Tough Assignment on the Road

I think the Bills-Jaguars matchup this Sunday is the best game on the NFL schedule this week. I know the Patriots-Jets game will get lots of attention, but we will learn a great deal about the Bills this week, and whether they will truly contend for a playoff spot.
Watching practice today, I came away impressed with the upbeat, high energy approach the Bills have adopted. Unlike many Friday practices, the team seemed focused and Buffalo defenders seemed unusually physical for a workout against teammates. That's a good sign against a Jacksonville team that will undoubtedly come out hitting.
The Jaguars seem a bit lost right now. Their offensive line has been decimated by injury, and David Garrard is missing some key targets in the receiving corps. The Jacksonville defense that was flying around hitting everything in sight at the end of last season, enroute to a playoff win over the Steelers, was nowhere in evidence last week in Tennessee.
I know it's hard to beat a team in their home opener. And I know the Jaguars are a prideful group coming off an 11-win season. But I think the Bills get some carry-over effect from their spectacular win over Seattle last Sunday. On defense and special teams, I cannot imagine there's any team in the NFL that got off to a better start.
So look for the Bills to slug it out with the Jaguars, and come out with a 16-10 win.

Let us know what you think--is this the Bills big early season statement game?

Shaun Rogers Almost A Bill?

As good as the Bills defense looks with Marcus Stroud, a recent Sports Illustrated article hints that he wasn't the Bills first choice.

In the most recent issue of SI, Peter King writes about the Cleveland Browns offseason. He chronicles the dealings behind their trade for DT Shaun Rogers. The Browns gave 3rd and 5th round picks to Detroit to acquire the 350 pound run stuffer from the Lions. As the deal was going down, King writes that the Lions had other offers from the Bengals...and the Bills.

He writes about Lions GM Matt Millen telling the Browns that he had an offer from the Bills for the same draft picks. King's article says this was on February 29th. That's the day before the Bills made the deal for Stroud, and the same day that Stroud was in Buffalo visiting the team. Buffalo's interest makes sense. Dick Jauron was Detroit's defensive coordinator in 2004-2005, when Rogers made the Pro Bowl. Its good business that the Bills would have other options. But you wonder who was the first choice, Stroud or Rogers? Either way, in Stroud, the Bills look like they made the right choice.

Jaguars O-Line Banged Up

Marcus Stroud can't wait for Sunday's game in Jacksonville, as he goes against the team that traded him away. But news this week gives Marcus even more reasons to be excited. The Jaguars will play the Bills without three starting offensive lineman. Starting left guard Vince Manuwai (pictured) is out for the season after knee surgery. Starting right guard Maurice Wiliams is out for this game, and much longer, with a torn bicep injury. Starting center Brad Meester has been out since training camp. Its good news for Stroud, Kyle Williams and Spencer Johnson...the middle of the Bills defensive line that played so well against Seattle.

The biggest effect could be on the Jacksonville running game, which is usually one of the NFL's best. Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were held to just 31 yards on 14 carries in the season opener against Tennessee. So, for the second straight week, the Bills will face an imjury-depleted opponent. It worked against Seattle. Do you think it will work against Jacksonville?