SFL Madden 2019 Team Preview: Buffalo Bills

by LBzrule57 | 6 years ago | 0 Comments

 

The Buffalo Bills made the playoffs twice last cycle (season 1 Wild Card; Season 4 Wild Card).  It was a tale of older players departing after season 1 and the search for a franchise signal caller, who never came home.  The team never found a franchise signal caller but built a strong roster that finally competed strong in season 4 ending with a 13-3 season record.

 

This cycle the team does not have to deal with the struggles of finding a franchise signal caller, however, they will have to find pieces to place around him.  Rookie Josh Allen looks to be the Bills Field General throughout the 19 cycle.

 

Allen brings two qualities to the Bills offense.  First, he has the strongest arm in the game.  While this may not mean much in distance, the hope is that it is quite significant in terms of velocity so that Allen can put the football in spaces that other passers like his teammates McCarron and Peterman, cannot.  Second, Allen has a little bit of get up and go to him arriving out of the box at an 81 speed.  

 

The Bills owned one of the SFL's top defenses in every season last cycle.  The team hopes to keep that tradition alive in the new cycle.

 

Coaching:

Under Coach LBzrule, the Bills had two playoff appearances last cycle.  The defense always outshines the offense.  The offense will need to play a hell of a lot better to give the defense a chance to win some game.  Luckily for the coach, he's not in the market for a franchise signal caller.  The team is going to have to tone down the propensity for the big play on offense and play to the strength of the roster.

Rating:  7

 

Quarterbacks:

As stated, Josh Allen has the strongest arm in the game along with a little mobility to move the chains.  Outside of Allen there is nothing to write home about with Peterman, who carried the Bills last cycle, and McCarron, who's arm is weak at an 86 throw power.  Allen will need to improve his accuracy and is the rookie 1st rd QB with the steepest ladder to climb.

 

Rating:  6.5

 

Running Backs:

The Bills will use a two back rotation with LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory.  The team has to hope that McCoy remains available.  Right now he's being penciled in as the starter until things change.  McCoy is the team's best running back and he's the best weapon the team has on offense.  He'll be 30 when the game ships so the team will need to begin looking for a replacement soon.  McCoy can do it all of this team.  He's their leading rusher and receiver which says a lot if he cannot play.

Ivory hasn't played in a full season, however, his Madden ratings are still solid and can provide the Bills with the power attack that compliments what McCoy does in making defenders miss.  Fullback Patrick D'Marco has been downgraded significantly with respect to blocking.  He can still catch the football out of the backfield and help move the chains.

Rating:  7

 

Receivers:

The Bills have one go-to target in Kelvin Benjamin.  However, Benjamin is not a downfield target that puts fear in defenses.  The team is waiting and hoping that Zay Jones can bounce back from a sub-par rookie campaign and take over and be the all around target that threatens defenses at every level.  There are a couple of promising rookies in Ray Ray McCloud and Austin Proehl who are more quick that flat out fast that might develop into something. 

Tight End Charles Clay gives this unit a boost and there is some speed with Logan Thomas that needs to find a way on the field.

Rating: 5

 

Offensive Line:

The Bills Offensive line is a work in progress as they lost three starters from the last cycle.  Center Eric Wood and LG Richie Incognito both retired.  Cordy Glenn was traded to the Bengals.  Thus the OL is pretty much a new unit and will have to gel very quickly.  LT Dion Dawkins is the lone bright spot on this unit.  There are some diamonds in the rough on the depth chart that may get a chance to play early.

Rating:  4.5

 

Defensive Linemen:

With Marcel Dareus gone to Jacksonville, the Bills will be a pure 43 team this cycle relying on Star Lotulelei to anchor the middle.  Kyle Williams will give the Bills 1 season until rookie Harrison Phillips is ready to take over.  Adolphus Washington is a mere backup. 

The Bills have a bevy of edge rushers who can set the edge vs the run and who can run the arc on passing downs.  This is a deep unit and there is a competition to see who gets to remain on the roster.

 

Rating:  7.5

 

Linebackers:

The Bills replaced two of their three starting linebackers.  Gone is slow as molasses Preston Brown and Ramon Humber has taken a special teams/depth role.  Rookie Tremaine Edmunds will replace Brown at the Mike linebacker position and 2nd year player Matt Milano will fill in for Humber at weak side linebacker.  Lorenzo Alexander will remain at strong side linebacker and play in the sub package as a pass rusher.

Rating:

6.5

Secondary:

This is the strongest area on the Bills roster.  This group can help any defensive coordinator excel in whatever he wants to run. 

 

Free Safety Micah Hyde is one of top centerfielders in Madden 19. 

 

SS Jordan Poyer brings an excellent skill set to play the run and the pass. 

2nd year CB Tre'Davious White made a big jump in ratings and was seen flying all over the field in mini camps.

The Bills will have a new starter opposite of White, namely, Vontae Davis.  They will also groom rookie Taron Johnson to eventually take over the slot position or Davis' spot.

Rating:  9

 

In the Spotlight: 

 

If the Bills are going to make the playoffs with this roster then it's all going to fall on the legs of McCoy unless Allen and the WR's can show teams that they need to be respected.

 

Outlook:

If the Bills are going to make anything happen in Season 1 of the SFL then Allen is going to have to step up as a passer and the passing game itself is going to require that coach LBzrule bring more creativity given the OL and the WR's.

Season 1 Prediction:  9-7