This article has been submitted by Don Allan.
After a promising draft session and numerous playoff predictions from the media, the last few weeks for Bills fans have been frustrating. For those of you who are casual fans, I will quickly fill you in on the bad so that we can turn our attention to the good.
Respected NBC journalist Tim Russert passed away this month, and left all in Buffalo deeply saddened. He was an avid Bills fan and ‘national cheerleader’ of the greatest team in history. Thankfully, we still have Chris Berman to praise our beloved Buffalo Bills. 
Additionally, running back sensation Marshawn Lynch was apparently involved in a hit-and-run in a Buffalo bar district. His Porche SUV struck a woman crossing the street, and whoever was driving decided it would be best to book from the scene. I am assuming that he or the person driving was intoxicated and that is why they refused to stop and help the woman. From what I gathered, she was fine, but the police are looking to come down on Lynch hard. An investigation into the incident will likely result in a devastating suspension for Lynch should he be unable to prove his absence from the driver’s seat. I am praying that one of his boys takes one for the team and pleads guilty on his behalf. Lynch will be the biggest factor in Buffalo’s success next season (much as it was this season past), and everyone should be keeping their fingers crossed for a happy ending to this ridiculous instance of idiocy on Lynch’s behalf.
Pro Bowl offensive lineman Jason Peters was absent from mandatory mini-camp this past week and will face a fine of $8000. It has been speculated that he did this to protest his lower than usual salary for a player of his calibre. He makes just over 3-million, which I personally think is too low, but in no way do I support his methods of negotiation. Edwards was quoted as saying that he believes Peters to be the best player in the NFL, which I’m sure most would find questionable, but I wanted to mention this so that you might get an understanding of Peter’s importance to a Bills line that previously was notoriously troubled.
Despite the previous, I choose to retain an optimistic outlook for the upcoming season. I, along with most others, was impressed with the Bills drafting this spring. Most gave it a B or B+ rating which is certainly respectable. However, while everyone was yelling for a receiver or corner, I was hoping that the Bills would attempt to find a decent tight end. Instead they signed a few wash-ups and no-namers in the free agent market. I am personally a huge fan of the tight end option in any offence, but I now see why the Bills may have focussed their attention elsewhere. I speculate that they did not wish to disrupt the line in its path towards cohesion, they are more concerned with the run game, and they will develop Lynch as an inside passing threat paired with Parrish/Reed. Robert Royal is somewhat of a plug for the Bills, and I hope for the team’s sake that his hands are used for blocking rather than catching this season if he has not improved in training camp.
Trent Edwards has apparently been working hard and is developing quickly. Since his 40+ yard opening drive against the Patriots early last season (which resulted in a touchdown), I have had high hopes for the young quarterback from Stanford. I am not an overly experienced NFL spectator, but what I have seen from Edwards to this point is impressive. For a rookie to be thrown into the mix unexpectedly and pull off 7 wins on a team that was slated to be one of the worst in the league is nothing to frown upon. He has a solid arm, is patient and smart. I am willing to bet he develops into a well-rounded high-end quarterback, and have little reason to believe otherwise. For now though, the Bills will need to focus on getting Edwards to connect with rookie James Hardy from Indiana and Bills hallmark receiver Lee Evans, who was an avid Losman supporter. The Losman-Evans combination was the one respectable facet of Losman’s career to this point.
I have always been impressed with the underappreciated Bills receiving corps, which has maintained its integrity going into this season. Unfortunately, Losman could never get them the ball – hopefully Edwards can. Losman will still be kicking around this season, but has officially lost the starting job. His agent requested a trade following the team’s 7-9 finish but he was never moved. My guess is that the Bills are hanging on to him in case Edwards gets injured or flops. My confidence in Edwards (discussed previously) makes me believe Losman won’t be seeing the field ever again in Buffalo even though he will remain with the team. Despite my hatred for the man, I am somewhat content to keep him around. Losman is extremely athletic, knows the players, and is experienced with the Bills formula. I won’t miss his frantic play, poor decision making abilities and lack of patience.
Despite Edward’s progress, passing will not be the focus of the offense this year in Buffalo. Marshawn Lynch (assuming he isn’t incarcerated) will be the go-to-guy for the Bills in 2008. His hard working, yards after contact, gritty grind-it-out style will be depended on for 200+ yards per game in the coming season. His power, full back style and steady hands makes him a threat no matter where he is on the field. Look for Buffalo’s new offensive coordinator to have Lynch doing everything for the offense – including passing! 
Defensively, the Bills are looking to make some significant improvements. Buffalo’s young and speedy secondary has now had the chance to gain some experience and will likely be more effective against the pass than they were this past year. Posluszny is back and recovered from his broken arm, and will shine at middle linebacker as he was slated to last season. Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Stroud bring necessary leadership, experience and star power to the Bills young defense.
As with most recent seasons, look for McGee, Parrish, Lindell and Moorman to light up one of the league’s best special teams rosters.
This season we will end the 8-year playoff drought by landing one of the AFC wildcard slots. It would not be too far fetched to argue for the Bills pulling off 9 wins this season. Because I love them so much, I will stick to my initial prediction of 10-6.
Go Bills!
This article has been submitted by Don Allan.
I will almost definitely cry if JP doesn’t start on opening day. That doesn’t make me any less of a man, does it?
Corrections noted: 200+ yards total offence & 8-8 might be a more realistic prediction to informed football fans. However, I am Bills-blind and will stick with my own arrogant 10-6 prediction.
I am interested to hear why anyone would want Losman to start aside from his (ok) success in long yard completions. He’s had three years to make something of himself and has failed to do so.
Because JP Losman is the next Rex Grossman.
I think you have to start Edwards, but I am not sure he will have much more success than Losman. His numbers las year were 7 TD’s and 8 INTs while Losman for 1630 yards in 10 games while Losman threw 4 TD’s and 6 TD’s for 1204 yards in 8 games but had a QB % almost 7 percentage points better. Their numbers are very similar with Losman actually have a slight advantadge in the fact he rushed for 110 yards to Edwards’ 49 as well. What the Bills offence needs is tight end who the QB’s can look to when they have no options up the field. The problem with Losman is that he has had to force the ball into coverage at times (and no I am not trying to defend all of his terrible plays because there are a lot) becuase he has no legit third or fourth options. With Evans, Parrish, Reid and Price etc. at reciever the past few years, all Buffalo QBs have had is WR’s who can stretch the field but opposing teams have simply played their safties and corners deep and picked off passes easily. Lynch can help this season as a pass catcher out the backfield and Rookie James Hardy will help in the red zone but a veteran tight end will be the key to the Bill’s offence improving regardless of who is under centre.