Time for Bills to Embrace Expectations

It has been 13 years since the Buffalo Bills last reached the playoffs and with the much improved roster and easier schedule, it is time for the Bills to end that drought.

With so many players coming back from injury and the additions of so many key players on both sides of the ball, the time to make excuses in Buffalo is over. Defensive end Mario Williams was the biggest offseason signing as the Bills gave him a $100 million dollar deal.  Williams will make a defense who was putrid against both the run and pass last season more potent.  His ability to get to the quarterback along with newly acquired Mark Anderson will force opposing teams to respect them more.

Williams and Anderson by default will make the secondary better by relieving them of some of the pressure they had last year.  Too many times, they were left out to dry due to the pass-rush, or lack there of. 

The Bills still added talent to their secondary when they drafted cornerback Stephon Gilmore from South Carolina with the 10th pick in last April's draft.  Cordy Glenn was also an addition to the defensive line in the second round out of Georgia.  In the third round, the team picked their only offensive skill player of the draft as T.J. Graham of North Carolina State was taken.  Graham will look to add depth to the thin line of receivers the Bills have.

Here is a breakdown of the Bills team as a whole:

Quarterback play: (B-) The play at the quarterback position just hasn't been consistent enough over the past two years to warrant any grade better than a B-.  Consistency from this position is what the Bills are going to need, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to have to deliver if they want to contend in the division.

Running backs: (A-) Fred Jackson is coming back healthy.  C.J. Spiller looks to make more of an impact than he ever has before.  If this tandem can produce the way it looks like they will not only rushing the ball but contributing in the passing game, it will pay large dividends.

Wide Receivers: (C-) After Stevie Johnson, the Bills are very weak in the receiving core.  David Nelson, T.J. Graham, and others will have to step up to give Fitzpatrick enough targets.

Tight Ends: (B) If Scott Chandler can play consistently like last year, the Bills will have themselves a solid option in the red zone.

Offensive Line: (C+) The reason this grade isn't higher is because as talented as the line is, they haven't been able to stay healthy.  Until they can for an entire season, C+ is a fitting grade.

Defensive Line: (A-) The preseason hasn't been the kindest to the defense as they have had flashes of greatness and flashes of mediocrity.  I do think they will find their stuff and be fine during the season.  Pass rush seems to be potent.

Linebackers: (B-) If they get to the quarterback more than last season, it's already an improvement.

Secondary: (A-) The secondary without adding anyone would have already improved when Mario Williams signed, but with the addition of Stephon Gilmore, they will be even better.

Special Teams: (B) Special teams have always been average for the Bills and I don't anticipate anything different this season.

Coaching: (B) Chan Gailey seems to have his ducks in a row this season but in his third season, he must show significant improvements or he automatically goes under fire.  There are no more excuses.

My prediction for the 2012-2013 Buffalo Bills: 9-7 (3-3)