Tank Carder Has the Right Idea

I'm not sure what "app" he was using (maybe you can enlighten me), but rookie linebacker Tank Carder created something that Bills fans would certainly be interested in seeing become reality:

Super Bowl champions is a title that has long eluded the Buffalo Bills. It's a phrase that has been coveted by Bills fans for 45 years. It'd be fair to say that 2012 is the first time in a long time (probably since the Drew Bledsoe days) that Bills fans felt like their team was a legitimate contender before the season began. The Bills have had their hot starts in the past, but they have never created so much buzz across the league before opening day. It's only July, but there's already only one thing on the minds of the fans, and it appears that there's one thing on the minds of the players. In case you can't figure it out, see above.

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Merriman "Strictly Business"

Check out what Shawne Merriman posted on his Twitter account this afternoon:

That sounds like the mentality of a football player, rather than someone who has been held up by distractions both on and off of the field in the past. There's no secret about Merriman's injuries. They have clearly thrown a wrench into his career. However, both he and the Bills seem much more optimistic about his return to form than they have since he was acquired off of waivers in 2010. Keep in mind that Merriman is in a contract year with the Bills. If he can find some success this season, it could land him a decent payday in the off-season, whether it's with the Bills or another team. At the end of the day, it's encouraging to hear that Merriman (now a backup defensive end) intends to be focused on the football field. After all, his career could be riding on it.

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Tilt with 49ers Moved Back to 4:25p

The NFL is taking another step towards improving the quality of games for its fans. Due to local broadcasting restrictions, often times, CBS and FOX must leave the 'bonus-coverage' broadcast of an exciting early game to broadcast the kick-off a game beginning at 4:15p. To counteract the occurrence this season, the NFL will move all scheduled 4:15p games back ten minutes to 4:25p.

This change will effect the kick-off of the Bills and 49ers at Candlestick Park in Week Five. Instead of a 4:15p start, the game will begin at 4:25p to allow the early game on CBS to reach its conclusion. As Bills lead journalist Chris Brown notes, the Bills are 3-3 on the road against San Francisco. The last time the two clubs met at Candlestick, Lee Evans and Willis McGahee led the way with two touchdowns apiece in a 41-7 dismantling of the 49ers. Buffalo most recently dropped a 10-3 decision to San Francisco in 2008 at the Ralph.

Tickets for Twitter!

Individual game tickets for the Buffalo Bills 2012 season go on sale to the general public Tuesday, July 10th. However, Bills journalist Hannah Buehler reports that there will be a special online pre-sale July 9th! This pre-sale will be available to those who 'like' the Bills on Facebook and follow them on Twitter, as well as e-mail and text message subscribers.

There will be a promo code required to purchase the tickets. Keep in mind that tickets for the home opener against Kansas City and in Week Four against New England are already sold out. However, season tickets are still available for purchase online, at the ticket office, or by calling 1-877-BBTICKS.

Kelly: Fitz's Best Asset is Defense

Yesterday afternoon, Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly spoke with Tim Ryan and Solomon Wilcots on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Of course, he was asked about current Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and what will help him the most as the 2012 season gets set to kickoff. Here's what Kelly had to say:

“As offensive players we always say your defense is your best friend and you go out and get a Mark Anderson from the Patriots, a Mario Williams from the Texans, you get hopefully Shawne Merriman healthy now, a couple of great draft picks the last couple of years, if this team stays healthy and this defense stays healthy then Ryan Fitzpatrick’s best asset will be a dominating defense that will shorten the field for him so he doesn’t feel like he’s carrying the whole burden of the Buffalo Bills, not just the team, but the whole city on his shoulders."

Kelly's assessment that the defense can be an offensive player's best friend is spot on. Last year, the Bills needed Fitzpatrick to win games for them, and he did at the beginning of the season. However, injuries and an often porous defense buried the Bills in the second half of the year. With a new monstrous defensive front, the Bills may not only be able to shorten the field for Fitzpatrick, as Kelly notes, but they may also create more opportunities for the Bills to put points on the board.

Kelly also referred to the fact that this is Fitzpatrick's first FULL off-season as the starting quarterback for the Bills. Trent Edwards started the season in 2010, and last year the lockout eliminated any OTA's that would've taken place. With a full off-season at the facility, as a starter, Fitzpatrick can work with the coaching staff to improve on anything that may have hindered his performance last season.

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Rookie WR Graham Getting Up to Speed

Exit Roscoe Parrish. Enter TJ Graham. While it may be something the lightning quick third round pick (nice rhyme, huh?) isn't used to, getting up to speed with the Bills offense became a lot more complex once the veterans hit the field for mini-camp. Suddenly, Graham was a little bit behind the proverbial eight ball. As Bills lead journalist Chris Brown writes, nine of the other 11 receivers on Buffalo's roster have at least one year's experience in the offense, leaving Graham far behind their level of understanding.

"We have hardly any new faces on offense except for a couple of linemen and him," said head coach Chan Gailey. "Everybody else has been here and knows the system. So we're trying to catch him up."

Graham certainly possess the work ethic and intelligence to fully comprehend Gailey's offensive scheme. However, the head coach is not going to slow down his offensive development just to adhere to a rookie wide receiver. It will be Graham's responsibility to acquaint himself with the offense and get adapted as quickly as he possibly can. As Brown reports, Graham did turn in a couple of touchdowns during OTA's and showed flashes of his electrifying breakaway speed. That kind of production prior to his first training camp is encouraging, but the youngster still has a long way to go in his development into an NFL wide receiver.

"He can run fast. He can catch a football," said coach Gailey. "I'm anxious to see how he can develop as time goes on."

So are we, Chan, so are we.

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5 In, 5 Out

Here's a link to the video I alluded to yesterday featuring Herm Edwards on NFL Live discussing the Buffalo Bills as the first member of the "5 In, 5 Out" series.

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New Sideline Gear from New Era!

Check it out! Less than a month away from training camp, New Era released 2012's sideline collection. This what the players and coaches will be rocking on the sidelines this season. As Bills lead journalist Chris Brown notes, these sideline caps will be available starting July 12th in the Bills Store at One Bills Drive!

Bills Hidden Treasure

I've mentioned in a previous post how the Bills possess a good deal of depth across their roster entering this season. From top to bottom, there is competition at every position and the best man will earn that starting position. That's the way Chan Gailey coaches. We know about the defensive ends, we know about the running backs. But which of the roster positions might have a wealth of talent yet to breakthrough? ESPN's AFC East blogger James Walker examined groups that could exceed pre-season expectations. When it comes to the Bills, Walker says, it's their cornerbacks.

Walker predicts (and presumably so) that Aaron Williams, rookie Stephon Gilmore, and veteran Terrence McGee all figure to play into Buffalo's pass defense, which ranked 19th in the league last season. The combination of young athleticism and crafty veterans could make for a rather effective defensive backfield. However, the bolstered pass rush of the Bills might have the biggest effect on secondary play. As Walker notes, the quicker you get to the quarterback, the more uncomfortable he is, and that could result in more turnovers for the defense. The Bills' competitive group of defensive backs, including the likes of ballhawks Jairus Byrd and George Wilson, could create nightmares for opposing quarterbacks in 2012.

Interestingly, there is no mention of Leodis McKelvin, who finds himself (in a contract year) with what many believe is his last chance with the Bills. Quite frankly, even if he has some success, the Bills may still allow him to hit the free agent market. With Gilmore, Williams, McGee, and up-and-comers like Justin Rogers and Ron Brooks, there is probably no room for McKelvin in the already crowded secondary.

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Edwards: Bills/Jets Wild Card Battle

The New England Patriots seem to be the perennial favorite to win the AFC East this season, at least in the eyes of most mainstream media. Former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards discussed the possibility of the Bills and Jets battling for a wild card spot behind the division champion Patriots, giving a slight edge to the Bills. Edwards likes where the Bills are offensively as compared to the Jets, but favors Rex Ryan's defense, which is interesting considering the upgrades that Buffalo has made. Nevertheless, the Bills, who recorded only 23 sacks last year, and their new defensive weapons have to get it done on the field.

ESPN consulted 22 of their NFL analysts to come up with five teams who missed the post-season last year that will reach the playoffs in 2012. Thus, five teams who made it last year will not make it this year. This exercise was performed because over the last 16 NFL seasons, at least five teams have made the playoffs who failed to do so in the previous year. The Bills were featured on ESPN's NFL Live and NFL32 as one of the five teams "in" the playoffs for 2012. Edwards again agreed that the Bills have a slight edge over the Jets, as well as the idea that their schedule is favorable. The Bills, as Edwards points out, play only one ELITE level quarterback this year, that being their pair of matchups with Tom Brady and the Patriots. Mark Schlereth agreed with this notion, and added that the Bills offensive linemen were "mashing people" up front before the injury bug caught up with them.

Hard to disagree with any of that, except maybe the part where the Bills can only compete for the wild card spot. This is a team that defeated New England last season when healthy, and jumped out to a 21-0 lead in New England last year with no playoff aspirations. Given ten returning starters on offense, some major upgrades on defense, I don't see any reason why the Bills can't compete with New England for the AFC East crown.

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Graham: AFC East Player Rankings

Tim Graham of The Buffalo News has created a countdown of his top 25 players in the AFC East, beginning here in Buffalo at number 25 with Eric Wood. Obviously, it's difficult to measure Wood's success with statistics, but it does say something that Graham would list him despite the fact that he played in only nine games last season. Wood has suffered some major setbacks in his short career, including a compound fracture of his leg as well as a torn ACL.

Although injuries have slowed him down, Wood continues to demonstrate that he is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the NFL. He committed only one holding penalty last season before his injury, and ProFootballFocus.com tallied no sacks against him. Hopefully for the Bills, Wood will remain healthy for a full 16 game schedule. At center, he is their anchor up front and a lot of their success on offense hinges on his ability to lead that offensive line.

There are sure to be more Bills on Graham's list. Be sure to check in with Graham's online blog, Press Coverage, every day until training camp for various Bills information, and of course, the remainder of the countdown.

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Graham: Better Depth, Better Special Teams?

It's the National Football League. Sure, there's prolific, high octane offenses. Sure, there's stout, hard-hitting defenses. But what about a potent, high energy special teams? It seems like that third aspect of football often gets overlooked when talking about a team's success, or lack thereof. Special teamers are generally made up of reserve linebackers, cornerbacks, and wide receivers, among others. Success on special teams often relates to a team's depth at each of these positions. As Tim Graham of The Buffalo News points out, "the Buffalo Bills have depth up and down their roster like they haven't had in many years."

Will the added depth translate to strength on special teams? That remains to be seen. However, under Chan Gailey, the Bills have certainly made strides towards improving the overall quality of their roster. Players earn their starting or backup positions and the depth chart is adjusted accordingly. With so much competition at every position, the Bills find themselves with a number quality players at each position, whereas in the past (as Graham notes), they fielded certain players simply because there was no one else. The Bills no longer have those established role players strictly for special teams. Every player will be capable of playing first through third down, if need be. They've even added a power kicker in John Potter, who will have the sole responsibility to blast the ball out of the endzone on kickoffs.

Defense has dominated the headlines this off-season for the Bills, but there might be something "special" about their special teams, too.

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Byrd on ESPN

Bills lead journalist Chris Brown noted that Bills safety Jairus Byrd will be appearing on the ESPN family of networks this afternoon. He posted the following schedule:

3:40 - SportsCenter on ESPNews
4:00 - NFL Live on ESPN
5:00 - SportsNation on ESPN2
6:15 - NFL32 on ESPN2

Byrd will undoubtedly answer questions about the Bills new-look defense this year with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson now in the fold. Check it out this afternoon!

Ochocino Has Words for Williams

It's no secret that new Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (Johnson? Whatever he calls himself, nowadays) often uses Twitter as a medium for trash talk. One of his most recent targets is Buffalo Bills cornerback Aaron Williams. Check out what the two had to say to one another:

While this appears to be some "friendly" competition amongst two great athletes, you can bet your bottom dollar that the two will reference this quarrel on the field at some point. I can't really say which player is better on their X-Box, but I do think that on the field they present a terrific matchup for one another. Ochocinco says he's allowed to be himself again, now that he has cut ties with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, which means we might see more of that touchdown dancing, "How Do You Stop 85?" Chad this season. However, Williams is a confident player in his own right. Although the rookie struggled at times in coverage and with injury last season, he demonstrated vast improvement over the last couple of weeks. That should make for an interesting "new vs. old" matchup with he and Ochocinco in their two games this season. If Williams really want to get under Ochocinco's skin, he could reference the fact that while he only played in nine games his rookie season, he still saw the field more than Ochocinco did in New England. Just saying.

Mini-Camp Awards

As mini-camp wrapped up this week, Bills lead journalist Chris Brown highlighted the most impressive performances over the past month of workouts and offseason training activities. You should definitely taken a look at Brown's analysis, but here is who he felt deserved recognition for their performance:

Most improved: CB Justin Rogers
Most encouraging: DE Shawne Merriman
Most consistent: S George Wilson and WR David Nelson
Best unit: Defensive line
Best rookie: CB Stephon Gilmore and OT Cordy Glenn
Biggest surprise: FB/TE Dorin Dickerson
Biggest playmakers: TE Scott Chandler and S George Wilson

It comes as no surprise to anyone that the defensive line would perform as the best unit. The Bills spent a boatload of money revamping their front four and it seems as though they will be a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully on Sunday's, they will pay dividends. George Wilson made the list twice, which is also no surprise considering he notched four interceptions in only 13 practices. Again, his success, as well as the emergence of Stephon Gilmore, could be a direct result of added pressure by the defensive line. Shawne Merriman could play heavily into that, but his health will of course determine his output this season. Nevertheless, he fully participated this past week, which as Brown says, is encouraging.

Offensively, David Nelson and Scott Chandler continue to emerge as passing threats for Ryan Fitzpatrick. They each have excellent hands that will move the chains. Chandler figures to be a big redzone target, as well. Dorin Dickerson may be somewhat of an x-factor in Buffalo's offense this season. He could figure to play that "H-back" role made popular by Chris Cooley of the Redskins. Texans tight end Owen Daniels was also an H-back in college and was converted into a very successful tight end. The Bills hope to have similar results with Dickerson. All of this success will hinge on one thing, and that's the big guys up front. With four returning starters, the offensive line has one gaping hole at left tackle. Rookie Cordy Glenn played every snap with the first team this past week, going up against that vaunted defensive front. If he gels with the offensive line quicker than the Bills had hoped, that could make for a very efficient Bills offense this season.

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Can Bills Handle Hype, Expectations?

It's no surprise that the Bills are facing mighty high expectations this year around the league and from their fans. Mired in a 12-year playoff hiatus, the 2012 off-season marks the first time in recent memory that the Bills have demonstrated the desire to get back to the post-season. The front office courted the most prolific defensive free agent available in Mario Williams, as well as addressed many needs through the NFL Draft. However, although all of that success looks good on paper, games are played on the field. That's where the real success is derived. As Kevin Fishbain for Pro Football Weekly writes, there is reason to be skeptical about this Bills team, but they have a locker room like no other.

The Bills roster certainly seems to bond very well with one another. Fishbain points out the fact that they possess a group of guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson, and Steve Johnson, who were passed over by the entire league before making the most of their opportunities with the Bills. Each plays with the proverbial chip on their shoulder, making for great leaders amongst a group of players who have taken similar paths to the NFL. The difference with the Bills over the past couple of seasons under general manger Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey is that they've begun to acquire established NFL talent in areas of need. The obvious name is Mario Williams, but let's not forget Mark Anderson, Nick Barnett, Kirk Morrison, Brad Smith, and Vince Young, all of whom will play an important role for this Buffalo squad in 2012. Yes, a 12-year absence from the playoffs will make anyone doubtful, but this year may bring a new era to Buffalo Bills football. It's certainly brought a new attitude.

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Graham: Merriman "at peace" as Backup

It's incredible how far Shawne Merriman's stock has fallen since recording 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons in the NFL. He has been plagued by injuries over the past four seasons, in which he has notched only five sacks. When it seems as though Merriman is healthy and confident again, he has suffered setbacks. He unsuccessfully tried to play through injury in 2010 with the Chargers, only to be waived mid-season and claimed by the Bills. The 2005 defensive rookie of the year, who was once feared so much as a pass rusher with the Chargers, now finds himself in a backup role with the Bills. As Tim Graham writes, Merriman "seems OK with that, yet not in a complacent way."

The Bills rolled the dice with Merriman prior to the 2011 season, inking the now 28-year old to a two year, $10 million deal. The first year saw him start the season's first five games, recording one sack, only to suffer another setback with his achilles injury that forced another season-ending surgery. Merriman will serve essentially as an X-factor on the Buffalo defense this season. He certainly possesses some boom or bust potential. If he is healthy, there is always the opportunity for him to flourish. However, if he remains bothered by injury, the Bills can simply let him walk after the season concludes. Regardless, his contract will expire after this season. If he returns to form, the Bills likely won't pony up the dough to keep him around, especially as a backup. If he does not, they'll likely let him hit the free agent market, as well. Yes, it appears as though this may be Merriman's last season in Buffalo. Hopefully for Merriman, the Bills, and their fans, it's a productive one. Otherwise, it might be "Lights Out" on the relatively young pass rusher's career.

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Johnson/Gilmore Offer Praise

As mini-camp wrapped up yesterday afternoon, Bills rookie cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Steve Johnson each took to Twitter to complement one another on their abilities.

Gilmore's analysis of Johnson's route running is spot on. Eight-time Pro Bowler and (should be) future Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter even went as far as to say that Johnson is the best in the NFL at getting himself off of press coverage. He displayed such abilities last year against probably the best man-to-man corner in the league in Darrelle Revis. The Bills figure to rely heavily again on Johnson, the only receiver in franchise history with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, in this year's passing attack. If they can solidify Donald Jones, Marcus Easley, or Derek Hagan as another threat in the passing game, it should mean bigger and brighter things for the Buffalo offense.

It's also very promising that Gilmore is getting acclimated to the NFL against one of its better wide receivers. He'll be facing quite a few more this year, like Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson just to name a few. He'll have some help in the secondary with veterans Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin, as well as another promising young talent in Aaron Williams. Nevertheless, the praise that Johnson offers Gilmore in return seems to signify that Gilmore might be one of the better cover corners in the league someday. Hopefully for the Bills and their fans, that day comes sooner rather than later.

Ya Boy, Stevie: Bay Area Motto

Although it's a couple of months old, I wanted to take a minute to recognize another talent of Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson - his rapping that you may have seen on ESPN or YouTube. For those of you that don't know, Stevie's cousin, rapper Ya Boy, is signed to the Konvict Muzik label and has released a wealth of mixtapes over the years. More recently, he and Stevie covered "The Motto," a song made popular by superstar artists Lil' Wayne and Drake. I must warn you, there is some explicit language in the song. Despite that, I want to diversify my posts as well as make fans aware of what some of the players are doing outside of football. If you're not a hip-hop fan, you need not go on. If you are, I present to you, "Bay Area Motto," by Ya Boy and our very own Stevie Johnson.

Rosenthal: Dareus a Star in the Making

In his trip around all 32 NFL teams, NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal examines one player from each team that is poised to breakout this season. When it comes to the Bills, Rosenthal says that defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is set to be a star. Ranked by NFL analyst Mike Mayock as the top player available in the 2011 NFL Draft, Dareus quietly experienced a wealth of success for the Bills last year. He played in all 16 games, starting 15, and recorded 5.5 sacks as a nose tackle on a 3-4 defense that primarily asked him to swallow up blockers.

This season, it appears as though the sky is the limit for Dareus, not only does he have a full off-season under his belt (the lockout prohibited such in 2011), but the Bills have made massive improvements along their defensive line. This, as Rosenthal points out, will cause a lot of teams to have to dedicate only one blocker to Dareus, who has the size and agility to create problems for even the best of offensive linemen. Additionally, the Bills have returned to a 4-3 front under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, which means that Dareus won't be asked simply to eat up blockers anymore. He'll be chasing the ball on every play.

Dareus figures to start alongside the returning Kyle Williams in the middle of superstar Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, and others such as former Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman and Chris Kelsay. That's right, the Bills five-man pass rush could consist of Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, and Shawne Merriman, who have combined for 151 career sacks. The wealth of talent along the line could vault the Bills from worst to first in terms of their pass rush, and as we've seen across the league, the success of your pass rush has a trickle-down effect to the rest of your defense.

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My Recent Purchase

Took my passion for the franchise a little bit further and ordered these license plates. So if you see them on a silver Mustang, you'll know it's me! BILLIEVE was taken, but I think I like this even more. The 13 as the I-E makes sense, because, well, Stevie Johnson wears the number. Feel free to share any thoughts!

CB Williams Healthy, Hungry

Bills second year cornerback Aaron Williams has experienced quite the NFL roller coaster in just one short year. The lingering lockout prohibited him from gaining any experience in OTA's, throwing him right into the mix of an NFL training camp just 11 months ago. Williams suffered what appeared to be a significant neck injury in week three against New England, ultimately sidelining him for eight weeks. He returned in week 11, recording five passes defended, one forced fumble, and his first career interception over the last seven games.

This year, in his first round of OTA's with the Bills, Williams is healthy and much more hungry and aggressive. writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. To see this type of attitude from such a young player speaks volumes about his character both on and off the field. While Williams may not be a week one starter, he continues to make strides on the Buffalo defense. With Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, and rookie Stephon Gilmore in the mix, there will be plenty of different sets that the Bills will employ with their defensive backs this season. Nevertheless, Williams will see his fair share of snaps this season, and with the improvements that the Bills made in their front seven, it should mean great things for a talented secondary.

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Day 2: Easley's #2

It's been a tough first two seasons in the NFL for Bills wide receiver Marcus Easley. His first never got off the ground, as he was shelved with a knee injury in training camp that landed him on injured reserve. After showing a wealth of promise in last year's training camp and pre-season, the Bills had high hopes for Easley, especially after trading Lee Evans. However, a heart condition troubled him just before the season opener and again landed him on IR. This year, Easley is once again back into the thick of things in the Bills wide receiver corps.

Although Donald Jones and Derek Hagan had been working primarily as the number two receivers up to this point, Bills lead journalist Chris Brown reports that Easley was worked more into the mix today. It'll certainly be intriguing to see where Easley lines up once training camp opens. Entering last year, he seemed to have the number two spot locked down before his rare heart condition forced him to miss the whole season. He has demonstrated some eye-opening route running ability and stellar hands in his short time with the Bills, albeit in practice or pre-season. Jones didn't do much to hold down the position into this season, and Hagan is still somewhat of a newcomer, so Easley figures to be in the mix come July. If the former fourth round pick out of UConn can pick up right where he left off, the Bills may be able to unleash a new secret weapon for Ryan Fitzpatrick.

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ESPN's Clayton: Bills 9-7, Wildcard.

ESPN's John Clayton made early predictions for 2012, suggesting that the Bills will end the regular season at 9-7, finish second in the AFC East, and take home the conference's last playoff spot. AFC East blogger James Walker played "More or Less?" with Clayton's analysis. Here's what he wrote:

"I agree with Clayton that nine is a good number for Buffalo. This is a good year for someone to surprise and make a move in the AFC East. The Patriots will be a juggernaut. But second place is wide open, and Buffalo has as good a chance as anyone." 

Walker suggests that there are still two obstacles facing the Bills. First is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who struggled mightily after signing his new contract last season. However, reports surfaced after the season that Fitz was playing through broken ribs, which is certain to have an effect on a quarterback's ability to deliver accurate passes. This year, barring injury, there are no excuses for the Bills quarterback. He must live up to the $50+ million contract the Bills gave him. With nine other returning starters, including the likes of Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson, and Scott Chandler (who the Bills locked up with contracts this Spring), Fitzpatrick must demonstrate improvement and consistency throughout the season, or it may be his last with the Bills.

The second is the quality of the division. While nobody really knows how the Jets and Dolphins will respond to off-season changes, the one constant in the AFC East is usually the Patriots. Having won only one divisional game last year, the Bills will certainly have to improve on that number if they are to have any post-season hopes. This seems like as good a year as any for the Bills to thrive in the AFC East, with the Dolphins rebuilding under a new coach and the Jets acquiring themselves what seems to be an almost certain quarterback controversy. We'll find out early on in the season if the Bills are poised to compete for the AFC East crown, as they square off with both the Jets and Patriots in September.

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95 for 95

Many of you might be following the NFL Network's Top 100 players countdown, where Fred Jackson is the only Buffalo Bill to appear, coming in at number 83. However, FOX Sports has a countdown of their own top 100 players, where Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams came in, ironically, at number 95. Here's what FOX Sports had to say about the Pro Bowl defensive lineman:

"Williams won’t be on many other top 100 lists, but he belongs here. A ferocious defensive lineman in the 3-4, he’ll be even better in Dave Wannstedt’s 4-3. The undersized tackle had a monster 2010 season before suffering an injury and missing most of 2011. The Bills went out and got Marcell Dareus in the 2011 draft and Mario Williams and Mark Anderson as free agents this offseason. Williams could be the most valuable of the four up front. All that hype for this defensive line? It’s warranted. They’re going to be good. Very good."

Williams has always been one of the more underrated players across the league. As a defensive tackle on a team mired in a 12-year playoff drought, it's not a very big surprise that Williams has struggled to gain nationwide attention. However, there is no doubt that he is a force in the middle of the trenches on game-day. The Bills were 4-1 when both Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman went down with injuries. Each missed the rest of the season and the Bills faltered down the stretch to a 6-10 record. With both back and (hopefully) healthy, Marcell Dareus next to Williams, and the additions of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, there might be a few more Bills gaining national attention this year. More importantly, the cavalcade of talent on the Bills defensive line might chalk up to an extra digit in the win column.

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Sporting News Gives Bills 'A'

Vinny Iyer of the Sporting News recently graded all 32 NFL teams on their 2012 off-season moves, and our very own Buffalo Bills are at the top. The Bills are one of three teams (along with the Patriots and the Broncos) to receive an 'A' grade. Here is what Iyer had to say regarding the Bills: 

"Where the Bills fall short on quantity they make up for in quality. With the switching back to a 4-3 defense under Dave Wannstedt, it was imperative for them to add bookend pass rushers. Williams won't disappoint as the most coveted defensive player on the market, and Anderson brings his fine complementary pass-rush skills from the Patriots. The pressure they’ll provide up front should help rookie Gilmore settle in well at cornerback."


It'd be hard for anyone to disagree with Iyer's analysis, as many who cover the league agree that the Bills have not only had one of the best off-seasons across the league, but also one of the team's most (if not THE most) stellar off-seasons in the history of the franchise. Perhaps the most concerning thing for the Bills is that the Patriots also put together a terrific off-season, leading many across the league to believe that they will repeat as AFC East champions. The Bills' sole division win last year came in Week 3 against those Patriots, and if they are to unseat the Pats as champs, they'll likely have to at least split the season series again. With 10 returning starters on offense and a re-vamped defense, the Bills may be presented with their best opportunity in recent memory to force a changing of the guard in the AFC East.

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Mini-Camp Storylines

The Bills three-day, mandatory mini-camp begins tomorrow. It will be the last time the team is required to attend off-season workouts and activities before training camp begins at the end of July.

ESPN's James Walker highlights three things to watch at this week's mini-camp session. In order, they are the return of Steve Johnson, the pass rush, and backup quarterbacks. It's certainly encouraging to the organization and its fans that Johnson is returning from his off-season groin surgery so quickly. While he was never expected to miss any playing time, head coach Chan Gailey often said that Johnson's most likely return date would be training camp. Getting him out on the field for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is undoubtedly beneficial, however, it may be more interesting to see him against rookie CB Stephon Gilmore, as well as returning defensive backs like Aaron Williams, Leodis McKelvin, and Terrence McGee.

Although this is a non-contact mini-camp, pass rush will be a major focal point for the Bills as the season approaches. It will be very interesting to see how new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt manages his plethora of pass rushers. Mario Williams figures to be a three-down player. Mark Anderson and Shawne Merriman will probably take the field in pass rushing situations, with guys like Chris Kelsay and Alex Carrington in to help against the run. All the while, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus will man the middle of the defensive line. Games aren't played on paper, but at a glance, this seems to have all the makings of a formidable front four.

Lastly, as Walker highlights, is the backup quarterback position. Fitzpatrick is the sure-fire starter and Brad Smith seems to be locked in at number three, as awkward as that may sound. The primary battle is between the incumbent Tyler Thigpen and newcomer Vince Young. Thigpen may have somewhat of advantage having played for coach Gailey not only last season, but in the past with Kansas City. Young was brought in as a free agent and will compete for the backup quarterback position. Despite not playing for the Bills last season, many (including myself) believe he has the inside track for the job because of his athleticism and playing experience across the league.

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Bills Try Their Hand at Baseball

Buffalo Bills Ryan Fitzpatrick, Nick Barnett, Rian Lindell, and Brian Moorman, pictured left with former Major League Baseball player Tom Burnanski, each took to Rochester today to participate in batting practice prior to tonight's Rochester Red Wings Triple-A baseball game.

Often times this is a competition between the players to see who can hit the most home runs. For those that thought Barnett might run away with it, you may want to guess again. The Bills middle linebacker actually didn't hit ANY home runs. Fitzpatrick and Lindell hit three apiece. Be sure to check out the Bills' Twitter page for pictures, videos, reactions, etc.

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