1. Can Marshawn Lynch and/or Anthony Thomas replace Willis McGahee in the Buffalo backfield?
While McGahee is overrated as a feature back, he played a huge part in the maturation process of J.P. Losman. Willis could grind out the yards and was an experienced runner. Thomas is past his short-lived prime and is nothing more then a stopgap. Lynch has big time potential, but Buffalo�s main offensive players (Losman, Lee Evans, Jason Peters) are ready to break out, not wait for a young back to develop.
2. Will the Bills defense be able to plug the gaping holes opened during the offseason?
Suiting up in new uniforms next season will be former Bills starters Nate Clements, London Fletcher-Baker, and Takeo Spikes. Those three players arguably made up the heart of the Buffalo defense. Clements is heralded as top flight cornerback and will probably never be totally replaced. Second year man Ashton Youboty has the same alma mater as Clements and the team hopes he can produce half as well. Angelo Crowell has been thrust into the spotlight at linebacker, but the other two spots are being fought for by rookie Paul Posluszny , Keith Ellison, and Mario Haggan. None of those three have the presence of Spikes or Fletcher-Baker.
3. Will someone step up and help out Lee Evans?
Lee Evans has developed into a top wide receiver and has become Losman�s favorite target. The second leading receiver was Peerless Price with 49 catches for a whopping 402 yards. If they team hopes to utilize Evans to his full ability, someone must come through and prove to be a viable number two option in the passing game. The leading candidate is small yet slipper Roscoe Parrish. While he will never be a number one target, he possess the breakaway speed and after the catch ability to change defensive schemes. The team is also holding out hope former third round pick Kevin Everett can be the seam stretcher they thought they acquired in 2005. Injuries have badly de-railed him. Starting tight end Robert Royal has shown hints of being a pass catcher to be reckoned with.
4. Can this offensive line spark something special?
Buffalo added three new offensive lineman during free agency, including two starters. Former Redskin guard Derrick Dockery received a record setting contract for a guard and must be a dominant lineman to validate that deal. He has the physical tools to come through however. Langston Walker is a monster from Oakland who has not developed into a great football player. The team hopes he can anchor the right side of the line. The key to this line is budding star Jason Peters, a former Arkansas tight end. Peters is the blindside protector for Losman or whoever else lines up at quarterback for the Bills.
5. Which direction is J.P. Losman headed?
Buffalo paid a steep price for Losman in the 2004 draft. The team is banking on J.P. breaking out to be a premier passer in the NFL. He is clearly not the perfectionist Peyton Manning is nor as fundamentally sound as Tom Brady. What Losman has that is rare is a drive and machismo seen only in the elite quarterbacks in the league. Clearly the team has taken a step back on the offensive side of the ball, and that will show Losman�s true colors. Will he let the lack of weapons cause him to fade away into mediocrity? Or will the gunslinger holster his gun and carry his team on his back and take charge of this wayward franchise?
