UB Bulls 2009 football preview: Offense

by Steve

The University @ Buffalo football team opens up the season Saturday Sept 5th 8pm (UB +8) @ UTEP. James Starks' injury no doubt has taken the wind out of many fans sails, my self included, but the team is more than just one player. They're also a coach, Turner Gill, and thankfully he returns. And with Gill still at the helm the idea of a bowl birth and even a MAC Championship has to be on the table.

Taking over for the best quarterback (statistically) in UB history, Drew Willy, is lefty Zach Maynard. The 6'3 sophomore is a near 180 from the pocket passer his predecessor was. Maynard, a double threat, isn't afraid to roll out and take off for a big run or stick around in the pocket and sling it around. His only major contribution last year was burning his red shirt freshman season a few games into the 08 campaign. Gill decided to send him in for a play last year when Willy went down in what appeared to be a major injury which turned out to be nothing. Since then Maynard has solidified himself as the guy in '09.

Since Starks is out for the year Naaman Roosevelt needs to some how get better. Walterfootball.com ranked Roosevelt the 13th best WR in the country over the spring and even Mel Kiper jr has mentioned him in the recent past. Losing Willy certainly has the possibility of hurting his chances on building on an incredible 2008(104 catches 13 tds). But with dreams of being drafted in the top three rounds in next April's draft, this team may quickly become NR's team.

Another potential bright spot that could emerge in the absence of Starks is Brandon Thermilus. Last year as the change of pace back and goal line bruiser, Thermilus has the track record and pedigree to excel as the full time star. Seven touchdowns and a stout 4.5 yards a carry allows for hope this season despite what's his name's absence. Alonzo Highsmith's kid needless to say has big shoes to fill.

Other than that, the offensive line is replacing LT, C and RG. Major contributing seniors Jesse Rack and Brett Hamlin return. Behind them, who is going to step up is anyone's guess. Sophomore wide receivers Terrell Jackson and Marcus Rivers are a mix of height and speed while back up running backs senior Mario Henry and junior Ike Nduka have been thrust into more prominent roles.

The holes left behind by Willy and Starks are massive. Despite that I have an eerie confidence in this Bulls squad. This is in major contrast to the Bills and the obvious difference is a steady confident hand at the helm. Gill's presence will be even more evident this season as Gill will be calling the offensive plays.

Here's hoping for 6 wins and another bowl birth.

defensive preview later this week.

Terrell Owens talks Trentative and the offense

http://www.buffalobills.com/media-lounge/videos#?id=a7da2c07-da58-4854-80d8-01a9350f02fd

A reporter asks him about the fans calling Trent Edwards trentative and captain checkdown.. pretty funny (2 minute mark)

he says he would play thursday but it isn't necessary and it is up to jauron

not worried about what he has seen the last 2 weeks

big plays and production will come

Dick Jauron quote of the day 8/31/09

From Jauron's mouth per TBN:

Asked about the fact he did not flat-out reject the suggestion of Bell taking Walker's spot, Jauron replied:

"No I didn’t flat out say he couldn’t. I hardly ever flat out say anything. (There were laughs among the media corps.) The reason why I generally say things like that is we’ve all seen things happen. … So I could never say there’s no way you could see. You could probably name about anybody likely to be on our roster and I’d say the same thing."

Teddy Bruschi retires nooooooo

by Steve

I have the unfortunate job of writing (hopefully) the last ever post about one Theodore Bruschi. The rumors appear to be true, the "golden god" Bruschi is retiring from professional football. How can he let down his legions of fans across the globe and probably the universe? Him depriving us all the privilege to watch him play football for the New Englad Patriots, unfathomable.

Not only has he saved puppies, children, cured aids and been a probowl LB and "world" champion, he survived a stroke too. We'll miss you Ted and I am 100% positive you will succeed in any and all future endeavors.

Wait, why is he retiring? He doesn't have it any more? Wasn't gonna be a starter? The Pats were gonna cut him? All I really know is I can't wait for all the high lights and praise showered upon him in the coming weeks on ESPN

Bills vs. Steelers

-Coast

There is 10:53 left in the second quarter and I find myself swearing at the TV like it is mid January. Trent Edwards is 3-7 for 11 yards and an interception which was returned for a touchdowns. The Bills have had the ball for 5:25 while the Steelers have had it for 13:52 and have the ball right now and Leodis just dropped an interception.

I have never ever in my life felt worse about a season than I do now. The Bills first team offense has scored 3 points this pre season. I feel worse this year than I did before the 3-13 disaster that was the 2001 season. They just showed Jauron...as usual he is completely emotionless. Can he get in someones face? This is freaking pathetic.

The Bills just got the ball back-here is a live blog of this drive which will most certainly be three plays. First and 10 from the 12...Edwards audibilizing...flag...Rhodes for 3 yards...offsides!!! best play for the Bills pathetic mistake of an offense in this game. Wow, the Bills just got the ball in Parrish's hands. Shocking. Edwards again audibilizing...another 0 yard run by Rhodes...looks like the game plan is to not let Trent do anything really on this drive...probably smart...agian he throws to a running back. Where is Lee Evans???? There he is, wide freaking open...but hit as he threw. God this is terrible. Dude can't even throw a wide receiver screen. Now he is sacked. He is a statue out there. He looked like Bledsoe on that play except worse. If I were T.O. I would demand a trade right now. If he wants another contract, playing with this piece of shit quarterback won't get him one.

Can we give it up with Keith Ellison? He can't run with a running back. God I can't stand Keith Ellison. Why not see what Nic Harris or Alvin Bowen can do? Ellison looks smaller than Limus Sweed. Another good play by McKelvin. He is our only good player, I am convinced. Pittsburgh has converted at least 4 third down and 8 plus yard situations in this game. Wow-Ben just had about 45 minutes to throw. Unbelievably bad. It is now the 2 minute warning. Time of possession update: 20:17 to 7:43. That is just unheard of. 2nd and 9 from the Bills 14...I predicted a 17-0 halftime score in favor of Pittsburgh, AJ will attest...this team is bad. Mendanhall just walked into the endzone...17 zip. 21:46 to 8:14 will be the first half time of possession. Total yards was 209 to 50.

Ok, it's half time, so I have taken a deep breath or just vented to about 4 people on the phone. The Bills MUST scrap the no huddle offense in the regular season. If they don't, they will set the NFL record for worst point differential in history. We are looking at 30 point losses on a consistent basis. On the last play of the first half, Edwards didn't even look downfield...he stared down Rhodes the whole time. Lee Evans has received one look so far. He is making 9 million dollars per year. Edwards completed another pass to a running back. This is a broken record. He has ONE completion to a receiver in this game.

I am going to stop talking about this game as Omon just completely whiffed on a block and Farrior hit Edwards who looked like he didn't think pass rushes existed. Whatever.

Dick Jauron quote of the day

"Our execution was poor in Green Bay," Jauron said. "Our recognition was OK. There weren't a lot of times where we were blocking the wrong people or not recognizing what was happening. What we did to it wasn't good and how we executed it wasn't ideal. So if there was any positive signs I thought that was it. But clearly we just didn't get anything done."

Tom Brady Shoulder

by Steve

Great, Tom Brady has an alleged shoulder issue. Torn labrum? Separation? Too many shoulder/arm fucks? Jizz to the shoulder? I don't know i'm not a medical professional, as per Jauron. Butttt is he seriously hurt after the game against Washington?

Truth is, it doesn't matter. Dick Jauron is our head coach. No matter who we play, who is out, who is dead, who is sucking mad wang, our head coach will never out coach our opponent. Is it depressing? Obv. Our only hope is 0-3 and a firing. Yes, that is where we are as a franchise.

Maker's, markers, cranberry vodkas