2007: A Season in Review - Center/Guard

Melvin Fowler 

The man in the middle for two seasons now in Buffalo has been Melvin Fowler.  Although he hasn’t been anything to write home about, he hasn’t been anything to write home about either.  In summary, what you don’t notice is probably a good thing.  Fowler was part of a unit that was widely criticized in 2006, however he was the only player along with tackle Jason Peters that returned for the 2007 season; a season where the offensive line improved vastly.  It could be stated that the only reason Fowler was brought back, was due to the money spent elsewhere.  However, it could also be said that Fowler was steady enough to warrant his return.  I believe it to be a bit of both.  Fowler is an intelligent player, who uses his mind more than his muscle when on the football field.  This is important, because there are times when his muscle is not enough.  If you look at the problem areas the offensive line had this year, the one that stood out the most was short yardage situations.  Again, the Bills struggled to move the chains in these situations, and many times it was because there was simply not enough push coming from the big man in the middle.

2008 Status: Under contract, will return

Reality Check:  Fowler is not an elite starting center, and if the Bills had the opportunity, as well as the financial means to improve at his position, I believe they would.  That said, with so many other glaring needs, Fowler is an adequate player that brings very good veteran leadership.  I believe the Bills are satisfied for now, and I don’t see a change at the center position in 2008.

2007 Report Card:  B-

Derrick Dockery 

The big offseason acquisition helped solidify an offensive line that was in desperate need of help.  In terms of dollars, Dockery was the biggest free-agent signing for the Bills last year, and for the most part he lived up to his end of the bargain.  As I cited in Fowler’s review, Dockery was part of an offensive line that improved drastically from season’s past, and was probably the lynchpin in that equation.  Rarely, if at all, do I recall Dockery being blown of the ball, or missing a key block at a crucial time in any given game.  His size and strength make him a great run blocker, and it is my belief that he and Lynch will have a wonderful career together for many years.  Moreover, I believe that along with Jason Peters, the left side of the Bills offensive line will likely be set for years to come.

2008 Status:  Under contract, will return

Reality Check:  Dockery is without question an elite NFL guard. However, the Bills did pour a great deal of money into his cup, and that type of money is rarely given to a guard.  Therefore, realistically speaking, Dockery will need to play the same type of football next year, if not show a bit of improvement despite having a very good year in 2007.

2007 Report Card: A-

Brad Butler  

Butler was given the starting right guard position out of training camp, beating out Duke Preston and Jason Whittle for the job.  What I like most about Butler is his tenacity and temper.  Word spread like wildfire that during training camp, Butler was a very feisty opponent, and was willing to “drop the gloves” with anyone.  That type of passion and, well, insanity is something that has been missing on the Bills’ offensive line since Jim Ritcher was alleged to have eaten worms during a game to gross out opponents.  Butler, like all of his colleagues on the interior line, started all 16 games in 2007.  On a team with so many injuries, it was nice to have a group of durable players at such key positions.  Again, the numbers speak for themselves, and Butler was a part of a very solid season for the offensive line.

2008 Status:  Under contract, will return

Reality Check:  Although not upper echelon, Butler is a more than adequate guard.  In fact, dollar for dollar he had possibly one of the best seasons in the NFL in 2007.  No, that is not an overstatement – remember, dollar for dollar.  He was very consistent, and will remain so on an offensive line that I believe has finally turned the corner.

2007 Report Card:  B-

Duke Preston  

Preston was believed to be the front-runner for the starting right guard position this season, but lost his job to 2^nd year man Brad Butler.  Coming out of college, Preston was sought for his reportedly high intellect, and this is why the Bills brought him in.  That said, when given the opportunities to play in recent years, he hasn’t lived up to the billing, and it is likely that Butler’s strong play in the preseason simply opened more eyes to his inept starting ability.  Nevertheless, Preston can play any interior line position, and was a center at Illinois during his college career.  His versatility and intelligence make him a valuable asset in regards to playing in a back-up role.

2008 Status:  Under contract, however he will need to work hard to make the team, depending on who is brought in via free agency and the draft.

Reality Check:  Preston is an asset in terms of versatility and depth.  However, his type of player can be replaced easily through free agency and/or the draft.  I believe Preston will have a real fight on his hands to remain on the roster next season.

2007 Report Card: Incomplete

Jason Whittle  

When the Bills inked Whittle last offseason, my suspicion that Buffalo were obsessed with journeymen offensive-linemen who can play more than one position became nearly official.  This of course was before the signing of Dockery and Walker.  Nevertheless, Whittle was touted as a very good interior line player, who, like Preston, could play either the center or guard position.  Whittle however, never got much of a chance, having his season cut very short with an injury that landed him on IR.

2008 Status: Unsigned, unlikely to return

Reality Check:  In light of the fact that I don’t expect him to return, the fact that he is not a strong enough candidate to start in Buffalo, leads me to believe that he will have a difficult time finding a starting spot somewhere else in the league.  Like I said in his review, he is a journeyman depth player.

2007 Report Card: Incomplete

Overall Center/Guards  

As I’ve stated on numerous occasions throughout this review, this unit improved drastically in the 2007 campaign.  The addition of Dockery, and the emergence of Butler really solidified the middle of the Bills offensive line.  I don’t like them as much as the tackles, but they are very good nonetheless.  This was a unit that helped Marshawn Lynch gain over 1,100 yards in only 13 games, as well as finish 9^th in the NFL in rushing yards, and tied for 8^th in yards per attempt.  It’s difficult to really breakdown the roles of centers and guards, but the fact that there were no real glaring problems tells me a lot.  Like a cornerback, if not noticed, they are doing their job.

Overall Grade: B

Necessary Additions:  Again, if an affordable center with some experience was available, I would have no problem replacing Fowler.  However, it is not as imperative as other areas of concern.  As for the future, I would love to see the Bills use a mid-round pick on a pure center that could possibly develop into a starter over the next couple of seasons.  I am impressed with Butler, and don’t see any need to replace him.  Dockery’s contract speaks for itself.  In regards to depth, you can never have enough quality back-ups at the offensive line position.

Key Free Agents: Alan Faneca (G), Pittsburgh; Jeff Faine (C), New Orleans; Jake Scott (G), Indianapolis; Jeremy Newberry(C), Oakland; Casey Wiegmann (C), Kansas City

Top Draft Prospects:  John Sullivan (C), Notre Dame; George Robinson (G), Oklahoma; Jeremy Perry (G), Oregon State; Jonathan Luigs (C), Arkansas; Adam Spieker (C), Missouri

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