Bills preview: Sean McDermott's arrival gives Buffalo needed reboot
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports is providing five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, the Buffalo Bills ...
1. Buffalo is starting from scratch again
Head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley were fired, as was the entire scouting and personnel staff. Sean McDermott is the new coach; his former colleague with the Carolina Panthers, Brandon Beane, is the new GM, and together they will chart the course for a Bills team that has failed to make the playoffs for 17 years in a row. That’s the longest drought for any team in the four major North American sports. The first step, now that Beane has been hired, is to build the scouting staff so they can begin to prepare for the upcoming college football season.
2. Despite doubts, Taylor is back and entrenched as the starter
No one should think otherwise. Whaley was ready to move on from Tyrod Taylor after 2016, but when McDermott was hired and began to get to know Taylor, he wanted to retain him, provided Taylor and the team could work out a more favorable, team-friendly contract. That happened, and Taylor is back for at least 2017, though the Bills hedged their bets by signing veteran free agent T.J. Yates and drafting Nathan Peterman in the fifth round. They will join Cardale Jones in a competition to be the backup.
3. The passing attack is still a work in progress
The Bills have been the best running team in the NFL in each of the past two seasons, but they also have been one of the least-efficient passing teams. Beane says he recognizes the Bills have to be better at throwing the ball. The hope is that Taylor can improve his accuracy in what will be his third year as a starter, but he needs help, and that has to come from three sources. Top wide receiver Sammy Watkins has to stay healthy; second-round draft pick Zay Jones must come in and not only replace departed Robert Woods as the No.2 wideout but also be more productive; and tight end Charles Clay has to start living up to the huge free agent contract he signed before the 2015 season, because he has underachieved.
4. The defense is switching to a 4-3
The good news is that it might be almost impossible to not show defensive improvement under McDermott. Last season, the Bills ranked 16th in points allowed and 29th in rushing yards allowed. The players never bought in to Ryan’s complicated 3-4 defense that demanded so much reading. The Bills’ personnel is better suited to McDermott’s scheme, because linemen such as Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams can return to tackle positions, while Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson can go out and be pass-rushing ends. Ryan’s scheme seemed to have everyone playing out of position.
5. The road ahead in 2017 is still difficult
There has been change in the coaching and personnel departments, but the reality for 2017 is that it’s going to be difficult for the Bills to end their playoff drought. The dynastic New England Patriots aren’t going anywhere, and the Bills have, on paper, the NFL’s fifth-toughest schedule. Buffalo’s opponents had a combined winning percentage of .561 in 2016, and, counting the division rival Miami Dolphins and New England twice, Buffalo plays seven games against teams that made the playoffs.
Maiorana also writes for the (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network.
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