 yard personal fouls, a sideline confrontation with coach Steve Spagnuolo, and a $50,000 fine.  But at least he had experience.

One of the biggest question marks to start the season was at Center.  Who was Geoff Hangartner?  Hangartner has been a consistent and pleasant surprise as he appears to make very little mistakes and has been able to play in every game this season.  Although, it could be open for debate if he has been that good this year, or have the Bills OL woes been so bad that Hangartner’s deficiencies get overlooked?  Either way, at this point, if a player can start every game of the season on the OL it is a serious upgrade, so Hangartner will get a pass on that alone.

So what does this all mean for the offensive line of the Buffalo Bills?  Up the middle they should have no problem as Eric Wood – Geoff Hangartner – Andy Levitre can grow into a solid unit and be a force up the middle.  Buffalo did a great job in drafting and signing these three individuals and can benefit by remaining in tact.  Wood’s injury was unfortunate because he was really starting to establish himself and was making positive impacts on the OL.  These three receive a solid “C+” for their efforts.

The tackle positions are a little more cloudy.  With Butler coming off a knee injury next year it will be interesting to see if Buffalo chooses to sign someone to compete with him for the RT spot.  Butler is a decent RT and should be back and starting next year while making positive contributions.  LT is where every thing goes very south.  Butler is in no way, shape or form going to be a successful LT in this league so the hope is Buffalo does not even think about making him do the switch.  Between Jonathan Scott and Demetrius Bell, Buffalo does not have a decent LT on this roster, it could even be debated if Buffalo has a decent backup LT on this roster.  Buffalo needs to find a veteran presence to help build this line up.  Buffalo could very well use some leadership to help anchor a very young OL.  Buffalo should fill this role via free agency, and with Buddy Nix coming in as the new GM, I feel assured that this will be a top priority for once.  Filling this position through the draft presents a problem as the line needs experience and leadership, not youth and time to grow.  Although I am sure that a stud OL could be had with a high top 10 pick that Buffalo may get, it wouldn’t go toward helping this OL grow.  The focus right now for Buffalo should be on developing Wood, Levitre and Hangartner and that would be much easier to do with a veteran presence at LT instead of a rookie.

Depth was an issue going into the season, and it really showed.  Although it is not a certainty that Buffalo will give up on the project that is Demetrius Bell, they really should look into finding a quality backup and possibly demote Bell to the practice squad or turn him into a right tackle.  He is athletic enough to be a LT, but just doesn’t understand the pro game well enough and lacks the discipline on the field to make the ideal LT.  Buffalo should resign Kendall Simmons as they are in desperate need of any and all veteran leadership they can get.  Simmons signing would go a long way in providing stability and leadership to a group that is seriously lacking in those areas.  Richie Incognito should be allowed to leave via free agency.  Although he has the nasty streak coaches and GM’s love, he does not have the discipline or stability to turn it on and off.  On a team that is in dire need to cut down on their penalties, Buffalo does not need 15 yard personal fouls to add to the mix.  Is it bad to judge a guy on one game, maybe.  But, even if his excuse was that he was sick of losing, Buffalo will not be in a position to win many games next year, so what will happen then?  Honestly, Buffalo just doesn’t require his services as Simmons would be a far better fit for this team.

Buffalo’s OL coach did an admirable job in attempting to keep this offensive line from seriously imploding.  But, former coach Dick Jauron and former GM Russ Brandon are to blame.  Both these individuals did not truly understand the importance of having skilled players on the offensive line.  They also were negligeable to the fact that depth on the OL is seriously important in the NFL.  Although Buffalo did well in attempting to sign new players week to week to fix all of their OL problems, it could have been avoided with just a bit more attention given by the coach and GM.  Drafting two guards is not enough.  The OL gets an “F”.  If it were possible to give them a “Q” or “T” I would, but I guess “F” is good for now.  The good news is that offensive lines are not built over night and the experience that Wood, Levitre, and Hangartner have acquired will go a long way in cementing them as quality NFL lineman.  Provided Buffalo can acquire a solid LT, it is possible that this line will be much better next year than it was this year.  Not only because it really can’t get any worse, but also because they should have the talent and now the experience to match.

Tags: Andy Levitre, Brad Butler, Buffalo Bills, Demetrius Bell, Dick Jauron, Eric Wood, Geoff Hangartner, Jonathan Scott, Kendall Simmons, Kirk Chambers, Langston Walker, Richie Incognito, Russ Brandon, Steve Spagnuolo