Week 2: Bills Try To Bounce Back To “Squish the Fish”
By Nick Flickinger
After a very close game against New England (a team that has had the
Bills number for the last couple of years) the Bills have more to look
forward to this season.
This week they head into Miami, where the Bills complete the toughest
first two games of any NFL team so far this year. The Bills love to
“squish the fish”, but Ralph Wilson’s warriors have a
big challenge at hand. Playing in Miami’s high heat during September
certainly does not work in Buffalo’s favor, and being on the road
has seemed to be a problem for most recent Bills teams.
The biggest question for the Bills this week will be whether the defense
can repeat their inspiring performance from last week’s heart
breaking loss. Sadly, the “D” won’t have the same
personnel as last week. Troy Vincent suffered a hamstring injury that
initially seemed like it would have kept him out for about four weeks, but
Head Coach Dick Jauron decided to put Vincent on the injured reserve,
ending his season. Takeo Spikes has missed practice all this week also
with a hamstring injury and very well might not play.
If Spikes does not play, the Bills would either let Mario Haggan take
Spikes’ place or move Angelo Crowell back to the strong side and let
Keith Ellison or Josh Stamer play the weak side. With the other three
linebackers all unproven, the Bills really need Takeo on the field. Also
Crowell, one of last year’s most pleasant surprises, made some
mistakes against the Patriots. Crowell was completely fooled on the
touchdown to RB Kevin Faulk, and he also lost track of TE Ben Watson on a
big play over the middle.
With a hurting line backing corps, the Bills need a big game out of the
“D” line. Miami has a weak middle of their offensive line,
including overweight, ineffective Bennie Anderson, who failed miserably on
the Bills line last year. Free agent signing Larry Tripplett and rookie
Kyle Williams need to have big games. Ronnie Brown is touted as a future
big time running back, but he’s still unproven. However the Bills
did let up 183 yards on the ground to the Pats last week. The run D really
needs to step up. Look for Fletcher, Schobel, and Tripplett to have big
games.
After losing Troy Vincent on the second drive of last weeks game, the
secondary still played an incredible game, holding Tom Brady to 11-23
passing with only 163 yards. Nate Clements didn’t seem to make a
tackle on a receiver all game, which is always a good sign for a
“cover” corner back. First round pick, Donte Whittner also got
his first NFL interception, which he would have scored on if it were not
for a “phantom” block in the back penalty.
Starting next to Whittner as the Free Safety in place for Vincent will be
4th round pick Ko Simpson. Simpson has impressed coaches all through
training camp and practice and played well last Sunday. With two rookie
safeties, there could be a few mistakes made over the middle but these two
definitely have the speed and athleticism to make up for them. Also with
Pro-Bowlers Nate Clements, Terrence McGee, and London Fletcher helping
them out, do not look for the secondary to miss a beat. Especially with
the performance of fading Daunte Culpepper last week.
The offense also needs to play like they did before the failed 4th down
conversion vs. the Patriots. After that play, the Bills did not pick up
another 1st down all game. J.P. Losman did look pretty impressive though.
Excluding the unfortunate, game-turning safety, Losman looked comfortable
in the pocket completing 15 of 23 passes to seven different receivers. He
improved in preseason, winning the job over veteran Kelly Holcomb and free
agent, Craig Nall. Since Losman has only won one regular season game in
his nine career starts, don’t look for him to carry the team, but he
could be a good producer, who can make a play or two when we need it. With
Miami’s starting corner back Travis Daniels doubtful and after
losing Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison in back to back years, look for the
Bills to challenge Miami’s secondary.
For Losman to be in position to be a winner, Willis McGahee has to return
to the form of his first year starting. Willis, along with the rest of the
offense, slowed down in the second half last week, finishing with only 70
rushing yards on 20 carries. It still seems like the offensive line
isn’t helping McGahee out as much as he might want, but he must be
dominant for the Bills to succeed this week. Miami’s Defense is
getting old and Willis has loved running in Miami in the past, so he could
have a big game.
No Bills receiver had a really big game last week. Josh Reed was the
leader with three catches for 40 yards. With all the speed the Bills have
in their receiving core with Lee Evans, Peerless Price, Roscoe Parrish,
and Andre Davis, it was surprising to see that the longest catch was only
for 20 yards last week. Lee Evans needs to establish himself as a true
number one receiver, so he should get more looks this week especially down
field. To open up the running game the Bills will need to stretch the
field, and they certainly have the receivers to do so.
After coming of a terrible offensive performance vs. the Steelers and
with an aging defense, Miami can’t over look the charging Buffalo
Bills this weekend. If Takeo plays most of the game the Bills have a great
shot at the upset. If not, the Bills will have a tough time, but you never
know which rookies could step up.
Finally, for all of you watching the game for fantasy points and parlays,
I like the Bills to cover the 7-point spread and over 37. The best starts
this week for your team are Willis McGahee, the Bills’ defense,
Ronnie Brown, and Randy McMichael.
E-mail feedback and comments to Nick at
sattt34 at aol.com
Back to Columns.
|
