Buffalo Bills
Turk Schonert - Promoted to OC from QB Coach
Unfortunately for Bills fans, neither Jim Kelly nor Thurman Thomas nor Andre Reed are coming out of that tunnel. And with Dick Jauron still overseeing the proceedings Schonert won’t be implementing the attack huddle or even moving the needle to the other side of conservative. What Schonert, who has spent 12 years serving as quarterbacks coach for five different teams—including two stints with the Bills, is doing is tailoring the offense to the strengths of second-year quarterback Trent Edwards. That means more three-step drops and quick passes to take advantage of Edwards’ accuracy; it will also put more pressure on the receiving corps to generate YAC, something the trio of Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, and Josh Reed did quite poorly (a combined 3.8 yards after each catch) last season. The addition of 6-foot-6 James Hardy will help, as will getting the ball into the hands of their speedy smurfs sooner to allow them to make plays. After spending last season working extensively with Edwards, Schonert will give him the freedom to audible this year as well.
You can also expect the tight end, nonexistent in recent Buffalo game plans, and backs to be more involved in the passing game as well. With little tight end talent on the roster, the Bills may turn to Hardy to fill some of the same duties—specifically as a checkdown for the young quarterback. And Schonert has already indicated Marshawn Lynch will be on the field in more third-down situations, assuming he’s not in a courtroom answering to hit-and-run allegations. Buffalo will still be run-first—good news to those banking on Lynch to produce first-round-worthy fantasy numbers—and the plan is to incorporate a fullback into the game plan as well; last season Buffalo mainly used tight ends as H-backs, and that’s the personnel they’re still working with.
Ultimately the changes in Buffalo’s offense will be subtle, with Schonert and Edwards learning together—one as a first-time coordinator, the other in his first full season as an NFL starter. Outside of a heavier load being placed on Lynch’s shoulders, that doesn’t bode particularly well for an immediate fantasy impact.
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