32 Teams in 32 Days: Buffalo Bills

Were back at it again today as we take a look at my favorite team the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are coming off of a 6-10 season that saw them finish last in the AFC East and missed the playoffs for for the 14th consecutive season. Rookie QB E.J Manuel battled injuries throughout the year and the team could never get on a roll and win a couple of games in a row. Along with missing the playoffs in 14 straight seasons, they have had 9 consecutive losing seasons. But, they look to make some noise this year and maybe break both of those streaks this season. There aren't any real position "battles" going on, just some positions where a player is fighting to really just lite a fire under the starter. And don't forget to tune in tonight to take a look at the Bills as they play their second preseason game against the Panthers.

Right Tackle: Erik Pears vs Cyrus Kouandjio and Right Guard: Kraig Urbik vs Chris Hairston

Pears is the far out front runner at this position as the rookie Kouandjio out of Alabama has really not progressed as much as expected so far in camp. Pears real competitor might be rookie 7 round pick Seantrel Henderson out of Miami. As you may have read in one of my previous writings, that Henderson does not lack talent at all as he fell to the 7 round due to off the field issues. He was really good in the first preseason game at left-tackle as he filled in for Cordy Glenn and has had a good training camp so far, so he is definitely a player to keep an eye on.

There is the situation with some positions on defense as guys are projected starters and others just fighting to show what they have.

Free Safety: Da'Norris Searcy vs Duke Williams vs Johnathan Meeks and Weak Side Linebacker: Nigal Bradham vs Preston Brown

Searcy has had a strong camp so far and was thought of to be the starting free safety coming into camp alongside SS Aaron Williams. He has a big role to fill for the departed Jarius Byrd, who is one of the best safeties in the league. Williams and Meeks are both second year guys battling each other for the backup safety position. Then you have weakside linebacker, which is another position that has big shoes to fill after Reigning defensive rookie of the year Kiko Alonso went down with a torn ACL. Bradham came in to camp expected to fill that role and that looks like what is going to happen but, he is being pushed by rookie Preston Brown.

Now that we have looked over some of the position battles in camp lets look at some key players for the Bills this year:

E.J Manuel- Probably the most important/crucial player on the team, Manuel enters his second season at the helm of this Buffalo offense. As a rookie he struggled with injuries and inconsistency as he could just not air the ball out like they had hoped. But, this year he looks to prove his durability and regain his accurate touch that he had at Florida State and really help this football team make a big step forward in the league. They went out and got him a true weapon in receiver Sammy Watkins out of Clemson and pair him up with 2 year man Robert Woods, Mike Williams, and speedster Marquise Goodwin. They also have a solid trio of RB's in CJ Spiller, Fred Jackson, and new pickup Bryce Brown. So with these weapons in the arsenal it is now up to Manuel to lead this team to new heights.

Mario Williams- Williams leads this fierce defensive line which also includes fellow pro-bowlers Kyle Williams (10.5 sacks in '13) and Marcell Dareus (7.5 sacks in '13). Also, don't forget his fellow outside pass rusher Jerry Hughes, who came over from the Colts last season and contributed 10 sacks himself.  The former number 1 overall pick led this team with 13 sacks last year and has always been a force coming off the edge and putting pressure on the QB. Look for him to have an equal or even better season this year as him and the rest of this d-line have to step up even more with the absence of Alonso and the departure of Byrd.

Brandon Spikes- This may seem like a surprise but, Spikes might be the key to this defense this season. He comes over from the Patriots where he has had a solid couple of seasons and now has to replace Alonso in the middle of this defense. It will be hard to have a season like Alonso did last year but, I truly believe Spikes  has the capabilities to have a season near it and has to step up as the leader of this below-average linebacker corps.

X-Factor- Sammy Watkins

The much hyped rookie receiver from Clemson is looked upon to come into this offense and be an immediate game changing play maker. He has all the tools to be a great receiver in this league with his combination of blazing speed and less known about strength. His college numbers are ridiculous to the tune of 101 catches for nearly 1500 yards and 12 TD's a season ago. He is also one of only four ever be named a first team all american as a true freshman joining Herschel Walker, Marshall Faulk, and Adrian Peterson. If he can repeat the numbers of some other rookie receivers that have come into the league recently (Julio Jones, AJ Green) the Bills will have a very efficient offense.

Season Outlook:

The 2014 schedule is listed below... While the Bills are right in the middle of the pack in strength of schedule, (meaning the teams they play this year had a combined record of .500 last year), I believe their schedule is a little tough than that. Of course you have the two games against the Patriots who they have historically struggled against, they also have other tough games like at Chicago to start the season and at the Broncos later in the season. This year is hard to predict because it's hard to predict how much Manuel is going to step up, but, if they can go at least 4-2 in the division, I see them going 9-7 with a chance of sneaking into a wild card spot. And remember check back tomorrow as I take a look at the Carolina Panthers.