- How much better will Drew Bledsoe make the Bills?
We´ll employ the words usually uttered by Bills general manager Tom Donahoe -- "We´re getting better" -- to describe the team´s condition in 2002. Certainly much of the improvement, and a lot of the offseason buzz surrounding this team, was created by the trade for Bledsoe. But we aren´t ready to anoint the Bills a playoff team yet, because this remains a very young squad.
Let´s not forget Bledsoe is coming off a season in which he played just two games. How much better he makes the Bills might be a function of how well a young and still unsettled offensive line performs this season. No doubt Buffalo´s wide receivers will benefit from the presence of Bledsoe. But most important is that Bledsoe, who became a great team leader his last few seasons in New England, will galvanize the Bills in the locker room. The divisiveness that existed in the past, and the lack of confidence in Rob Johnson that stymied the team, should be exorcised. We see the Bills as still a year away, but improving to about 8-8.
- Outlook for 2002:
Talking playoffs for a team that won just three games last season seems a little absurd. But based on their offseason, the Bills are close to being a playoff-caliber team. With Bledsoe in the fold and players such as wide receivers Eric Moulds and Peerless Price and Fletcher, the Bills are certainly a team on the rise. Going from the basement to the playoffs might be too tall an order. However, expecting eight wins is reasonable.
