By: Will Zhang
Following last season’s mediocre 8-8 campaign, the Bill’s went into the 2016 offseason with the hope of improving their team enough to snap their now 16 seasons long playoff drought. The glaring issue with the team after last year was an underperforming defense. After an impressive 2014 campaign where the defense held opponents to just 18 points a game, the defense in 2015, under new head coach Rex Ryan gave up over 22 a game. The switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense proved difficult for some veterans to thrive in. Rex Ryan made defense a point of emphasis going into the offseason drafting DE Shaq Lawson and LB Reggie Ragland, two defensive players, in the first and second round respectively. Along with the two rookies, the team added linebacker Zach Brown to an already talented defensive unit. These acquisitions will hopefully fill the gaps left by veterans DE Mario Williams and LB Nigel Bradham, who signed with other teams during free agency. The departure of Williams and Bradham will be missed, but not as much as you think on paper. Yes, Williams was an All-Pro defensive end, but his inability to fit in the 3-4 meant he was of little use to the team. All in all, Ryan was very happy with how the offseason played out, confidently touting that the Bills had, “won the offseason.”
If the Bills truly won the offseason as Ryan suggested, then by that same token, they lost the preseason. Training camp was plagued by injuries and suspensions to key players. Both rookies Lawson and Ragland were put on injured reserve with Ragland out for the year with a torn ACL suffered in practice. Along with these key injuries, three players faced suspensions due to substance abuse. The NFL handed down suspensions to Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, tackle Seantrel Henderson and running back Karlos Williams. Karlos Williams was cut from the team as a result of his suspension and after gaining 25 pounds in the offseason. Henderson missed the pivotal first four games and Dareus was sorely missed in the first game 13-7 loss to the Ravens.
Even though the Bills lost their first game, there is still hope for the squad. The offense lead by QB Tyrod Taylor has promise. The running back tandem of LeSean McCoy and Reggie Bush, one of the strongest backfields in the league, should be a difficult task for any defense to contain. 3rd year WR Sammy Watkins looks to continue the success he and Tyrod Taylor had last year, but someone else other than Watkins must step up in the receiving corps to aid the passing attack and flow of the offense. The offensive line finds veteran linemen Richie Incognito, Eric Wood and Cordy Glenn returning for another season. The leadership and experience they bring to the team make it one of the better lines in the league.
On the defensive side of the ball, the addition of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will hopefully improve the Bills 3-4 defense that struggled to find success last year. The front seven need to find a way to pressure the quarterback. Last season the Bills only recorded 21 sacks, an extremely disappointing number for such a talented roster. The secondary should be able to pick up where they left off last year after finishing with an impressive 17 interceptions. With shutdown cornerbacks, Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, along with safety Corey Graham, it’s reasonable to expect the secondary to contain any team’s passing game.
The Bills are a roster that has impressive talent and potential. They must find chemistry and some swagger if they wish to break their playoff drought. They have to start off the season hot if they want a shot this season. Games against the Jets and the Tom Brady-less Patriots in week two and week four respectively, are must win games due to the difficulty of the Bills’ schedule.
With games against NFC powerhouses the Cardinals and Seahawks, they don’t have an easy path to the playoffs. I have hope for this team, but realistically it’s hard to imagine this being a successful season. They still feel one or two years away from breaking into the playoffs. They need one more receiver to compliment Watkins and their first and second round picks to return.
I expect the Bills will go 7-9 this season and sadly, will miss the playoffs for the 17th straight year.
