Buffalo Bills 2008 Season Review

As the NFL finds itself in the middle of another exciting, unpredictable postseason, Buffalo Bills fans, for the ninth season in a row, find themselves feeling a little left out. A season that began with a 5-1 record seemed to offer great promise, only to find the Bills finishing at 7-9. So what was the Bills' downfall? What do Bills fans have to look forward to next season? Let's break it down position by position:

Quarterback: What happened: Trent Edwards remains as big a question mark as he did coming into the season. Is he the quarterback who led the Bills to comeback victories against the Seahawks, Jaguars and Rams, or he is the quarterback who threw seven interceptions in a 3-week span that included losses to the Jets, Patriots and Browns? It looks like we'll have to wait another season before we can find a definitive answer . On the horizon: With the much-anticipated departure of J.P. Losman, the Bills need to bring in a quarterback (rookie or veteran) to step up and serve not only as a back-up to Trent Edwards, but possibly as someone who can compete with him for a starting job. It's a pity the Bills chose to throw Losman into two games near the end of the season when they could have spent their time evaluating young Gibran Hamdan at quarterback.

Running Back: What happened: The two-headed monster of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch excelled in the Bills offense, combining for 84 receptions and 1600 rushing yards. While Lynch sat out the last game of the season injured, Bills fans were treated to a 136 yard rushing performance from Fred Jackson. It's scary (and a little depressing) to think about how these two would perform if only they had a sound passing game and a decent offensive line to run behind. On the horizon: Up and up for these youngsters. The only major concern is the status of Fred Jackson. The Bills should try to tie up Jackson for the long-term and avoid a possible Michael Turner situation in Buffalo.

Wide Receiver: What happened: Not too much, but most Bills fan are used to that. Josh Reed stepped up as a very effective third down receiver when healthy, but he still isn't the quality #2 receiver that Trent Edwards needs. Lee Evans was doubled for most of the year, and the limitations of the passing game were apparent looking at his numbers. Roscoe Parrish, while excelling in special teams, has yet to warrant the 2^nd round pick used on him as a receiver. It might be early yet, but I think James Hardy might be a bust right out of the box. At the very least, the second round pick the Bills used to get him was a bit too much. On the horizon: With Evans signed on for the future, it's time for the Bills to get serious and get a second receiver. There hasn't a been a good 1-2 punch at this position since Eric Moulds left after the 2005 season. That's a long time without a productive second receiver.

Tight End: What happened: The Bills tried to reach out to the Kansas City Chiefs to trade for Tony Gonzalez, but who can blame the future Hall of Famer for not wanting to go to Buffalo? The Bills had a good showing from young tight ends Derek Schouman and Derek Fine (25 receptions combined), but Bills fans had to sit through another underwhelming season from Robert Royal. On the horizon: The Bills need to stop worrying about having a tight end who can block and get themselves a receiving tight end who can function as a safety valve to Trent Edwards. Every young quarterback can use one, and the Bills have been avoiding them for years. And it's time for Robert Royal to pack up and get the heck out of dodge.

Offensive Line: What happened: Jason Peters held out, and the lack of training camp and pre-season football effected the rest of his season. He might have made the Pro Bowl, but 13.5 sacks allowed in 14 games are not Pro Bowl numbers. And it's time for the team to admit they made a mistake on Derrick Dockery. He should be let go or traded, and whomever was responsible for signing him for such an unbelievable salary should be fired. On the horizon: All signs point to continued poor play. Dick Jauron is partly responsible for the lack of toughness on the line, as they practice without pads more than most teams. This is okay for a veteran line, but a young line needs to practice in pads in order to get tough. The Bills retaining Dick Jauron should continue to perpetuate this problem. Jason Peters looks likely to hold out again, except this time he doesn't deserve a raise. Much to my dismay, Dockery will probably remain on the team since Ralph Wilson isn't one to eat salaries (or, I'm guessing, most food that isn't liquefied. Yes, I had to say it).

Defensive Line: What happened: Not a lot. Aaron Schobel was done for the season after Week 5, which means that instead of not getting sacks while he was playing, he was not getting sacks while injured. Schobel represents another terrible Bills contract. Marcus Stroud had his moments, but doesn't have the supporting cast to be the terror he once was. Ryan Denney and Chris Kelsay continue to be overpaid and underproductive. On the horizon: A new left end would be nice, but that is probably just a pipe dream. Schobel will be on the team and starting, and the same can be said for Stroud and the improving Kyle Williams. That leaves the only place for improvement on the left side of the line, and I don't think this team will give up on players as overpaid as Kelsay and Denney. Look forward to another season with no pass rush.

Linebackers: What happened: Angelo Crowell decided that he needed surgery right before opening day, angering the Bills' brass to the point where they put him on IR, effectively ending his Buffalo Bills career. Kawika Mitchell was a great improvement for the linebacking corp, yet he seemed to disappear from time to time. If Paul Posluszny wasn't white and Polish, the Bills fan base wouldn't be so patient with him. The linebackers were constantly out of position and big, game-changing plays were a rarity at best. Posluszny gets the benefit of the doubt because it was his first full season, but the Bills will need more from him in '09. On the horizon: Someone needs to fill the gap left by Crowell, and no one in-house has the talent to do it. A big free agent or a high draft pick could shore up a group that has showed signs of greatness but disappears too often for comfort.

Defensive Backs: What happened: Can someone please tell me if Jabari Greer is now the best cornerback on the roster? I think he just might be. Greer appeared to be Terrence McGee's equal if not superior, until his Week 11 injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year. Terrence McGee had another decent, but not spectacular, season. Leodis McKelvin appears to be a big playmaker in the making. Donte Whitner, Bryan Scott and Ko Simpson are, together, a decent, reasonably young backfield that has a lot of promise for the future. The problems in the defensive backfield come from the coaching. For years now, Bills defensive backs don't play physical enough. They don't bump at the line, allowing receivers the short, quick routes that have been killing Buffalo defensive backs season after season. No matter who the personnel is, this seems to be a repetitive problem. Maybe it's time for Defensive Backs Coach George Catavolos to go. On the horizon: Hopefully we'll see this young group improve. Starting anew at full health should be helpful. However, if the defensive line continues to be ineffective, it doesn't matter how well they play; they are going to get burned.

Special Teams: What happened: Roscoe Parris and Leodis McKelvin led a special teams unit that was easily the most consistent unit on the team. Brian Moorman, while not playing up to the high standards he has set in previous seasons, had another solid year. Rian Lindell continues to be a kicker who can make the easy kicks and miss the pressure ones. He's not a terrible kicker, but looking at players like Rob Bironas, it makes one wonder if a better kicker isn't out there somewhere. Super Bowl XXV should remind everyone of the importance of a good, steady kicker. On the horizon: More of the same. No matter what happens to the rest of the team next season, it can be expected the Bills' special teams will continue to shine.

Coaching: What happened: I can tell you what did NOT happen. Solid, logical playcalling. The new "inventive" offense promised by new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert. Clock management. Managing time-outs. Dick Jauron has been a head coach for eight seasons. He has had a winning record ONCE. That is about all you need to know. It is a farce that he still leads this team. On the horizon: Another 7-9 season, with this kind of leadership.

Front Office: What happened: Who knows? General Manager by committee is proving to be a bad idea. Who makes the decisions? Russ Brandon? Tom Modrak? Jim Overdorf? (Gulp!) Ralph Wilson?!?! This team needs a football guy to make a plan and lead the organization out of this dark age. On the horizon: Ralph Wilson will continue running this franchise into the ground and there is NOTHING that the fans can do, aside from not showing up altogether.

Overall: What happened: A weak team beat up on powder-puffs the first six weeks of the season and then got pummeled when forced to play the kinds of teams that actually win games. A lack of depth hurt when key players got injured. Poor clock and game management hurt in big situations. Improvement doesn't seem imminent as it has in recent years. On the horizon: Their coaching is weak, their leadership is absent, and in the trenches, where talent and toughness is the key to any winning team, both of those assets appear to have gone missing. Another "home" game in Toronto. Another 7-9 season and many upset Bills fans.