Stability used to be the staple in Buffalo, where the Bills were coached by
the same coach for 11 seasons (Marv Levy) and had just two general managers
in 15 years (Bill Polian and John Butler).
Stability in Buffalo, however, has been replaced with newcomers and a litany
of question marks. There is a new general manager (Tom Donahoe), a new head
coach (Gregg Williams) and a newly-settled-upon quarterback (Rob Johnson).
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| Rob Johnson won't have to look over his shoulder at Douf Flutie this year. |
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Location: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, N.Y.
Rookies report: July 25
Veterans report: July 28
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 12: St. Louis
Aug. 18: Philadelphia
Aug. 25: at Cincinnati
Aug. 30: at Pittsburgh
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Where will this bring the Bills?
This is one of the most uncertain predictions in the AFC East. Donahoe is a
proven talent evaluator. Williams, the former defensive coordinator with the
Titans, seems ready to be a success at the next level. But Johnson is the
biggest wildcard considering the fact that he's not a proven winner and he's
yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season.
Man in the spotlight
It has to be Johnson, who won the ego battle with Doug
Flutie, who was left off the team and was signed by San Diego. The prediction
here is that Flutie wins more games with the Chargers than Johnson does with
the Bills.
Johnson, who looks to have the physical ability to be a winning quarterback,
has to prove he can avoid the rush. Last year, Flutie threw 231 passes and
was sacked only 10 times while Johnson was sacked 49 times on 306 pass
attempts.
Key position battle
With defensive end and sack leader Marcellus Wiley
having signed with the Chargers as a free agent, Erik Flowers, the Bills' No.
1 draft pick in 2000, will compete with Aaron Schobel, the team's
second-round pick this past April. Wiley's 10 sacks and pass rush skills are
a big hole to fill.
Biggest adjustment
Life without Doug Flutie as the team's safety net.
Granted, Flutie and Johnson could not coexist -- something that was a travesty
all along -- but whenever Johnson failed or was hurt Flutie was always there
to pick it up. And Flutie was a better winning quarterback than Johnson was.
Now, if Johnson gets himself hurt, the team is left with Aex Van Pelt, not a
winning option.
Rookie report
The Bills hope they drafted a starting cornerback in Ohio
State's Nate Clements. They, too, hope Schobel, out of TCU, develops into a
pass rusher and possibly even a starter. And, with their running game in flux
for the last couple years, they hope third-round pick Travis Henry, a back
out of Tennessee, becomes a weapon as a ball carrier. Some in the Bills'
front office believe they got late-round value in Ohio State receiver Reggie
Germany.
Buffalo's complete offseason moves
