In one quick year, former head coach Marv Levy has begun overhauling the Buffalo roster. This is a look at what he's done so far and moves he could still make.
He brought them to four Super Bowls as a head coach. He has the 11th most wins all-time as a head coach in the NFL. Now, Buffalo Bills fans are putting their faith in Marv Levy as he attempts to rebuild a struggling franchise.
He took over in January 2006 and immediately made his imprint by signing new head coach Dick Jauron.
Last April he made another stunning move, staying in the eighth overall spot in the draft and taking Ohio State Donte Whitner. The move was criticized by a number of draft pundits, but when Whitner played well in 15 appearances it seemed that Levy had found the personnel magic again. The rookie safety played in 15 games, recorded 106 tackles an interception and four pass deflections. Along with Ko Simpson, Ashton Youboty and Terrence McGee, Whitner is part of a very young, talented secondary.
This off season, Levy has not shied from the spotlight. He continued the massive overhaul by trading arguably the team’s best player, running back Willis McGahee, to Baltimore for two third round draft picks and a seventh round pick. He also let cornerback Nate Clements and linebacker London Fletcher-Baker leave as free agents for San Francisco and Washington respectively. The Bills also traded starting middle linebacker Takeo Spikes, along with backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb, to the Eagles for defensive tackle Darwin Walker.
The Bills are still counting on former first round draft pick J.P. Losman to develop into a quality starting quarterback. He has the athleticism necessary to play the position, but he needs to work on the cerebral part of the game. Without McGahee to lean on, the passing game will have to be a bigger part of the game plan.
This off season, to help Losman and whatever running back starts this season in Buffalo, Levy concentrated on revamping the offensive line. The team signed guard Derrick Dockery, tackle Langston Walker and versatile lineman Jason Whittle. Now, after finishing 7 – 9 last season, Buffalo has the 12th pick in the draft.
There are a number of directions Levy could go with the pick depending on who is available. Running back and linebacker are two need positions. A trade up for Adrian Peterson would excite the Bills faithful in Orchard Park; and it is possible with the extra picks acquired from Baltimore. Buffalo will probably stay at 12 and select whoever is available between running back Marshawn Lynch from California, corner back Leon Hall from Michigan or Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis. Its also possible Levy could throw another curveball and draft a player with a slightly lower first round grade he thinks will be more productive as he did last season with Whitner. Possibilities for that plan include Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Whatever the Bills decide to do, Levy has the support of Buffalo fans. He earned their respect in the ‘90s, going to four straight Super Bowls, the question fans have now is: Can he do it from the front office?
