Battle of the “New’s”: Will Tom Brady and Company Get a Win?

We all witnessed the New England Patriots have a close call last week against the Buffalo Bills that was mere minutes from leaving them with a 0-1 home start.

Tom Brady didn’t exactly look like the 16-0 regular season record-breaking QB we witnessed just two seasons ago.

Buffalo harassed him and made him make mistakes and all but won until the last five minutes of the game.

Oh, and until then Brady was outperformed by Trent Edwards.

Now that Brady and the Patriots fought through that game and left with a win, they have a new challenge in the form of brazen first-year coach Rex Ryan and his New York Jets.

Rookie QB Mark Sanchez’ debut against the Houston Texans last week was eye-popping good, as he went 18-31 with 272 yards passing and a TD, but one ugly interception.

Sanchez did the most damage on third down, going 12-15 and continuously converting to keep that Texans defense on the field, and All-Pro WR Andre Johnson off of it.

New York’s defense also played very well, pressuring Texans QB Matt Schaub down-after-down, and he ended with a 18-33, 166 yard performance and also had an interception.

Johnson was kept in-check, with just 4 receptions for 35 yards and no TD’s.

Houston, a team that some experts have finishing with a playoff berth, is no walk-over and the Jets seemingly handled them with ease.

With the Patriots coming to town this Sunday, none of what happened last week matters anymore.

You can bet that Brady and the Hoody will come into town with a gameplan that will be geared to make Sanchez and that offense make mistakes.

Costly ones.

Are Ryan and the Jets ready for the Pats?

Judging by what they’ve been saying in the media this week, I’d say so.

Jets DT Kris Jenkins has been quoted saying that this game is the Jets, “Super Bowl,” and FS Kerry Rhodes said that the Jets wanted to, “Embarrass the Pats.”

This is you guys Super Bowl? Really Jenkins? What team calls a game in week two a Super Bowl when they aren’t out of possibly making the real one?

A team with Super Bowl aspirations doesn’t need to make one game against a rival that serious. You don’t hear Tony Romo calling the Cowboys home opener against the rival New York Giants this week a Super Bowl.

When you have to come out and pump yourself up to the media and your opponent is known for their silence in these situations, it looks as though you don’t really believe you can win.

The Pats know they can win, hence the silence and lack of response.

Brady chose to be diplomatic, saying that, “talk is cheap” and that the Pats, “Feel a certain way,” and “don’t necessarily need to tell everyone about it.”

After listening to Ryan urge all fans to do everything they can to help his ballclub, apparently the Jets do.

Nonetheless, this Sunday Giants Stadium will be on fire as the fans will be locked in to send Brady and the Pats into confusion.

What can each team do to have the higher score when the clock ticks down to zero? Here are two keys to victory for each team.

 

New York Jets Keys To Victory

1. Pressure Tom Brady!

It’s no secret that Brady is just returning from major knee surgery and hasn’t gotten his legs completely under him yet.

Buffalo pressured him often, and stymied that Patriot offensive attack for most of the game. This week the Jets will have to be pitbulls unleashed onto the Patriots offensive line to hit Brady and hit him often.

The Giants showed in their Super Bowl XLII victory that consistent pressure on Brady can throw off his rhythm and timing with his receivers.

Ryan will have to come up with blitzing schemes that get to Brady quickly, where he can’t get the ball to the ever-dangerous Randy Moss or Wes Welker. If they don’t get to him in time, Brady will make chopped liver out of them.

2. Establish the Run Early

The biggest asset for an inexperienced QB is a potent ground attack, and Sanchez got that last week against the Texans from Leon Washington and Thomas Jones.

Jones and Washington combined for 167 yards and 2 TD’s off of 35 carries.

They will need a repeat of that performance. The Patriots have a new defense that has lost guys like Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and injured rising star LB Jerod Mayo.

Therefore, a few holes will be present for the Jets to exploit Sunday.

Jones and Washington will get their chances early, and if that offensive line of the Jets can contain Vince Wilfork and Tully Banta-Cain, the Jets will run all the way through them.

If not, watch out rookie!

 

New England Patriots Keys To Victory

1. Protect Tom Brady!

Just as the Jets need to pressure Brady and want to hit him much as possible, the Pats offensive line has to give him time and protect him and his reconstructed knee.

If Brady gets hit too much early, he may become slightly gun-shy and scared to follow through on his throws.

Against the Bills last week, Brady started the game squeamish on moving through his throwing motion, seemingly protecting that knee a little.

In the second half though, Brady became increasingly confident and led his team on two touchdown drives to win the game.

The Jets will be blitzing him often, and if Dan Koppen and the big guts up front can give him time with chipping help from Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney, Brady might light up the town in New York.

2. Force Mark Sanchez To Look Like A Rookie

Sanchez has everyone in the football world raving about his poise and great decision-making in last week’s victory over Houston.

Unfortunately, that was only one game and he has to do it again.

At some point, Sanchez will look like a rookie and make some mistakes that his team will have to back him on.

If the Pats have it their way, that time will come Sunday.

Bill Belichick is historically great at forcing opposing QB’s to make mistakes, especially rookies. Belichick will have some schemes ready for Mr. Sanchez Sunday that he’s never saw before.

If the Pats execute and pressure Sanchez by stopping the run and forcing him to pass, the young man from USC will think twice about his decision to enter the NFL at about 4:15 Sunday afternoon.

If not, the Pats could be this week’s Texans.

 

Prediction

Much as I like Sanchez, Ryan and the Jets, I have to go with the experienced Patriots in this one.

Sanchez will have his moments, but none solid as what we will see from the incomparable Tom Brady, as he will go over the 300-yard mark with at least two touchdowns.

The Jets will do moderately well on the ground, but not enough as Sanchez will be forced into throwing the ball over 32 times and at least one turnover.

Patriots get the win, 31-21.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Which NFL Players Have Rising and Falling Stock So Far?

We have reached the preseason for 2009, and many players have already rose or depleted their stock so far. In the midst of many storylines that make us salivate more than ever for the start of the regular season, some players have emerged to make their upcoming season look promising.

In contrast, many players have disappointed so far and need to regain form to enter the season on a high cloud. It may be early, but these players have stood out for the right, and wrong reasons.

32 Bold Predictions For The 2009 NFL Season

I start this opus out with a heavy heart, as my father is currently hospitalized with heart arrhythmia after surgery to remove an abscess from his left knee somehow went wrong.

After arriving home for a while after being out with him for several hours, I thought to myself, “what a great time to write my annual predictions article.”

Football is not only a game and my favorite sport, but it’s the gift that never stops giving.

My love for the sport helps me to feel a certain utopia that not many other things can compare to.

When I feel my worst, the feeling of anticipating a season, great matchup, or game that comes down to the last second seems to have a healing effect that nothing else can accurately match.

As the preseason is now just a week away, I look at what has transpired in the offseason and I become ever so excited about what we as fans are about to witness.

Terrell Owens is a Buffalo Bill. Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear. T.J Houshmandzadeh is a Seattle Seahawk. The Peyton Manning sans Marvin Harrison era begins. Michael Vick is out of jail. Plaxico Burress may be going.

Tom Brady is back. Brett Favre isn’t (there is a God).

There are so many story lines that I could write a separate article about them all.

One word we will hear a lot this season is “parity.” There is so much competition and so many teams, that it is virtually a complete toss-up to try and predict who will be the last man standing like Bruce Willis.

I will for the second consecutive year attempt to do the impossible: predict the 2009 season all the way to the Super Bowl MVP.

Last year, I was about 42 percent correct, which isn’t bad for blind predictions. I’m aiming for 100 percent this time, but hey, who’s counting?

I want all comments, arguments and everything when you read this article. Spill it all, because we can go back to it in February.

After the season ends, I will revisit this article to see just how right I was. Let’s get this party started.

32. The New England Patriots Will Win the AFC East

31. The Baltimore Ravens Will Win the AFC North

30. The Tennessee Titans Will Win the AFC South

29. The San Diego Chargers Will Win the AFC West

28. The Philadelphia Eagles Will Win the NFC East

27. The Minnesota Vikings Will Win the NFC North

26. The Atlanta Falcons Will Win the NFC South

25. The Arizona Cardinals Will Win the NFC West

24. The AFC East Will Finish Like This:

1. New England Patriots- 13-3

2. Buffalo Bills- 10-6

3. Miami Dolphins- 8-8

4. New York Jets- 5-11

23. The AFC North Will Finish Like This:

1. Baltimore Ravens- 11-5

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- 10-6

3. Cincinnati Bengals- 8-8

4. Cleveland Browns- 6-10

22. The AFC South Will Finish Like This:

1. Tennessee Titans- 11-5

2. Indianapolis Colts- 9-7

3. Houston Texans- 8-8

4. Jacksonville Jaguars- 4-12

21. The AFC West Will Finish Like This:

1. San Diego Chargers- 10-6

2. Oakland Raiders- 9-7

3. Kansas City Chiefs- 8-8

4. Denver Broncos- 5-11

20. The NFC East Will Finish Like This:

1. Philadelphia Eagles- 10-6

2. Dallas Cowboys- 10-6

3. New York Giants- 8-8

4. Washington Redskins- 7-9

19. The NFC North Will Finish Like This:

1. Minnesota Vikings- 11-5

2. Green Bay Packers- 10-6

3. Chicago Bears- 8-8

4. Detroit Lions- 5-11

18. The NFC South Will Finish Like This:

1. Atlanta Falcons- 12-4

2. New Orleans Saints- 10-6

3. Carolina Panthers- 8-8

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 4-12

17. The NFC West Will Finish Like This:

1. Arizona Cardinals- 9-7

2. Seattle Seahawks- 8-8

3. San Francisco 49ers- 8-8

4. St. Louis Rams- 3-13

16. The San Diego Chargers Will Defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 in WC1.

15. The Buffalo Bills Will Defeat the Tennessee Titans 14-10 in WC2.

14. The Dallas Cowboys Will Defeat the Arizona Cardinals 29-24 in WC3.

13. The Philadelphia Eagles Will Defeat the Green Bay Packers 27-13 in WC4.

12. The New England Patriots Will Defeat the Buffalo Bills 30-14 in the Divisional Round.

11. The Baltimore Ravens Will Defeat the San Diego Chargers 13-10 in the Divisional Round.

10. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the Dallas Cowboys 24-14 in the Divisional Round.

9. The Minnesota Vikings Will Defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17 in the Divisional Round.

8. The New England Patriots Will Defeat the Baltimore Ravens 28-20 in the AFC Championship Game.

7. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23-14 in the NFC Championship Game.

6. The Atlanta Falcons Will Defeat the New England Patriots 24-20 in Super Bowl XLIV.

5. Matt Ryan Will Be the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV.

4. Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson Will Be NFL Co-MVP’s.

3. Mike Smith Will Be NFL Coach of the Year.

2. Michael Vick Will Be On A Playoff NFL Roster When the Postseason Arrives.

1. The Top-3 NFL QB’s In Passing Yards Will Be Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Carson Palmer, With Matt Ryan In A Close 4th.

**Watch These Three First-Round Rookies:

1. Jason Smith, St. Louis Rams

2. Aaron Maybin, Buffalo Bills

3. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

As usual, this was extremely difficult due to the widespread talent of the NFL, and all of the teams that will surely contend this upcoming season.

I know that there will be many conflicting opinions, but that’s the beauty of sport. We all see things differently, but I can promise you one thing:

It will be settled on the field. Let’s get ready for some football!

 

Michael Vick- Welcome Back to Society

Today is a new day for a man looking for vindication; a soul-wrenching rehabilitation project for the ages on the horizon. An image is easy to tarnish, but isn’t nearly as easy to repair.

Nobody will know that struggle like Michael Vick in the coming months.

He isn’t the first public figure to face an uphill battle with the general public’s perception of him and his character, and what happens now all depends on his resilience.

He can take the route of one Kobe Bryant and do whatever it takes to make us see that he really is who we thought he was, or he can just make his image look more tarnished until we no longer have interest.

O.J. Simpson repeatedly made the wrong choices in trying to rehabilitate his reputation. Hell, Simpson just accepted the hate role and amplified it. Now he’s behind bars for stealing his own stuff. Serves him right.

Barry Bonds just kept ignoring the public and worse was just rude and invincible. Now Bonds remains the face of the Steroid Era and will always be the first name associated with it.

Players since who were convicted of steroids have came out and admitted their mistakes, and the public has lifted their clouds of ire and negative reaction.

Observe the return of Manny Ramirez from his 50-game suspension for taking a women’s fertility drug often used after steroid cycles.

Fans held up signs in support, and his Mannywood area in Dodgers Stadium was kept intact, and fans were lined up to be in it.

Had that been Bonds, he would’ve came to the game to find syringes piled up in his “Barrywood” section, and he would’ve been booed profusely.

All of this shows that we as a culture have forgetful, forgiving spirits. All you have to do is appear to care about your mistake and atone for it and we’re suckered right in.

If Vick wants to rehab his image and change our flawed perception of him, he has to start now. He’s served his time and paid his debt to society, regardless if we feel it’s enough or not.

He is now a free man, and we want to know, hear and feel his candor. We have to know that it’s okay to move on because the justice system has done its job.

After all, jail is not solely meant to punish individuals.

It’s also supposed to make them better people, and help them to become better contributors to society. All atrocities in jails aside, the system in jail is in place to help rehabilitate criminals.

One must assume that in a minimum security lockup as a former NFL star, Vick didn’t see the worst jail has to offer.

He doesn’t need to; going from making $130 million over the life of your contract to less than a dollar an hour is quite enough.

Vick needs to let us know that he knows that. In other words, we need to see that his stint as a convicted felon made the rational side of him the dominant side and that he doesn’t look to crime as pleasure.

I’m not an animal lover at the least, but I don’t want to see any living thing get tortured and killed, especially an animal as cognitive as a dog.

But one cannot hold grudges and resentment toward another man’s mistakes. All we can ask for is prosecution under the law in which we abide, and for the convicted to learn their lesson.

Vick has been through the first part. Now we want to see if the light has been screwed on in his head and heart.

Contrary to popular belief, Vick doesn’t have to do some cheesy PSA for PETA, or a public, camera ridden public apology. If Vick wants the public to believe in his reform, these are three things that can make him look sincere.

1. Talk About His Experiences In An On-Camera Interview With A Renowned TV Personality

As I mentioned, Vick does not need to give an impersonal, Manny Ramirez-like apology in front of all kinds of media. It gives off the smell of fakeness, and seems tailor-made to pacify the fans.

What is a better idea is sitting in front of a camera in a personal setting much like the way Alex Rodriguez did in front of Peter Gammons. Much as the public was angry at A-Rod, we respected his up close and personal approach.

Many people don’t respect Ramirez anyway for his prior antics, but feel even more negative towards him after that joke of a public apology.

Sitting down with someone like Rachel Nichols or Tom Jackson and answering harsh questions and handling them correctly will get him some great publicity for his impending reinstatement attempt to the NFL and some much needed respect.

2. Reaching Out to Other At-Risk Individuals

Vick would be a perfect candidate to speak at a future NFL symposium for rookies about engaging in harmful behavior.

People would listen to him simply based on what he has been through, and he could really help some people see the light before they make the mistake.

Our society loves to see fallen role-models or past criminals change and speak publicly about what they’ve been through. Vick can make a lot of people feel confident and able to carry out different choices to better impact their life experience.

This would also score him major points with the Commish, Roger Goodell.

3. Joining Some Organization Other Than PETA Promoting Healthy Treatment of Animals

Vick almost HAS to do something involving proper treatment of dogs or animals in a whole, and he needs to do something that isn’t so obvious.

Joining PETA would be difficult because of their solid stance unless he can convince them otherwise, but it will come off to us as a publicity stunt.

Their are plenty of these types of organizations out there, like The Animal Foundation and Animal Legal Defense Fund. If he reaches out to a group like this and not PETA, it will look great for him and not help promote PETA further.

This can be the first or last step in his comeback, but something that he should seriously consider doing.

 

I myself am happy to see Vick back in our society. He was my role-model on the field at one point, and my favorite player by far.

He’s paid his expensive debt to society, thus deserving to get a second chance at this one life we live.

We allow murderers and child-molesters back into the public around our children, and it is time for the hate against Vick to take a rest along with the 23-month sentence that is now behind Vick in every step he’s making.

Can Vick rehab his image and wear a NFL uniform again?

That my friend is up to Michael Dwayne Vick. Let’s at least clear our minds and give him the proper forum to do it.

We did it for Bryant and Judge Greg Mathis. Give the man his fair due. That’s the least we can do.

Will the AFC East Prove Too Tough for the Buffalo Bills?

The AFC East has historically been a very competitive division, but has seemingly been in a stranglehold by dominating teams for the last 20 years.

In the 1990s, the Buffalo Bills won the division four times and the New England Patriots won it twice, making it six out of 10 years going to those two teams.

The 2000s have been ruled by the Patriots, who have won six out of nine division titles, including five in a row until the Miami Dolphins dethroned them last season.

Even with the loss of Tom Brady in Week 1, the Patriots still nearly managed to win the division again with a 11-5 record under Matt Cassel.

What does all of this mean?

That Trent Edwards and that futile Bills offense has some work to do this season.

Brady will be back in Patriot grey, blue, and red this coming season, and the division is shaping up to be tough as ever.

With the arrival of controversial, mercurial wide-out Terrell Owens, the Bills have to wonder from the outset did they make the wrong decision bringing him into the huddle and locker room.

Fans and media alike will have a lifesize camera lens on the back of Owens, and his every move will be watched more than a “Friends” reunion.

Will he be the difference between a 7-9 season and a 10-6 playoff season?

That remains to be seen, but Owens has at least shown a little more commitment by showing up to the Bills voluntary workouts after the media annihilated him for not being there from the beginning.

That media attention and speculation was a foresight into what this season will mean for Owens, so he better be used to it.

For Buffalo, they need to prove to the world and themselves that they aren’t used to a losing culture and that they could make it interesting past Week 10 this season.

The question has never been the talent that shows up on Sunday and wears Bills blue.

Guys like Donte Whitner, Terrance McGee, Trent Edwards, Lee Evans, and Marshawn Lynch have proven that they can get it done on a pro level.

It’s what’s in the Bills hearts and mentalities that foster losing seasons. That mental edge is what the Bills lack, and one winning season may reverse that misfortune.

Being in a very tough division also hampers Buffalo’s efforts, but in today’s NFL, every division is tough except, well, the NFC West.

To have a fighter’s chance, Buffalo must conquer the AFC East. How possible is that in 2009?

Let’s look at the contestants and what they bring to the table in the division.

 

Contestant 1: Buffalo Bills – 2008: 7-9, fourth in division

Key Players- QB Trent Edwards, WR Terrell Owens, S Donte Whitner

The Bills have given their all to establish themselves as a dangerous team this coming season by upgrading their roster and ridding themselves of potential morale-murdering players.

Nonetheless, adding Owens is always a potential locker room fatality-like move, but the Bills are hoping his talent and expertise as a player will help develop young players while bringing his usual 75 reception, 1000 yard, 10 TD stats to Buffalo.

It was a calculated risk.

Much as it appears the Bills playoff hopes lie squarely on Owens’ shoulders, they don’t. Other guys like Edwards and Lee Evans have to stay healthy and play their parts.

If the core of Edwards, Evans, Owens, and Marshawn Lynch can remain healthy, the offense should be fine.

If one of them are hurt early or the Bills can’t sustain continuity due to Lynch’s three-game suspension or a morale issue, December could look quite familiar to Bills fans.

 

Bottom Line

I expect the Bills to be fine. They won’t win the AFC East, but they will contend and win 10 games in 2009.

Contestant 2: Miami Dolphins – 2008: 11-5, first in division

Key Players- QB Chad Pennington, RB Ronnie Brown, LB Joey Porter

Miami surprised the world last season by dethroning the juggernaut Patriots and winning the East. Pennington appeared to have starred in a new “Back to the Future” movie and the Wildcat offense put opposing teams in fits.

Can you say, “one-hit wonder?”

Simply put, it won’t happen again in sunny Florida. Chad is a year older, and the nature of the NFL has a way of exposing old, less mobile QB’s. Basically, if you aren’t named Brett Favre, injuries will likely slow you down.

Heck, even Favre had a shoulder issue that his bad play at the conclusion of 2008 was blamed on.

Defenses have had time to figure out the Wildcat formation, and you have to wonder when aging vet Ricky Williams will slow down.

The Dolphins are not solid on D, and a division that features a lot on offense will put up solid points against the Dolphins. That offense won’t be able to trade points and they’ll lose games.

A lot of them.

Bottom Line:

I don’t see the Dolphins making the playoffs, or even having a winning season in 2009. I say between four and seven wins.

Contestant 3: New York Jets – 2008: 9-7, third in division

Key Players: RB Thomas Jones, WR Jerricho Cotchery, CB Darrelle Revis

When Brett Favre fell into the Jets’ laps last summer, it was all the buzz about how the Jets may make the Super Bowl and be significantly improved.

It looked that way until Favre hit a brick wall and the Jets faltered down the stretch and missed the playoffs, resulting in players speaking out against the Hall-of-Famer.

Sometimes reaching into the cookie jar isn’t the best idea.

New York B reached into that jar again in the NFL Draft, trading up to get USC QB Mark Sanchez.

Fickle fans in New York expect him to transform the franchise immediately, but if history shows us anything, it’s that maybe that’s a bit much to ask.

What happened to Kellen Clemens?

He’s been lost in this all, and the Jets are a team in turmoil and nobody wants to admit it. They fell apart last season, released Favre who may be silly enough to be a purple people eater, drafted a hopeful rookie savior at QB, lost Laveranues Coles and fired Eric Mangini.

Reports are that Clemens will start, but will also know that if he just whiffs too hard, Sanchez will replace him.

How fun.

Bottom Line:

The Jets were an underachieving team before Favre got there, and just as they ended last season will be one again in 2009. Rebuilding time is underway for the men in green and white.

 

Contestant 4: New England Patriots – 2008: 11-5, second in division

Key Players: QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss, NT Vince Wilfork

Brady is back will be the theme in Foxboro for 2009, and his return from major knee surgery will completely hold the fate of this team.

Bill Belichick has been historically the best coach with the least to work with, and he and his staff had a great year out of back-up Matt Cassel last season.

Unfortunately for Bill, Cassel now wears Kansas City Chiefs colors and Brady’s back-up is Matt Gutierrez. Who?

Exactly.

So what does it all mean for New England? It means trouble for the NFL once again and this division in particular.

Brady has been arguably the best signal-caller of the decade and his ride isn’t quite over yet. With a good O-line in front of him, Moss and Wes Welker to throw to, a healthy Laurence Maroney and Adalius Thomas on D, the Pats are still scary.

Scary enough to ascend to the top of the AFC East in 2009. New England showed us in 2008 that the championship pedigree that exists in Boston can still power them to success.

Buffalo will give the Patriots some problems, and take one of their division match-ups next season, but ultimately the Pats season will rely on the knee of T.B, and he should be fine.

Bottom Line:

The Patriots will win the division for the sixth time in seven years with a 11- to 12-win season, but Buffalo will break their nearly decade absence from the postseason with a 10-6 record.

And that, my friend, isn’t the product of wishful thinking. At least I don’t think so.

Comparing The 1990 Buffalo Bills to Last Year’s Pittsburgh Steelers

Just looking at the picture of No. 12 in vintage Buffalo Bill gear brings back many good memories for Bills fans across the country.

That very same picture also causes upset stomach’s and heartache for those same fans.

In the early 1990’s, the Bills were a staple in football’s coveted game, the Super Bowl. In the first of 4 straight Super Bowl losses, the Bills established themselves as a NFL powerhouse in a small market.

The same franchise that produced legends like the world’s most hated pariah O.J Simpson and the beloved QB Jack Kemp, who recently passed away had ascended once again to the polaris of football glory.

The Buffalo Bills of the early 90’s were also arguably the best Bills team ever assembled, and every skill position was covered well.

Five Hall Of Famer’s including Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, five divisional titles in six years, numerous accolades and a legion of loyal fans.

It’s easy to forget the accomplishments and victories of the 1990 Bills squad because of the current streak of futility plaguing the franchise.

Currently the Bills are trying to endure a 9-year playoff absence after a heartbreak loss to the Titans in 1999 in what’s now called the Music City Miracle, and have had 4 losing seasons in a row.

After a promising start of 5-1 last season, QB Trent Edwards went down and the Bills sunk with him. When he returned from a concussion, he never looked the same and Buffalo finished 2-8.

In a shrinking economy, talk began to surface that the Bills may end up moving, namely to Toronto, and now one home game a season is played in Canada.

The Bills fans remain loyal to the team despite their recent frugal efforts, and the Bills sold out every home game in 2008.

Maybe it’s partially the memory of the 1990’s Bills that keep the fans hoping and waiting for the day when their Bills will be at the forefront of the NFL landscape again.

In many ways, the 1990 Bills made Buffalo a household team and one that was considered a contender and garnered respect from the entire world of football observers.

Position by position, the 1990 Bills were far above their opposition and if it weren’t for the infamous placekicker Scott Norwood, the score would’ve been 22-20 and not 20-19.

To understand how dominant the 1990 Bills were, here’s a comparison to the current Super Bowl champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers by skill position.

The results may just shock you a little.

 

Quarterbacks- Jim Kelly vs. Ben Roethlisberger

James Edward Kelly, better known as Jim Kelly was drafted in 1983 by the Buffalo Bills, but played in the USFL instead because of poor attendance. He joined the Bills in 1986, and the legend began.

Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in the much hyped 2004 NFL Draft 11th by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger wasted no time stamping his winning attitude and persistence on the franchise, going 13-0 as a rookie.

Roethlisberger lead Pittsburgh to Super Bowl XL and a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in one of the most controversially refereed Super Bowl’s of all time. Ben didn’t play particularly well, but his team had his back, namely MVP Hines Ward.

Ben also lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl win last season, and his throw to the corner of the end zone to Santonio Holmes will be a play that will go down in championship history.

Kelly lead the Bills to 4 straight Super Bowl appearances, all losses including a 20-19 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV.

Jim Kelly’s 1990 stats- 14 games, 219/346 (63%), 2829 yds., 24 TD, 9 INT, 101.2 rat.

Ben Roethlisberger’s 2008 stats- 16 games, 281/469 (60%), 3301 yds., 17 TD, 15 INT, 80.1 rat.

Kelly played two less games than Big Ben, but had better stats across the board besides yards, which he would’ve been much closer to if he’d played those two other games.

-Advantage Buffalo

 

Running Backs- Thurman Thomas vs. Willie Parker

Thurman Thomas was a 2nd round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills, in which he slipped because of a knee injury. Willie Parker arrived to Pittsburgh as a free agent out of the University of North Carolina.

Last season Parker’s season was shortened by injury, as he ran for 791 yards on 210 carries in 11 games. His performance in the Super Bowl wasn’t substantial as the running game wasn’t focused on by the Steelers against Arizona’s defense.

Thomas turned out to be a complete stud for the Bills, rushing for 1297 yards and 11 TD’s in 1990 and catching for 532 yards and 2 TD’s.

Thomas ran for 135 yards on 15 carries and had 5 receptions for 55 yards in his Super Bowl loss to the Giants. Although Parker still has years in front of him in his career, he’s no Thurman Thomas.

-Advantage Buffalo

 

Wide Receivers- James Lofton and Andre Reed vs. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes

James Lofton and Andre Reed became Hall of Fame receivers for the Bills with great hands and route running in the No huddle offense.

Hines Ward emerged as Roethlisberger’s favorite target, while Holmes has matured and seems to be the heir to the aging Ward.

Lofton was aging when he arrived in Buffalo after 9 seasons in Green Bay. In 1990 he caught 35 balls for 712 yards and 4 TD’s. Reed was a consistent air threat for Buffalo and had 71 catches for 945 yards and 8 TD’s.

Ward was an established veteran receiver in 2008, and was known for his toughness. He caught 81 balls for 1043 yards and 7 TD’s. Holmes was a young upstart with mounds of potential out of Ohio State in ’08.

In his 3rd season, Holmes caught 55 balls for 821 yards and 5 TD’s, including a spectacular game-winning TD catch in Super Bowl 43.

Combined, Reed and Lofton had 106 receptions for 1657 yards, while Holmes and Ward had 136 receptions 1864 yards. Production edge slightly goes to the Steelers.

-Advantage Pittsburgh

 

Defenses

Despite Ben Roethlisberger not having a huge statistical year, the Steelers still managed to pull off a Super Bowl victory last season. Why?

Great defense.

The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers thrived on defensive intensity. They were ranked No. 1 in points and yards given, and boasted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year LB James Harrison, who made the game changing play of Super Bowl 43.

Harrison had 101 tackles, 16 sacks and 7 forced fumbles. LB James Farrior had 133 tackles, 4 sacks and 1 forced fumble. SS Troy Polamalu had 73 tackles and 7 interceptions, and the accomplishments of the Steelers D were immense.

The 1990 Bills weren’t shabby on defense, either. Hall of Fame DE Bruce Smith had 101 tackles and 19 sacks in 1990. LB Cornelius Bennett had 96 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

The 1990 Bills didn’t pick off many balls, but caused turnovers by forcing fumbles. On the other hand, Pittsburgh caused havoc by rushing the QB and picking up huge chunks of loss yardage.

1990 Buffalo ended the regular season ranked No. 6 in defense respectively, while the 2008 Steelers were ranked No. 1. Both units were good, but the Steelers hold an edge.

-Advantage Pittsburgh

 

Intangibles

The 1990 Bills were NFL Icons and ahead of their time. Nobody knew that they would emerge from small Buffalo to be a 4-time AFC Conference Champion and go to four consecutive Super Bowls.

Good as that sounds, they loss them all.

Despite that fact, the 1990 Bills will always be remembered for their finesse on offense, no-huddle approach and team full of talented players.

The 2008 Steelers bullied their way past opposing teams, beating them up defensively and scoring just enough points to win.

They will be remembered for their defensive toughness and iconic QB, Big Ben Roethlisberger. Also, that catch by Santonio Holmes in the 4th quarter.

Nevertheless, that is reminiscent of the 2007 New York Giants that captivated all audiences with their astronomical upset of the undefeated New England Patriots one-year earlier.

Thus, the 1990 Bills will always be a staple in fans minds for what they accomplished in their glory days of the NFL.

-Advantage Buffalo

 

Hopefully the Bills return to prominence in 2009 because great as the 1990 Buffalo Bills were, fans need new memories to hang their football fan-hood onto.

But for now we remember the titans, or in this case the Jim Kelly led legendary Buffalo Bills, my favorite Buffalo Bills team of all-time.

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