ohall said:
I'll remind you like I try and remind most Dolphin fans around here, it is just pre-season.
In short do not count your chickens before they hatch my friend. It's great advice, really.
I'm not counting chickens or Super Bowls. I leave that to twelve-year-olds and Jests fans on GangGreen.com.
Here's why I think that the Bills are going to be in the thick of the hunt for the AFC East title based on their performance in the first two preseason games:
1. JP Losman. Tom Brady and Ben Rothlisberger proved that with good coaching, a youngster can take a good team deep into the playoffs -- and maybe win. Losman has handled himself as well as those two did in their debut seasons. He gives the Bills the added weapon of a mobile QB, especially down near the goal line.
2. Discipline. The Bills had a truckload of penalties at Indy. They had 8 in the GB game, including only 2 in the first half. They had only 1 "false start" and 1 "too many men" (both in the second half). They had no really stupid penalties like "roughing the passer", "excessive celebration", "late hits" etc. Only 1 fumble, and that was recovered by the Bills, and it was, again, by second teamers. No INTs.
3. Opportunism. Playing a "short field" because the D forced a turnover or the ST made a great return is nothing new for the Bills because they had that last year. The difference is that too often last year they had to settle for FGs rather than TDs. Against GB, the first team offense scored 10 points off good returns and the second team offense scored another TD off an interception.
4. Depth. New England proved that a good coaching system and a relentless hunt for talent can turn into depth at key positions. The Bills had four undrafted free agents contribute to the team in 2004, and they've got another good crop of UFAs this year because the word's gotten out that the Bills give everybody they bring to camp a real shot to make the team. Some of the kids that get cut by the Bills will catch on elsewhere; they're that good. Especially good depth: DBs, backup RBs, and LBs (probably all of the veteran backups could be starting elsewhere).
5. Coaching staff. Mularkey is a low key guy on the side-lines, and, I suspect, at practices, too. So, when he does raise his voice, players listen. He's not getting overly excited, and that seems to be reflected in the players, especially the youngsters. This also seems to be a coaching staff that's filled with
teachers, and it shows in the development of Losman, in the re-emergence of Mike Williams (and the general improvement in the oline) as well as all the talent on the defense.
6. Improvement in kicking game. Ryan Lindell seems to have worked on strengthening his leg. He kicked two nice ones against GB and only missed a second 54-yarder (it had the distance, though!). A kicker with confidence can help a good team "steal" a win or two during the season and is essential for a playoff run.
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