To keep Bills coverage fresh here at BuffaloWins from here on out I’ll be running a weekly (maybe every two weeks) post throughout the season that poses and answers the most relevant and timely questions surrounding Buffalo’s beloved and usually frustrating football team.
We aren’t quite to the point when the games actually count, but this preseason has been anything but dull for the Bills on and off the field. Here’s what I’d characterize as the Bills “frequently asked questions” right now. The first installment…
Who Will Start At Left Guard?
Following the offensive line’s poor showing in Denver, (more specifically left tackle Demetrius Bell) Chan Gailey went with a little musical chairs along the offensive front during last week’s practices before the team’s win against the Jaguars on Saturday. Bell started at left tackle against Jacksonville but was replaced by incumbent left guard Andy Levitre as the game progressed. Not only was Gailey disappointed with Bell’s apparent regression in the first two preseason games, but he hasn’t been pleased with Levitre’s play during the preseason either. It looks like the edges of the offensive line will be the weak links this season, but when all is said and done, Bell will man his left tackle spot allowing Levitre to move back to left guard. I think Gailey wanted to shuffle both guys and give Levitre time in the second half with the backups to remind each player that although there isn’t really anybody pushing them, they must improve their technique and become more consistent. I like that. Both Bell and Levitre were sound at the left tackle spot against Jacksonville, but they weren’t exactly facing Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller or even Aaron Kampman who was held out of the game. The wake up call was necessary and hopefully will allow Bell and Levitre to play their positions with more strength, more poise and better positioning this season. I would be shocked if Levitre isn’t lined up next to new center Eric Wood in Week One.
Who Will Be the Second Leading Receiver?
If you’re a prisoner of the moment, Marcus Easley’s performance against the Jaguars has you nearly certain he’ll start as the team’s No. 2 opposite Steve Johnson and will accumulate No. 2 receiver-type numbers in 2011. A few weeks ago, Donald Jones was penciled into that spot. To be honest, I don’t think a clear-cut No. 2 will emerge this season, and that’s fine. Gailey loves using a myriad of wide receiver sets and Fitzpatrick has no problem spreading the ball around. However, the second-leading receiver in terms of statistics will be Roscoe Parrish. It has been easy to forget about Parrish (who’s been nursing an injury that isn’t serious) with the Evans trade, the insertion of Jones into the starting lineup and the impressive game from Easley. I get that. But remember, last season Gailey finally tapped into Parrish’s talents and the speedster was arguably Fitzpatrick’s favorite target before his season-ending injury against the Bears in Toronto. Parrish is now the team’s veteran wideout and will undoubtedly be used as the team’s “Wes Welker” in 2011. (hate using that term, but it gets the point across.) People say they are excited to see what Gailey will do with Brad Smith, I’m more interested in how he utilizes Parrish in the short, bubble-screen passing game especially if the offensive line has trouble protecting Fitzpatrick. I envision a big year for No. 11.
Who Will Lead the Team In Sacks?
OK, so I’m not sure how many people are really wondering who will lead the team in sacks at this juncture, but it’s a question worth discussing. The easy answer is Shawne Merriman and if he stays healthy, which is a gigantic “IF”, he will most likely be the guy. Let’s just say Merriman spends some time on the sidelines – who’s the next candidate? Right now, for me, that guy is Alex Carrington. He bulked up 20 pounds this offseason and has gotten reps as an outside linebacker during training camp and in the preseason. Last season he was a little lost, as most players are in a transition from the Sun Belt Conference to the pros, but based on what I saw at St. John Fisher College and what he has shown during the exhibition games Carrington could be in for somewhat of a breakout year. I don’t think he’ll led the AFC in sacks by any means, but with all the attention on Kyle Williams, Merriman and Marcell Dareus, keep your eyes on Carrington.
What Will Be The Key To the Defense?
Pass rush. Simple as that. If the Bills can create anything resembling a steady pass rush without bringing the house, they’ll be 10x better in 2011. It goes without saying that the run defense will improve (hard to get much worse) for many reasons. The majority of reporters, analysts and fans blamed the defensive line last season for their inability to stop the run, but for me, it was the horrendous linebacking corp (yes, that means you Posluszny) which is far and away a stronger unit this year. The defensive line is better too, obviously, thanks to Dareus and the aforementioned Carrington, so at the point of attack, it won’t be as easy to run the football. The secondary isn’t elite, but watch how many more interceptions and pass breakups they have with a respectable pas rush in front of them. The Bills aren’t necessarily known for their exotic blitz packages like the Jets or Ravens anyway, so pressuring the quarterback with as little guys as possible will be crucial.
Will Fred Jackson Lose Carries?
There was a report during the Denver game that the Bills coaching staff was favoring C.J. Spiller as the team’s starting running back. Whether you want to believe that or not, to me, the staff wanted to give Spiller a fair shot in a starting role for a meaningless preseason as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. I have no problem with that. The only way he becomes a more well-rounded back is if he gets time behind the starting line and faces a first-team defense. We saw in the Jaguars game that the Bills know who the starting running back is will feature Jackson this season. He is better between the tackles and has a knack to sneak through even the smallest running lanes. I don’t think he loses a considerable amount of carries to Spiller, because I think Spiller will be used as more of a slot guy and on third downs when Jackson would usually come out of the game anyway. With that being said, if Spiller has a huge game at the beginning of the season, I may want to reconsider my answer, because he certainly is much more of a game-breaker than Jackson.
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