The Buffalo Bills’ mid-season report card this year should be a mirror image of the grades they got the last two seasons, as they have compiled a 3-5 record so far, putting them on a pace to match the dismal 6-10 finishes of 2011 and 2012 under Chan Gailey. So why does it feel so different in 2013? Mainly because outside of the record, not much about the entire organization is the same. Owner Ralph Wilson has turned the operation of the club over to Russ Brandon, who took the reins and made major changes, promoting Doug Whaley to general manager and hiring Doug Marrone as head coach. The mid-season report card follows:
Front Office / Coaching
It’s unclear who is responsible for the 2013 draft, Whaley or Buddy Nix, who stepped aside shortly afterward. Whoever it was, they appear to have added some terrific building blocks for the future on both sides of the ball. To me, the jury is still out on Marrone, who came here after guiding Syracuse University’s program from the depths to respectability. He’s a young, energetic coach and assembled what looks like the best staff of assistants the Bills have had in years. His coordinators, Nathaniel Hackett on offense and Mike Pettine on defense, are bringing some creativity to their units so far. Pettine, especially, is highly respected around the league, having worked with a couple of the NFL’s top-rated defenses in Baltimore and with the Jets. One place where Marrone hasn’t distanced himself much from Gailey is his failure to correct the team’s penchant for foolish penalties in clutch situations.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the team’s roster at the half-way point:
Quarterback
The Bills wiped the slate completely clean here – unloading all three QBs from 2012 and starting from scratch. The drafting of EJ Manuel as the quarterback of the future looks like a good move so far, although injuries have made it hard to evaluate him completely. Still, he has looked good, and certainly not intimidated at all, when he’s played. He hasn’t been spectacular, which is not uncommon for a rookie forced into a starting role, but also has made very few mistakes, which IS uncommon for a rookie. The backup QB spot is still a work in progress. The signing of veteran Kevin Kolb looks like a wash, with concussion issues probably signaling the end for him. Thad Lewis looks like the best prospect so far to keep the job, with undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel maybe holding the third spot as a developmental project. It’ll be interesting to see if recently signed Matt Flynn gets a look, or if he only stays around until Manuel gets healthy.
Running Back
This is one spot on the roster that’s remained pretty stable the last couple of seasons, with C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson and Tashard Choice all making major contributions to what is a top-notch rushing attack. The Bills did make a change at fullback, replacing Corey McIntyre with another undrafted rookie, Frank Summers. He is a competent blocker and receiver, and like McIntyre, contributes on special teams. One note – I’ve suggested at various times that the Bills would be wise to trade Jackson, whose play was declining and who was bothered by nagging injuries. It’s a good thing I’m not the Bills’ GM, because they would be hurting big time this year without Jackson, who has re-emerged as an important veteran leader for the team.
Receivers
The Bills’ receiving corps has undergone a makeover also. Two holdovers from previous seasons, Stevie Johnson and tight end Scott Chandler, continue to be go-to targets for the quarterbacks. Johnson in particular has grown into a major leader on the team. Marquis Goodwin has shown flashes of becoming a top downfield threat, combining his track meet speed with great football skills. He’s battled nagging injuries, however, which has limited his production. Robert Woods and second year man T.J. Graham have both made plays at points this season, but have seemingly developed chemistry with different QBs. Woods has been a top target of EJ Manuel when he’s been the starter, while Graham has been a favorite target of Thad Lewis when he’s played. Marcus Easley struggled to stick on the final roster, and has pretty much only contributed as a gunner on special teams. Veteran Lee Smith has been Chandler’s primary backup at tight end, used mostly as a blocker. Chris Gragg, a seventh round draft pick, is on the roster but has yet to make an impact. The only other receiver on the roster is Chris Hogan, who has made a few appearances but not done much.
Offensive Line
The Bills’ offensive line has been relatively stable the last couple of years. Eric Wood is solid at center, along with guard Kraig Urbik and right tackle Eric Pears. Second year man Cordy Glenn has settled in nicely at left tackle. The other guard spot has been a problem. The Bills definitely miss the departed Andy Levitre there. Colin Brown began the season as the starter, but has since been cut, with Doug Legursky, a former Steeler, taking over. Buffalo finds themselves in the same position they’ve been in for the last couple of years – the line play is good, but the depth is questionable. They’ve been lucky to escape any major injuries to the starters, which would prove to be disastrous. The ever-changing list of backups, at the halfway point, includes Thomas Welch, Antone McLain and Mark Asper, a player they cut last season who was brought back for a second chance. The pickings are pretty slim.
Defensive Line
Even with the season-ending injury early in the year to Alex Carrington, this unit is a strength of the team and one of the top lines in the NFL. Kyle Williams has been his usual consistent self at one tackle spot, while Mario Williams is having a career year at end, leading the team in sacks, with a lot of those sacks coming at crunch time in games when they were really needed. Marcell Dareus, at the other tackle spot, is finally playing to the level expected of him as a high draft pick. Alan Branch, a veteran free agent signee, has stepped into Carrington’s spot and been solid. The Carrington injury did cut into the depth along the D-line, as the only other players listed on the roster behind the starters are Corbin Bryant, who has played regularly and gotten the job done, Stefan Charles, who was just signed this week from Tennessee’s practice squad, and Jerry Hughes, who’s listed as a defensive lineman but is more of a pass rushing “edge” linebacker.
Linebacker
The Bills seriously upgraded their linebacking corps in the off-season, with the additions of free agent signee Manny Lawson, who has done a terrific job starting on the outside, and draftee Kiko Alonso, who is the NFL’s defensive Rookie of The Year so far in 2013. Depending on whether they’re in a three or four man front, Arthur Moats and Nigel Bradham get significant playing time, along with Hughes, who usually plays in passing situations. Hughes was acquired from the Colts in the off-season for Kelvin Sheppard, and appears to be an upgrade from Sheppard. Among the backups, Jamaal Westerman has mostly seen special teams action, while Ty Powell has yet to see the field. He is one of the recent signees, as the team has been continually trying to improve its’ roster.
Defensive Backs
It’s hard to evaluate this part of the team, since two key members, Stephon Gilmore and Jairus Byrd, missed significant time early in the year due to a holdout and a hand injury. They are both just now rounding into shape, and neither has made a great impact so far. The expectation is that the secondary play should improve in the second half of the year as they get comfortable again. The Bills have a stable of what should be pretty good cornerbacks in Leodis McKelvin, Nickell Robey and Justin Rogers, but they have all been toasted by opposing receivers at different times this year. Aaron Williams, who was switched to safety in the off-season, has had to transition back to corner due to injuries, and has been one of the defense’s key players so far. As for the corners, they are usually pretty good in coverage, but could use some work on their ball awareness skills. They always seem to be pretty close in coverage with opposing receivers, but never are aware or able to make plays when the ball arrives. While Byrd was out, Da’Norris Searcy saw a lot of action at safety, and made some key plays also, as has veteran Jim Leonhard. Rookie draft picks Duke Williams and Jonathan Meeks are both works in progress, while Brandon Smith is another in-season signee who is getting a look in the Bills’ effort to get better.
Special Teams
The Bills have a pair of great return men in McKelvin, who returns punts, and the rookie Goodwin, who handles kickoffs. Also. Leonhard filled in admirably on punt returns when McKelvin was hurt early on. Rookie draft pick Dustin Hopkins was supposed to claim the placekicking job, but a groin injury relegated him to the injured reserve list. Dan Carpenter has done a terrific job in his place, and may now have a claim on the position for the future also. The punt coverage team has had a lot of terrible moments in the first half of the year. It could be argued that they cost the team a couple of wins, but now that fan favorite Brian Moorman is back as the punter, that unit should improve in the second half of the year. Shawn Powell, who was cut after a couple of dreadful outings, never seemed to master the art of punting in different situations the way Moorman has.