Buffalo under new management, still faces same old problems
It’s been 17 seasons since the Buffalo Bills made it to the playoffs. And based on the key players from last year’s squad and the team’s lack of activity in free agency, that streak isn’t likely to stop in 2017 even if new head coach Sean McDermott’s plan to reshape the culture hits home in a big way.
Gone is leading tackler Zach Brown, leading interceptions man Stephon Gilmore, the team’s next-best cover man, Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety Aaron Williams. Gone also is the team’s most reliable receiver the past few years, Robert Woods.
The one big move the Bills made was signing safety Micah Hyde to a five-year deal worth up to $30.5 million. But in no way, shape or form will that move get Buffalo over the hump, especially in light of the players they lost or released.
General manager Doug Whaley did make a smart decision, aided by the new coaching staff, to retain quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
But there is so much work left to do on the rest of the roster, mostly to stock the offensive skill positions and make the defense into a unit capable of at least slowing down Tom Brady. And given the team’s salary-cap situation, it must be done via the draft, which has been extremely sketchy for the Bills many years running.