Buffalo Bills (7-9)

2006 season: 7-9
Head Coach: Dick Jauron
Offensive Coordinator: Steve Fairchild
Defensive Coordinator: Perry Fewell
Pro-Bowl: Aaron Schobel (DE) and Brian Moorman (P)

Offense

As a whole the Bills offense was pretty bad, they ranked in the bottom third in all categories and struggled mightily with injuries. Willis McGahee continued to be hampered by injuries and missed two games. Even with missing two games, he still failed to reach 1,000 yards for the first time since becoming a full-time starter. "Whatcha talkin bout" Willis McGahee gained 990 yards,6 touchdowns and for the second straight year, an average of just 3.8 yards per carry. There was some good news, J.P. Losman finally showed the Bills and their fans that he can indeed be a starter in the NFL. He passed for over 3,000 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He should improve more this off season which i'm sure will make alot of people happy in Buffalo. Lee Evans was great this season, he made 82 receptions for 1,292 yards and 8 touchdowns. But besides Evans, there really wasn't much depth, sure Peerless Price played decent in his return to Buffalo, but he only had 402 yards and 49 receptions, which in my opinion are #3 receiver numbers. That's really their problem, they have a great #1 receiver and a bunch of #3 and 4's. They could really use another receiver.

Defense

Buffalo was horrible against the run this year, ranking 28th while giving up 141 yards per game. On the other hand, they were very good at defending the pass, ranking 7th in the NFL. They gave up just 188.7 per game. The Bill's defensive backs all had great season starting with rookie, Donte Whitner. Whitner racked up 104 tackles, 1 interception and 4 passes defended. Then came Terrence McGee who had 76 tackles and 11 passes defended. At the other Safety position, rookie Ko Simpson had a great start to his career with 76 tackles as well, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 2 passes defended. And finally the soon to be free agent, Nate Clements, who had 70 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 touchdown. London Fletcher had a very impressive season, making 146 tackles, leading the team with 4 interceptions, 2 sacks and 1 touchdown. And I can't forget to mention the Pro-Bowler, Aaron Schobel, he had 53 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and he recorded 14 sacks.

Special Teams

The Bills had great special teams this season. Their long time kicker, Rian Lindell hit 92% of his field goals, a total of 23-25. And Pro-Bowler, Brian Moorman had an average of 43.6 per punt, but had 7 touchbacks and 33 punts inside the 2o yard line. Terrence McGee was amazing on kick returns, getting close to 1400 yards, and an average of over 26 per return. And Roscoe Parrish did a great job on punt returns, with over 364 yards, an average of 11.4 per return and 1 touchdown.

Draft Notes

It looks like Nate Clements is content on test the free-agent market, so they Bills will likely take a corner back with their 12th overall pick. They may take Leon Hall, who is thought by many to be the best overall corner back in the draft this year. If for some reason, they decide to go another way, possibly defensive tackle help, they would love to take Amobi Okoye if he is available. They really would love to upgrade the right tackle position, which is currently being held by rookie Terrence Pennington. The Bills also need to find someone that can stop the run at middle linebacker, London Fletcher is an unrestricted free-agent this year, so they could look for a replacement. They might also look to add some depth at wide receiver or tight end.

Positions that must be attended to during the draft.

1. Corner back
2. Offensive Tackle
3. Defensive Tackle
4. Middle Linebacker
5. Tight End/Wide Receiver

CB:

With Nate Clements seemingly leaving for free agency I can assure you the Bills will be looking to get his replacement early in the first day. I think they will take their 12th overall pick and select Leon Hall out of Michigan. Hall is a big, strong CB, that has great understanding of the game and he can create turnovers.

OT:

They would like to upgrade their right tackle spot in this draft. They did put rookie Terrence Pennington there this year, but they weren't really that impressed. Doug Free(NIU), Ryan Harris(ND) and Brandon Frye(VT) could all be available in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

DT:

One of the biggest problems with the Bill's defense, was their run defense or lack there of. They could look at getting a defensive tackle anywhere from the first round all the way to the fourth. That leaves them with a wide variety of players they could take. If they go for one in the first, then it will be Amobi Okoye out of Louisville if available, if they go to the second round, it could be someone like Quinn Pitcock(OSU), if they go the third round then it could be someone like Brandon Mebane(Cal) or if they decide to wait till the fourth round, they could still find someone like Marcus Thomas(FLA) or Jay Alford(PSU) still hanging around.

MLB:

London Fletcher is an unrestricted free agent this year, and the Bills don't have anyone that replace him on their roster. A couple of players that could play very well in their system are H.B. Blades(PITT), Anthony Waters(CLEM), who missed the whole year last season due to a torn ACL and Justin Warren(TEX A&M) could all help fill that hole and help stop the run.

TE/WR:

The reason I have a slash here, is because they have a need for both, but there might be too many receivers taken by the 4th or later rounds, which is probably where Buffalo would start to look at them. And Robert Royal who is currently their starter at tight end isn't really that great. So they could look at getting a tight end instead and looking at getting a veteran receiver in free agency, someone like Donte' Stallworth.

Alot of people have the Bills as a 9-10 win team, although I think they have a pretty good team, I don't see them winning 10 games or even 9. They will likely be at best 8-8 in my opinion.