The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Buffalo Bills 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Favorites for the final victory at the dawn of last season, the Bills quickly confirmed expectations, before gradually withering away, overwhelmed by injuries, repeated snowstorms and the drama barely avoided with the stoppage. Damar Hamlin’s heart. The story of a one year supposed to take them to the firmament, from which they finally emerged mentally and physically flushed.
This way of the cross of the last weeks of the season would almost suggest that the train of triumph has passed in Buffalo, but the workforce which will present itself at MetLife Stadium at the start of the season seems more likely to fight for the title than the one which was a favorite of bookmakers just a year ago. And even more than the one who ended the season on the kneecaps.
Last season: 13 wins, 3 losses, eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Kyle Allen (QB), Deonte Harty (WR), Connor McGovern (G), Trent Sherfield (WR), Damien Harris (RB), David Edwards (G), Taylor Rapp (S), Latavius Murray (RB) , Poona Ford (DT), Travin Howard (LB), Leonard Floyd (DE).
Resignatures: Jordan Poyer (S), Jordan Philipps (DT), Tyler Matakevich (LB), Sam Martin (P), Shaq Lawson (DE), AJ Klein (LB), Tyrel Dodson (LB), Dane Jackson (CB), VAdm Lewis (BC).
Draft: Dalton Kincaid (TE), O’Cyrus Torrence (G), Dorian Williams (LB), Justin Shorter (WR).
Notable departures: Rodger Saffold (G), Greg Van Roten (G), Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Justin Murray (OT), Case Keenum (QB), Duke Johnson (RB), Devin Singletary (RB), Jaquan Johnson (S ), Tommy Sweeney (TE), John Brown (WR), Isaiah McKenzie (WR), Jamison Crowder (WR), Cole Beasley (WR).
One could almost ignore the list of players above: the most notable arrivals to the Bills 2023 are those players who watched the end of the 2022 fiscal year from their couch. Or from the infirmary. Starting with Von Miller, star acquisition of the last offseason, whose return from his cruciate ligament rupture is scheduled for the first part of the season.
More imminent, that of Micah Hyde, captain, vocal and emotional leader of the team, injured in the neck in the second meeting of the season. His friend Jordan Poyer, with whom he formed the best pair of safeties in the league, will finally be 100% after dragging his pain and his multiple pains throughout the year. Tre’Davious White has returned from his serious injury during last season, but well below the level that made him one of the benchmarks for his position.
In a certainly invigorated, but not rejuvenating backfield, the addition of Taylor Rapp thus seems not only inspired, but necessary for the ambitions of the franchise. His ability to play close to the line of scrimmage will be crucial in the change in defensive philosophy that is beginning.
In attack, the arrivals of Connor McGovern and Damien Harris, combined with the selections of Dalton Kincaid and O’Cyrus Torrence in the draft, also indicate a desire for change: that of no longer weighing the entire functionality of the attack on the through play and the shoulders of Josh Allen.
Strong point(s): Josh Allen, a Top 5 quarterback
It took almost 600 words for the name of the Bills quarterback to be mentioned, and yet… There are not five human beings on earth better than him in this position. Injured to the internal lateral ligament of the elbow in Week 9, he subsequently did not live up to his status, with a number of inaccuracies in the short and intermediate game, and decision-making almost reminiscent of the Josh Allen rookie.
But here he is back in good health, happy in love, at the start of his best years as a football player and, above all, better surrounded than in the past. If the name of Dalton Kincaid figures well among the tight ends in the depth chart of the Bills, it is easy to confuse him with a receiver. Moreover, it is almost the role that will be assigned to him, as a safety valve to his quarterback in the center of the field. A slot receiver of 1.93 m instead of Cole Beasley. Hello the mismatches.
Although a bad blocker, he will be, by his size alone, more effective in the register than Beasley and Khalil Shakir were in 2022. Which brings us to the Bills’ small offensive revolution this season: power. Small only, because snippets could be seen last year: less RPO, more jumbo formation (6 offensive linemen) and play action. This year, the staff comes to support this shift.
Damien Harris is a traditional power back, much more so than was Devin Singletary, who should relish behind the breaches created by Mitch Morse, Connor McGovern, Ryan Bates and rookie O’Cyrus Torrence. The interior of the Bills offensive line represents in this another strong point of the workforce and a marked improvement over the level of poor Rodger Saffold, who has certainly made the season too many.
Less finesse to respond to the physical monsters of the division – Quinnen Williams, Christian Wilkins, Jalen Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Christian Barmore -, more balance between passing and running, less pressure on the aerial game and a superstar quarterback in its prime, at 100% of its capacity… The ingredients are there for a succulent recipe…
The weak point(s): a slack in the middle of the defense
…Except that the right side of the offensive line with Spencer Brown and Germain Ifedi remains a huge question mark, whose impact on Josh Allen will have to be monitored, as the failure of his protection posed a problem for him at the end of the season last. In 2022, only 37.7% of Allen’s passing yards came from receiving, the lowest in the league. To get out of this slump, he will need time to read the game and put his receivers in the best conditions.
But the apparent big weak spot, on which the Bills’ title hopes will hinge, is the linebacker squad. The loss of Tremaine Edmunds is absolutely substantial for a defense that was evolving hugely in Cover 2, where the linebacker is in charge of a fast receiver in the center of the field. A role tailor-made for Edmunds and few other NFL players. Who and how will he be replaced? Without an obvious answer, Tyrel Dodson, Terrel Bernard and rookie Dorian Williams will have a lot to do.
X Factor: Sean McDermott
No, the Bills’ head coach is not on the hot seat this season (although the NFL has already given us bigger surprises), but his decision to take back the reins of defense will be carefully analyzed. Leslie Frazier had made this squad one of the best in the league, with a particular style: zone coverage, little eccentricity, little blitz.
Will McDermott follow in the footsteps of his former defensive coordinator or impose his own paw? He may be forced to do so, as the Frazier version of defense relied on the talent, instinct and responsiveness of its players. With defenders either still soft or aging, less conventional and expected concepts may prove necessary. The newcomer, Taylor Rapp, could then have a major role to play, if McDermott decides, for example, to have more often recourse to a dime defense (six defensive backs).
With his double hat, the Bills coach will also be responsible for the development of the youngest shoots of his defense, the first of which is Kaiir Elam, whose crossing of a course would be welcome and would bring a quite remarkable bench depth. in the backfield.
Player to watch: Gabe Davis
Fans of fantasy who had him in their squad last year don’t necessarily wear him in their hearts, but Gabe Davis remains a good asset to have in a receiving corps. Diminished by an ankle injury, he had only a minimal impact on the Bills’ offense in 2022. Let’s get along, Davis has a limited range of play. He doesn’t know how to do many things, but in what he can do, he excels at it.
With Steffon Diggs still performing as well, two high-level tight ends, a more confident running game, and an ankle in good condition, he will only have to capitalize on the opportunities given to him. Without being the best player in this attack, he could be the most important, its barometer. With a good Davis, it will be necessary to get up early to prevent the Bills from hovering around the 30-point mark.
2023 Buffalo Bills Schedule
@Jets, Raiders, @Commanders, Dolphins, Jaguars (London), Giants, @Patriots, Buccaneers, @Bengals, Broncos, Jets, @Eagles, Bye, @Chiefs, Cowboys, @Chargers, Patriots, @Dolphins.
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In summary
Work is health, sang Henri Salvador. Health is our salvation can think the Bills. The lot of all teams, it is true, but even more so that of a contender for the Lombardi trophy. Bolstered by injury returns and the addition of players signaling a change in philosophy, Buffalo looks more balanced than the year before.
With a little more luck, and in the shadow of the Eagles and Chiefs, outgoing finalists, the Jets and Aaron Rodgers or the always fiery and impetuous Bengals, the Bills could well advance masked this season. Without the hype of last year, almost without pressure, but with more certainty and a revenge to take on fate.
