Bad Luck Buffalo || A Buffalo Bills Franchise

[Driveshaft815]

The Buffalo Bills have always been known for their awful luck. The Bills helped coin the term "wide right", when Scott Norwood missed a field goal, giving the Giants a one point victory in Super Bowl 25. During the 90's, the Bills would go to the Super Bowls four times in four consecutive years -- a feat that no other team has yet to accomplish -- however, the Bills would also go on to lose the game all four years.

The Bills have not made the playoffs since 1999. Since then, the Bills have struggled on both sides of the ball, and have yet to find a quarterback since the days of Jim Kelly. Since 1999, the Bills have never done better than a 9-7 record, but they also haven't done much worse than a 6-10 record.

Enter 2014. The Patriots, the team that has dominated the AFC East since Tom Brady took over at QB for Drew Bledsoe, seems to be on a decline. The Bills seem to be on an incline, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills, for the first time in over a decade, have (arguably) a top five defense. Mixed with young guys and aging players alike, the Bills enter the season without legendary owner Ralph Wilson, hoping to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.

Game Settings

Spoiler

Console: Xbox 360
Salary Cap: On
Skill Level: All-Pro
Quarters: 10 minutes
Acc. Clock: On
Min. Play Clock Time: 20 seconds
Game Speed: Normal
Player Progression: Weekly
Coach Firing: On
Game Play Tuning: On
Injury: On
Pre-Existing Injury: Off
Trade Deadline: On
Trade Type: Enable All
Relocation Settings: Normal

[Driveshaft815]

2014 Season Outlook

Position: Quarterbacks


EJ Manuel didn't have the prettiest of rookie seasons. Riddled with injuries, Manuel missed a good chunk of the season, throwing for under 2,000 yards. Ball control is going to be the first thing addressed with the young quarterback... ball control will be crucial, especially with the weapons surrounding him on both offense and defense.

Kyle Orton was recently picked up after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys; with health being a concern with Manuel, the Bills felt the need to go out and get a reliable backup quarterback, which they found in Orton. Jeff Tuel still has some developing to do, so the experience of Kyle Orton should be able to help out both of the younger quarterbacks.


Position: Backs


The halfback position is one of the few positions that the Buffalo Bills have never really had a real struggle with. C.J. Spiller will be the lead back this year, with veteran Fred Jackson splitting carries. Entering his 8th season at the age of 33 years old, Fred Jackson is still as reliable and explosive as ever, both in the running and passing game.

As electrifying as Spiller is, he will be taken off of special team duties for the first time since being drafted. The Bills want to primarily use Spiller in the backfield, and really make him a feature back. Coach Doug Marrone doesn't want to wear Spiller down or risk injury by having him returning kicks.


Position: Receivers/Tight Ends


The Bills went through a huge overall at receiver this year. Fans were in shock when the Bills traded former lead receiver Stevie Johnson to the 49ers for a draft pick. The Bills traded up in the draft in order to get the 4th overall pick, which they used to get Sammy Watkins, an impressive young receiver out of Clemson. Also new to the team is the former Buccaneer, Mike Williams, who will be lining up opposite of Watkins, with Robert Woods in the slot.

Scott Chandler hopes to be a huge part of the passing game this year for Manuel; Chandler is a huge target standing tall at 6'7". Manuel and Chandler has shown good chemistry during the preseason, and hope to continue that heading into the regular season.


Position: Offensive Line


Perhaps the most worrisome position of this entire Bills team is the O-Line. Lead by the impressive young tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bills O-Line certainly had their troubles in 2013, allowing 48 total sacks on the season. The Bills' O-Line seemed to struggle a lot in the preseason, but hope to get back into shape against the Bears week one.


Position: Defensive Ends/Tackles


The Bills host one of the best defensive lines in all of football, currently lead by veteran DE Mario Williams. Since coming over in 2012 from the Texans, Williams has played some of the best football in his career, putting up just 23.5 sacks in two years. On the opposite side is Jerry Hughes, who played his first year with Buffalo in 2013, and made a huge impact right away.

One the inside of that line are Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, who are both coming off of the best years of their careers. Williams recorded a career-high 10 sacks last season, and looks to make the same kind of impact this season.


Position: Linebackers


Kiko Alonso leads a young and powerful linebackers corp, after leading the team in tackles (third overall in tackles last year). Bills fans also welcome Brandon Spikes from the Patriots who will be lining up as an inside linebacker, with Nigel Bradham on the opposite side of Alonso.


Position: Cornerbacks


The Bills' secondary was a struggle for many years, but was overhauled over the past couple years, and is still growing. The CB corp is led by the young third year player, Stephon Gilmore. Buffalo also picked up the former Raven and Buffalo-native Corey Graham, who is coming off of his best season with a career-high four interceptions.


Position: Safeties


There's a relatively young group at both safety positions this year; Bills will be without Jairus Byrd, who was picked up by the Saints. To make up for the loss, Bills moved Aaron Williams, whom is also coming off his best season last year, to the free safety position with Da'Norris Searcy getting the start for strong safety.


Position: Special Teams


Dan Carpenter had a fantastic first year with the Bills last year, replacing long-time kicker Rian Lindell. Carpenter only missed three field goals on the year, with a long of fifty-five. Rookie Colton Schmidt will be punting for the Bills.

After announcing Spiller wouldn't be returning kicks this year, coach Doug Marrone announced that it would be Goodwin being the main guy to return kicks, with Bryce Brown, Marcus Easley, and Leodis McKelvin filling in.

[Driveshaft815]

One more reserve...