<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Buffalo Bills</span><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Looking Back:</span>The Buffalo Bills weren't expecting very big things going into the 2005 season, but figured they'd walk away with more than they did. Willis McGahee, Eric Moulds and Lee Evans gave quarterback J.P. Losman the weapons needed to put up points, and a solid defense featuring Takeo Spikes, Laywer Milloy, Sam Adams and others seemed to keep up its hard nosed reputation. However it wasn't long, four weeks to be exact, until J.P. Losman was pulled in favor of veteran Kelly Holcomb. The team had gone 1-3 in those four games started by Losman, who's best showing in those games was a 170 yard, 1 TD performance against the lackluster Houston Texans defense. Both QBs had eight starts on the season, with Holcomb easily outplaying Losman. The defense fell apart with a big season ending injury to Takeo Spikes and sudden decline of Sam Adams. The offensive line was a mess and can be blamed for the struggles of Willis McGahee. The Buffalo Bills ended the 2005 season 5-11, good for third place in the AFC East. The team entered the off-season with many questions surrounding almost every aspect of the franchise.<span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Key Acquisitions:</span>Larry Triplett, Defensive Tackle:Triplett, a former Colt, was signed to replace the departed Sam Adams and provides the Bills with an immediate upgrade at the defensive tackle position after having to start new there this off-season. Triplett is expected to start immediately next to Tim Anderson.Melvin Fowler, Center:Not the sexiest signing this off-season, but something had to be done to Buffalo's offensive line and after losing Terry Teague to the Jets they had to fill the hole before their line looked even worse. Fowler isn't the most talented center in the league but has a ton of potential and should immediately start at center for Buffalo.Craig Nall, Quarterback:Nall's signing came with a ton of speculation, saying everything from J.P. Losman's release to Nall actually immediately starting. Nall may be nothing more than the third QB for Buffalo this year, but the speculation is there for a reason because under new management this likely is Losman's last chance to succeed, and Nall is a solid second string QB if he were to be let go. This may be a move that doesn't impact the team until 2007, but is a sign of things to come. <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">The Draft:</span>Donte Whitner, Strong Safety:The Bills stayed put at #8 with guys like Brodrick Bunkley and Winston Justice on the board, and that was the direction they were expected to go. However the team provided us with the first surprise of the draft, taking Whitner who was expected to go somewhere from 10-15 at the best. Immediate reaction was that it was a reach and Buffalo should have traded down if they wanted to pick him, but I will continue to stand my ground and back up the Bills. Whitner is a special talent who could have been picked by Detroit at #9, one pick after Buffalo, and the risk shouldn't have been taken. Brodrick Bunkley could have been a better selection there, but the Bills later filled their hole at defensive tackle with yet another highly criticized pick.John McCargo, Defensive Tackle:The Bills used their second and third round pick (one of two in the round) to move up into the first round and select McCargo, someone who many so-called analysts claimed would have lasted until the second, maybe third round. That however is not the case and again, I will continue to back up Buffalo with this pick. The Pittsburgh Steelers moved up to the Giants' spot in the first round just one pick before this one, and I believe that McCargo would have been New York's pick at #32. However Buffalo spoiled that plan immediately trading up and getting their man, who they were probably targeting in the second round until they saw Big Blue's move and (accurately) predicted their strategy. It may take a year for McCargo to start, but he should be on the field for passing downs immediately.Ko Simpson, Free Safety:The Bills stole Simpson in the fourth round, one of the main reasons I have him here over guys like Ashton Youboty and Kyle Williams, although both were steals as well in the third and fifth round, respectively. Simpson seemed like a sure fire first day pick, likely in the mid-late second round. It was extremely surprising to see him fall this far, and Buffalo pounced on him making him their free safety of the future. Troy Vincent has only a year or two left and Simpson is basically already ready to step in, so sitting and learning from one of the best won't hurt his cause. Both he and Whitner along with Ashton Youboty should make 3/4 of Buffalo's starting defensive backfield within a couple of seasons, something that will likely shut up many analysts who criticised the picks on draft day. <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Looking Ahead:</span>The Bills have been penciled in as the worst team in the league, and most are already envisioning Brady Quinn as their week 1 starter in 2007. While they may appear to be the worst team on paper and should hold a top five pick in next year's draft at the very best, giving them the worst record this early is jumping the gun. It all comes down to quarterback play, but Lee Evans will hopefully come to his own along with new targets like Robert Royal and possibly second year fellow tight end Kevin Everett who returns from injury. Andre Davis and Peerless Price are no guarantees to even make the team, but if they can return to form they will provide the quarterback, whoever it may be, with big targets in the passing game. Willis McGahee should put up solid numbers behind a re-vamped offensive line, and if either Holcomb or Losman can be somewhat productive the offense should be able to put up decent points each game. However the Bills drastically improved on the defensive side of the ball this season and while some of the key components are young, if they can produce immediately the Buffalo D has a good shot at returning to previous form. Anything more than last place in the division is wishful thinking, but more than 3 or 4 wins is not.
