CHARGERS SCOUTING REPORT: Buffalo Bills
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
Kickoff: 10 a.m. Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Series: The Chargers lead 21-11-2. The Chargers defeated the Bills 24-21 on Dec. 3, 2006 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the most recent meeting.
Player to watch: QB Trent Edwards
Talk about draft steals. Five quarterbacks were chosen before the Bills took Edwards (92nd overall) in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft, and the former Stanford standout is not only outperforming them all, but only one of those five is a starter (Oakland's JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick). Perhaps you recall the names Brady Quinn (first round to Cleveland) and second-round picks Kevin Kolb (Philadelphia), John Beck (Miami) and Drew Stanton (Detroit). Edwards replaced JP Losman as the starter early in the 2007 season and has shown no signs of ever giving up the job. He has completed 66.4 percent of his passes this season for 948 yards and four touchdowns. His current percentage is higher than Bills legend Jim Kelly (64.1 in 1991 was his high) ever completed in a season. He has also thrown just 10 interceptions in 391 career attempts. When the game has been on the line, Edwards has been even better, posting a fourth-quarter passing rating of 136.6 (second-best in the NFL) this season. Edwards suffered a concussion on Oct. 5 against Arizona, but is on track to play against the Chargers.
Offense
Fifth-year WR Lee Evans is one of the most feared big-play receivers in the NFL. Evans is averaging 27.0 yards per catch (second best in the NFL) and has 432 yards on just 16 receptions. He has six career touchdown receptions of 70 or more yards, tops of any current NFL player. He already ranks seventh in Bills' history with 4,159 career receiving yards. WR Josh Reed leads the Bills with 21 receptions. RB Marshawn Lynch hasn't posted a 100-yard rushing game this season after accumulating three as a rookie in 2007. His high game this year is 83 yards against Oakland. Lynch has 319 yards but is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. LT Jason Peters, a Pro Bowl selection last season, anchors the Bills' offensive line.
Defense
DE Aaron Schobel doesn't receive a lot of national publicity, but is one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL. Schobel, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has 52 sacks since 2003 ---- second most behind Washington's Jason Taylor ---- and he ranks second in Bills history with 68 sacks. Only the legendary Bruce Smith (171) has more. DT Marcus Stroud can plug a ground game all by himself. He has also deflected four passes this season. WLB Paul Posluszny has posted a team-leading 46 tackles, while SLB Kawika Mitchell has contributed 27 stops. Hard-hitting SS Donte Whitner (30 tackles this season) topped 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons after being the eighth overall pick of the 2006 NFL draft. CB Terrence McGee has two of Buffalo's three interceptions, but suffered a knee injury during the Bills' most recent game on Oct. 5 and hasn't returned to practice. McGee led the Bills with four interceptions last season.
Noteworthy
The Bills lead the AFC East with a 4-1 record, their best start since 1999 when they last advanced to postseason play. ... K Rian Lindell hasn't missed an extra point in his eight-year NFL career. His streak of 261 consecutive extra points is fifth best in NFL history. ... Roscoe Parrish led the NFL in punt-return average last season (16.3) and ranks second (15.2) this season. However, he recently underwent thumb surgery and may not be able to field punts on Sunday. ... Backup C Duke Preston played at Mt. Carmel High. His father, Ray, played nine seasons (1976-84) with the Chargers. â€- Practice squad DL Corey Mace played at Palomar College. ... Starting MLB Keith Ellison began his college career at San Diego State before transferring to a junior college and later to Oregon State.
---- Mike Sullivan
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BoltBacker65 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:32 AM:Gotta give the Bills credit for improving their fortunes this season. They have a winning record so far. And with so many teams plagued with injuries, the teams with the least injured starters should fare better. However, I'm not so convinced they are as good as the media presents them.
The Bills have only played against two opponents with winning records to date- the Cardinals (4-1) and the Patriots (3-2). Their opponents total win/loss record is 12-14. The only team they and the Chargers have played in common and is Oakland and each team beat them, San Diego by 10 (28-18) at Oakland and Buffalo by 1 (34-33) at home.
The Bolts on the other hand have played against 4 teams with winning records-Carolina (4-1), Denver (4-2), Jets (3-2) and Pats (3-2). Their opponents total win/loss record is 17-15.
Let us not forget that outside of their own division the Bills do have the lighter schedule, no disrespect intended to either the Bills or their opponents. No game is a given and just because you're favored to win doesnt'a automatically give you the victory.
Let's just hope that Norv and Cottrell have prepped their strategy accordingly so that the Chargers' D can contain Trent Edwards and harrass him enough to get him off his passing game and stuff the run.
Good-luck and Go Bolts
Boltpacker69 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:31 AM:Well it looks like the Chargers better be ready, We don't have Drew Breeze anymore. We have to deal with Rivers and his hot and cold games. Should be ok if he plays like last week. Will someone just sit lt out for a week or two. I think the Bills might beat the Chargers this week, then a long haul to London to face the best QB in the NFL.
Pack this wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:15 AM:Rivers; TDs 14 INTs 4 Brees; TDs 12 INTs 6 both are conference leders & both teams losses are by a total of 10 pts Both are 3-3.
BuffaloBacker wrote on Oct 15, 2008 4:51 PM:Just so you know the Bills haven't played the patriots....seahawks,raiders,rams, cardinals, and Jaguars..... get your stats right before you bash the Bills please.....anyway should be a good game this weekend...i look forward to it
Jimbo wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:44 PM:Winning in SD is easy, winning in Buffalo is tough. We need LT back to normal. We can't rely on a streaky Rivers throwing bombs...not a long term strategy. This is a must win because the Saints are gaining momentum. Colston is supposed to be back and maybe Shockey, too. Brees is on roll and is nearly unstoppable. We will need LT to chew up the clock.
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