NFL 2006: Buffalo Bills

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. We start in the AFC and the Buffalo Bills.)

Dick Jauron takes over as the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills after Mike Mularkey was let go. Marv Levy returns once again, only this time in the front office, to lead the Bills back to prominence in the AFC East. Levy has a long climb for the Bills to reach New England and rising Miami in the division. This is a squad that managed to score only 271 points last season on its way to a 5-11 mark.

Offense: Levy and the Bills are very much hoping that J.P. Losman isn't another Tim Couch or Akili Smith. The former first round choice battled with veteran Kelly Holcomb for the starting job last year and it looks like more of the same this season. Holcomb threw for 1,509 yard with 10 scores, while completing 67 percent of his passes.

Losman on the other hand collected 1,340 yards with a dismal 49.6 percent completion rate. Losman must come around for the Bills to be successful. He has all the physical attributes but his arrogance and sometimes nonchalant attitude has upset many in the Bills front office. Holcomb is a serviceable signal caller, but not one that will lead a team to the playoffs on a consistent basis.

Willis McGahee returns at running back and will be the main focus of the offense - provided McGahee can stay healthy. The former Miami star ran for 1,247 yards last season, but scored only five touchdowns. Those numbers will have to improve. Shaud Williams and former 1,000 rusher Anthony Thomas provide backup.

Eric Moulds and his 81 catches are gone. In his place Peerless Price returns. Price has struggled of late (he was cut by Atlanta and Dallas last season), now he returns to the place where he had his best years. The problem is those years happened with Moulds around. Lee Evans (48 receptions, 743 yards and seven TDs) takes over as number one receiver. Underachiever Josh Reed (32-449-2) is the number three man. At tight end, Jauron hopes that injury-prone Kevin Everett can stay healthy this season. If not, Robert Royal is the man.

The offensive line has two new pickups in Melvin Fowler and Tutan Reyes. Fowler came from Minnesota and is projected as the starting center, while Reyes will challenge Duke Preston and Chris Villarrial for one of the guard spots. Mike Gandy is penciled in at left tackle and Jason Peters will battle Aaron Gibson for the right side.

Defense: The Bills drafted five defensive players with their first six picks including three defensive backs in the hopes of improving a unit that gave up 367 points last season.

The biggest free agent acquisition for Buffalo came in the form of DT Larry Tripplet. The former Colts standout brings an inside pass rush that's been lacking in Buffalo. Tim Anderson teams up with Tripplet for a decent inside tandem. Rookie John McCargo and Kyle Williams are the backups, so Anderson and Tripplet need to stay healthy. Aaron Schobel (12 sacks) mans one defensive end slot, while Chris Kelsay has the other.

Linebacker is the strength of the Bills defense and will be even stronger this year with the return of Takeo Spikes, who was injured in week one and missed all of 2005. London Fletcher had another fantastic year holding down the middle. The undersized backer had 158 tackles, four sacks and an interception. Angelo Crowell (115 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions) did a great job replacing Spikes and will battle incumbent Jeff Posey for the other starting spot.

Nate Clements was given an extension and returns to anchor the Bills secondary. The Ohio State product collected 102 tackles with two picks. Terrence McGee (73-4) holds down the other corner slot, but will be challenged by rookie Ashton Youboty. Ageless wonder Troy Vincent returns at free safety. He tied McGee in the team lead with four picks. Rookie Ko Simpson is the future. Lawyer Milloy left and Matt Bowen was brought in from Washington to plug in at strong safety. Bowen may not have the job for long as top draft choice Donte Whitner will be given every chance to take the top spot.

Special Teams: A real strength for the Bills, thanks to coach Bobby April. Rian Lindell scored 113 points last season, going 29-35 field goals and 26-26 in extra points. McGee average 30.2 yards on kickoff returns and Roscoe Parrish averaged 13 yards on punt returns. Brian Noonan averaged 45.7 yards a punt.

Outlook: Besides getting Tripplet, Buffalo didn't really do much in free agency and the draft was scrutinized heavily by fans and the media. Losing Moulds did nothing to help an offense that was borderline anemic last season. If Losman can't emerge as a legitimate number one - it could be a long season for the Bills in a division with New England and Miami.

Prediction: Losman still has some growing up to do. Jauron will have them playing better football but the talent just isn't there yet on offense. The Bills go 6-10.


Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!