AFC EAST - BUFFALO BILLS

2006 PREVIEW

The Bills have big problems on both sides of the ball, and only the fact that they are in the same division as the New York Jets prevents us from picking them for the cellar.

The offense ranked 29 th in the league in 2005, and while running back Willis McGahee may be the star of this team, there are just too many questions at the other skill positions to expect much improvement. J.P. Losman proved to be a bust after being handed the quarterback position last year, and is now in a fight with Kelly Holcombe for the starting job this season. Also the Bills traded wide receiver Eric Moulds to Houston while re-signing free agent Peerless Price. Granted Moulds had an off year, but no Buffalo receiver could have had good numbers given the poor quarterback play and Moulds was still the most talented member of the receiving corps. We feel that Price is a downgrade at the position. While McGahee showed some flashes of brilliance while rushing for over 1200 yards last season, even he showed signs of fatigue in the second half rushing for 100 yards just once in the last eight games. Finally the Bills will need improved play from the offensive line.

The defense seems adequate on paper, but it lost two key starters to free agency in defensive back Lawyer Milloy and defensive tackle Justin Bannan, and Buffalo was forced to release DT Sam Adams. Also the current players have to get used to a brand new scheme under new coach Dick Jauron. Opposing teams had no trouble running on the Bills last year averaging a whopping 137.8 rushing yards per game, and Adams was one of their few decent run stoppers. They did draft two defensive linemen with their first five picks, but we feel trading up to 26 th in the first round to tab John McCargo was a big reach. In fact fourth round pick Kyle Williams may have more of an immediate impact on the defensive line before all is said and done.

2006 Prediction: 3 rd Place AFC East