Buffalo Bills Season Recap

Ah yes, a tradition unlike any other: Re-caping the Buffalo Bills season in December. While this season was trending in the right direction, below-average quarterback play has yet again been the crux to the reason as to why this team can not get over the hump and into the playoffs.


Offense

Obviously the most pressing issue this off season will be finding a new QB. Kyle Orton's ride off into the sunset (read: nearest liquor store) came seemingly out of no where, although as someone noted he took the gameball with him after he left the field at Gillette Stadium. So that being said it seems as if he knew he was retiring before the game and kind of putting the Bills in a shitty situation by not letting them know before the game. The team could have thrown EJ out there to see what he's got in a yet another meaningless Week 17 game.

(Stick to mid-level college ball, Nate)

The Bills have the worst offensive coordinator in the league. I have voiced my approval rating of Nate Hackett Here. So there is not much more to be said, as Hackett continued to be overwhelmed by the position all year. Throwing nearly 60 times a game with Kyle Orton should never happen.

CJ Spiller continues to fade into being a role player. We've seen CJ explode a couple years ago and since then injury and being put into poor situations have hindered his growth as a player. The offensive line also didn't give him much room to run, take notes of what Dallas has done.

Boobie D is still awesome.

Sammy will be a true number 1 wide receiver. 18 yards short of 1,000 yards receiving with Kyle Orton as your quarterback. Let that sink in. While he can certainly improve, the OC also needs to figure out how to get him the ball in space.

Robert Woods showed flashes of being a star in this league. He plays with fire and just needs to learn how to be more consistent from game to game. Awesome guy to have on a competitive team like this.


Defense

This defense deserves to be in the playoffs. While I still think that the secondary needs to improve, the front 7 proved that they are among the best in the NFL.

I think that Jerry Hughes earned himself a pay-day and that it should be the Bills who pony up an offer to get him to stay. Although I see where people are worried about how hungry a player like that will be after they are paid - with little guaranteed money and a team like Buffalo who is young and hungry, I don't see this being much of a problem.

Kiko coming back is a huge asset for this already stout defense, but it also brings into question as to where Brandon Spikes will fit going forward. I think you need to re-sign a proven vet like Spikes who has played on big stages his entire career - college and pro - who doesn't require a huge cap hit to keep.


Special Teams

Dan Carpenter is good.

Having a kick off specialist in 2014 is ridiculous.

Colton Schmidt... Not terrible.

Marcus Thigpen is a huge upgrade and earned himself a spot on a team in the future as a kick return specialist.

If you're looking for an in-depth special teams recap you've come to the wrong place.


The year was fun, the highs were high, the lows were low. But at least there were highs. That's a start... right?