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Mon., June 24
How much better will Drew Bledsoe make the Bills? We'll employ the words usually uttered by Bills general manager Tom Donahoe -- "We're getting better" -- to describe the team's condition in 2002. Certainly much of the improvement, and a lot of the offseason buzz
surrounding this team, was created by the trade for Bledsoe. But we aren't ready to anoint the Bills a playoff team yet, because this remains a very young squad.
Let's not forget Bledsoe is coming off a season in which he played just two games. How much better he makes the Bills might be a
function of how well a young and still unsettled offensive line performs this season. No doubt Buffalo's wide receivers will benefit from the presence of Bledsoe. But most important is that Bledsoe, who became a great team leader his last few seasons in New England, will galvanize the Bills in the locker room. The divisiveness that existed in the past, and the lack of confidence in Rob Johnson that stymied the team, should be exorcised. We see the Bills as still a year away, but improving to about 8-8.
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By all accounts the Bills had one of the most successful offseasons of any team in the NFL. Burdened by salary-cap problems when he took over as president and general manager, Tom Donahoe used the offseason to turn the Bills into a team that could be one of the biggest surprises this season.
The most important move was landing quarterback Drew Bledsoe. For the first time since Jim Kelly stood behind center, the Bills have a true franchise quarterback they can rely on every week.
After spending a frustrating offseason trying to pry Bledsoe away from the Patriots, Donahoe was finally able to strike a deal on the second day of the draft. New England eased off its demands of a 2002 draft pick, settling on Buffalo's first-round pick next year. Buffalo might have wanted to make the pick conditional on Bledsoe's performance, but in the end it was a no-brainer for the Bills. In addition to his physical skills, Bledsoe will add veteran leadership. That's something the Bills have lacked from the quarterback position since Kelly led them to Super Bowls.
The Bills also believe they improved their offensive line by signing tackle Trey Teague (Broncos) as a free agent. Teague should be an upgrade over John Fina (released), who missed time in each of the past two seasons due to injuries.
On the defensive side, the Bills brought in linebackers London Fletcher and Eddie Robinson and strong safety Billy Jenkins. Fletcher replaces Sam Cowart, who signed with the Jets, at middle linebacker. While Fletcher might not have the natural ability of Cowart, he's an upgrade based simply on health. While Cowart has missed 19 games over the past two seasons (15 last year with an Achilles' tendon injury), Fletcher has missed only one game in his four-year NFL career.
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BILLS AT A GLANCE
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Eric Moulds caught
67 passes last season. |
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2001 record: 3-13
Team rank: Defense (21st); offense (13th)
Bills team news |
Another important move by the Bills was holding on to Tom Modrak. Promoted from director of football operations to assistant general manager, Modrak, who helped build the Eagles into an NFC power, is regarded as one of the best talent evaluators in the NFL. Together, Modrak and Donahoe form one of the NFL's better talent evaluating duos.
For a complete list of all the players Buffalo has signed and lost so far this offseason, click here.
How they drafted
Reports on draft day indicated the Bills would have selected quarterback Joey Harrington at No. 4 if he was available. However, the Lions decided that they couldn't pass on the former Oregon star. Detroit's decision ultimately led to the Bills pulling the trigger on the Bledsoe trade. Instead of Harrington, the Bills selected mammoth offensive tackle Mike Williams from Texas; by all accounts they are extremely pleased that they did. Williams has tremendous strength and moves well for someone of his size (6-foot-5, 370 pounds). He's penciled in as the starting right tackle. In the second round Buffalo landed wide receiver Josh Reed, considered a first-rounder by many experts, and defensive end Ryan Denney. Both should see considerable action this year. Third-round pick Coy Wire has also been impressive while being converted from linebacker to strong safety.
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Fantasy Focus
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Buffalo's offensive line will be more physical with rookie right tackle Mike Williams and left tackle Trey Teague adding strength. The Bills want to establish a sound running attack, and Travis Henry is the most talented back on the roster. A strong inside runner, Henry is worth gambling on a mid-round pick. As for the passing attack, Drew Bledsoe brings credibility, but much depends on whether the offensive line can improve its pass blocking. If Bledsoe has time to drop back five to seven steps, expect Eric Moulds' stats to jump. After failing to crack 1,000 yards last season, Moulds will approach his 1998 career high of 1,368 yards and nine touchdowns.
-- Roger Rotter, Fantasy editor
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For a complete list of the Bills' draft picks, click here.
Unfinished business
While Travis Henry is the starter for now, it's still unclear how the starting running back job will shake out. The offseason signing of Richard Huntley has clouded the situation. It's likley Huntley's signing has made third-year back Shawn Bryson expendable. Huntley could challenge Henry for the starting spot. In his first extended time as Carolina's featured back last season, Huntley ran for 665 yards on 166 carries. Henry was equally impressive in his rookie season with the Bills (729 yards on 213 carries), but the job won't be handed to him in training camp.
Outlook for 2002
Talking playoffs for a team that won just three games last season seems a little absurd. But based on their offseason, the Bills are close to being a playoff-caliber team. With Bledsoe in the fold and players such as wide receivers Eric Moulds and Peerless Price and Fletcher, the Bills are certainly a team on the rise. Going from the basement to the playoffs might be too tall an order. However, expecting eight wins is reasonable.
Peter Lawrence-Riddell is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.
