Rant Sports Week One in Review
Bills’ offense looks to improve against the Packers
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It has been said that what goes down must come back up. If that is truly the case, then Newton’s laws provide some evidence that the Bills’ offense must be taking steps in the right direction. In fact, I would argue that as disappointing as the week 1 performance was, the Bills’ offense is already strides ahead of where it was last year. However, the question still remains: When will Trent Edwards be given complete control of the playbook?
Edwards, a Stanford graduate, has shown to have the intelligence to master this position. Last season, Dick Jauron tried to use the no-huddle offense to turn the reigns over, but this was very unsuccessful as well. Will Chan Gailey give Edwards the green light to be a play maker on offense? Only time will tell. My guess would be that in week 2, Edwards will take on a role that has less to do with conservative game management and more to do with trying to make plays. If this happens, I believe that he is accurate enough to make some big plays down field, like the 31 yard touchdown pass to Roscoe Parrish on the 4th and 11 during the fourth quarter of the game against the Dolphins.
As far as the run game goes, I would say that will be much improved as well. It is going to be difficult working enough touches to Marshawn Lynch, CJ Spiller, and Fred Jackson during the course of one game. I do believe though, Gailey has a scheme up his sleeve to make this offense much more productive and it will start with these guys. As Gailey said on the Buffalo Bills’ website, he plans to continue forward with all three guys getting significant touches.
I would project that this weekend’s game is going to be much more competitive with more home-run style plays. On Thursday, we will preview the match up against the Packers.
Bills fall to Dolphins 15-10
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The score doesn’t show how lopsided this game was. In fact, without watching the game, it would be hard to see how badly the Bills constantly backed themselves into a corner. Overall, the Bills were out-gained on the ground and in the air, had fewer first downs the the Dolphins, and had way more penalties. Simply put, the Buffalo Bills will have to go back to the drawing board to prepare for week two.
The Bills scored on a Rian Lindell field goal to make the score 10-3 in the first half. Going into half time, Lindell tried what was about a 62 yard attempt that fell just short of making the game 10-6. After halftime, the Bills’ defense woke up and went to work, allowing only three more offensive points for the rest of the game.
Trailing 13-3, the Bills scored a touchdown on a 31 yard touchdown pass from Trent Edwards to Roscoe Parrish. The pass occurred on a questionable 4th and 11 in the fourth quarter where a field goal would have made it a one possession game. Chan Gailey has made a name for being an innovator, and this type of call was further evidence of his aggressive play.
A call that back fired against Gailey however, was the punt play that resulted in a safety with the Bills needing to travel at least 70 yards to tie the game. On a fourth down play from their own one yard line, the Bills appeared to make an intentional safety when the long snapper threw the ball out of the back of the end zone. If this was an intentional call, I’m not sure that I completely understand the decision. Although the game was all but hopeless, I think you must take a shot in that situation. The safety for the Dolphins provided the final score of 15-10. Thankfully Bills’ fans, next week is a new week.
Bills name 2010 Captains
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With the start of the 2010 NFL season here, the Buffalo Bills’ have selected their captains for 2010, as chosen by players and coaches in the organization.
Starting Quarterback Trent Edwards and Wide Receiver Lee Evans were named the captains on the offense. Edwards is a fourth year veteran who has had this honor before. After surviving a career roller-coaster of proportions, Edwards seems poised to reposition the Bills as a true contender in the NFL. Evans is a seventh year veteran who has seen his share of different quarterbacks, coaches, and styles of play during his tenure with Buffalo. However, Evans has always been a very reliable receiver and has played a huge role in Buffalo’s recent successes.
Veteran linebacker Chris Kelsay and defensive end Marcus Stroud will represent the Bills’ on defense. Kelsay, entering his eighth year in the league, is a three time captain and has been a solid anchor on the Bills’ defense. Stround, a ten year veteran, has been named as a captain for the first time in his career; this is an honor for him that is long overdue.
Rounding out the captains are safety George Wilson and punter Brian Moorman, who are both representing special teams. Moorman is a tenth year veteran who has been widely publicized as one of the best punters in the NFL. He has had various honors as a punter including being elected as a Pro Bowl player.
Wilson, Edwards, and Kelsay have been elected captains for three straight years, which is a good sign of leadership and things to come.
Spiller named starter for Sunday vs. Dolphins
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It is official: C.J. Spiller will be the starting running back against the Miami Dolphins. Spiller was the feature back for most of the 2010 preseason after Fred Jackson broke a bone in his hand and Marshawn Lynch suffered a severe ankle sprain. This announce from Buffalo Head Coach Chan Gailey comes just four days prior to the Bills’ season opener.
I believe that this decision will give Bills’ fans a spark of hope that they haven’t had in a few years. When a first round pick can come into an organization and contribute immediately, that proves to be good for the organization.
Dolphins’ Head Coach Tony Sparano believes that the Bills’ will run a wildcat offense, among other things on Sunday:
“First of all, I know that Chan’s history is one that he’s done whatever he has to do to move the football and he has utilized his personnel as best he can,” Sparano said. ”That’s really what we did when we started the Wildcat thing. As far as them running it, I’ve seen everybody else running it so it’s not something new anymore. And most defenses are now having to prepare for it every day against their own team. Do I expect to see it this weekend? I expect to see a little bit of everything this weekend.” (http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/09/09/sparano-expecting-bills-wildcat/)
