Toronto Bills Blog

The oddsmakers predict that the Bills will win less than 8 regular season games again this year.  Sports Interaction cites the many problems plaguing the team.  Trent Edwards is not expected to hit his mark.  The offensive line has only 2 returning veterans.  The defense is weak despite the addition of Aaron Maybin for pass rush.  The Bills play in the extremely competitive AFC East and open against perennial powerhouse New England.  The only chance Buffalo is given is that 5 of the first 6 regular season contests are against teams that missed the playoffs last year.  This is shaping up as another losing year for the Bills.

The Pittsburgh Steelers shut out the Bills 17 – 0 last night at Heinz Field.  Ben Roethlisberger was in championship form, completing 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards.  The Bills no-huddle offense stumbled.  Trent Edwards was 6 of 13 for 31 yards and one interception.  The starting offense has generated no touchdowns and only one field goal in 4 preseason games.  Terrell Owens was again sidelined with a sprained toe.  The team’s prospects are rapidly fading.  The season opener against New England is only 2 weeks away.  With the  Bills playing this poorly, it is questionable whether Dick Jauron will make it through the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are favored by 6 points over the Bills in tonight’s preseason game at Heinz Field.  The struggling Bills face an uphill battle against the defending Super Bowl champions.  Buffalo will be playing against a 3-4 defense that last year gave up the fewest points in the league.  Ace quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has won 2 Super Bowls.   The Bills will probably go with Trent Edwards for the entire first half.  This is a very uneven matchup that Buffalo has little chance of winning.

Turnover is rampant in the NFL coaching ranks.  This year there will be 11 new head coaches.  The Bills will be 1 of only 7 teams to keep the same head coach and special teams, offensive, and defensive coordinators.  That Ralph Wilson is going with Dick Jauron and company is hard to understand given their losing record.  The Buffalo coaches are among the lowest paid in the league.  Special teams coordinator Bobby April is the one standout.  The way things are shaping up in the preseason, we expect the Bills will be replacing most of the coaching staff.  Outstanding head coaches such as Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher are available.  New coaches will give a fresh start, as the team transitions to Toronto.

Labatt is running a promotion commemorating the Bills 50th anniversary.  Labatt, the beer of choice for many Canadians, is marketing specially designed cans that highlight milestones in the team’s history.  Also being distributed are 50 golden cans that can be redeemed for Bills prizes.  It is fitting that a Canadian beer is being promoted for the team’s anniversary.  Soon fans will be able to enjoy a refreshing Labatt at the Rogers Centre once the Bills relocate to Toronto.

The Bills are struggling midway through the preseason.  Quarterback Trent Edwards has yet to score a touchdown.  He has been intercepted twice and sacked 4 times.  Terrell Owens will miss this weekend’s Pittsburgh game with a sprained toe.  The revamped offensive line has come up short against the 3 – 4.  On defense, the one bright spot is rookie Nic Harris, who has 16 tackles.  The team only has 2 remaining preseason games before the opener with New England on September 14.  The Bills have a long way to go to make themselves contenders.  Their progress to date is not promising.

The future of Bills head coach Dick Jauron is tied to the development of quarterback Trent Edwards.  Jauron has compiled a mediocre 7 – 9 record in each of his 3 seasons with the Bills.  He has started Edwards the last 2 years.  Edwards has the potential to become a solid if unexceptional NFL quarterback.  He demonstrated promise in the first 2 preseason games, completing 13 of 14 passes.  He faltered in the Green Bay game, failing to throw for more than 10 yards after an early fumble that led to a Green Bay score.  Such indecisiveness is a liability.  Unless Jauron can instill confidence and consistency in Edwards, the Bills will be looking for a new head coach.  Toronto management would not have renewed Jauron’s contract after a three-year losing streak.

Bills first-round draft pick Aaron Maybin must play catch up ball after his lengthy contract holdout.  The star defensive end signed a 5 year contract worth $25 million with $14 million guaranteed.  He missed all of training camp.  The 6 foot 4, 250 pound defensive end said his teammates were supportive throughout the ordeal.  Last year he had 12 sacks for Penn State.  With only 3 weeks remaining until the season opener against New England, Maybin must prove his worth.  It defies understanding why the team allowed the negotiations to drag on.  Business as usual at One Bills Drive.

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Bills 31 – 21 Saturday night before a sellout at Lambeau Field.  It was a long night for the Bills as both the offense and defense struggled.  Trent Edwards was intercepted in the first series and sacked twice.  Overall he completed 7 of 11 passes for 45 yards.  Marshawn Lynch ran for only 6 yards.  The Bills had 4 turnovers.  The team was outplayed and outmaneuvered.  The Bills must get their act together.  The starting offense has yet to score a touchdown in 3 preseason games.  The pressure is on head coach Dick Jauron to turn things around or he will likely be fired.

The Bills are a 3 point favorite over Green Bay in tonight’s preseason lineup.  The game, to be played at historic Lambeau Field, matches Bills quarterback Trent Edwards with the Packers Aaron Rodgers.  Edwards has been playing well, completing all 10 of his passes in the Bears game.  The defense was sharp, with 3 sacks and 4 interceptions.  Last week the Packers triumphed over the Browns 17 – 0.  The Bills show promise despite adversity.  Terrell Owens is sidelined with a sprained toe and will not start.  Aaron Maybin’s contract holdout was a major distraction.  The Bills need to sustain their momentum and prove that their victory over the Bears was not a fluke.