Commentary
Do Bills fans have reason for hope?
CHRIS GORDON Orchard Park Editor
Every year a team emerges that is a surprise in the National Football League. In recent times, it has been squads such as the San Diego Chargers and New York Jets that came out of nowhere to become playoff teams.

The league is always evolving so what may seem to be a difficult schedule - such as the one slated for the Buffalo Bills this season - may not be as bad as first feared.

In the AFC, there are two teams that stand out above everyone else: the defending Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts and the class of the AFC East, the New England Patriots, who have won three titles this decade and, on paper, are stockpiled for another possible championship run.

The third team that seems like a given to contend for a Super Bowl bid would be the Chargers, with all-everything running back LaDainian Tomlinson and emerging star Philip Rivers at quarterback. But after going 14-2 last year, a coaching change to Norv Turner - a sub .500 coach - has to leave Chargers fans with some doubt.

After that, it is anyone's guess. One thing for sure that a team on the rise needs is a solid signal caller. This is a big year for J.P. Losman of the Bills. He's no longer "essentially a rookie," with a suspect offensive line. It is a season which may determine his long-term future in Buffalo. Fortunately, he has the makings of a terrific line in front of him.

Veterans such as wide receiver Eric Moulds and running back Willis McGahee are gone but, with the emergence of wide receiver Lee Evans, the Evans-Losman duo is the undisputed leader of an offensive attack that emerged as a consistent threat in the second half of 2006.

The Bills can put points on the board. Buffalo is a team with young talent on both sides of the ball that could be this year's surprise squad.

They also possess perhaps the best all-around special teams unit in the game. Terrence McGee can return a kickoff a long way at any time and Roscoe Parrish is always a threat to go the distance. Punter Brian Moorman can put opposing offenses in poor starting positions and Rian Lindell has emerged as a clutch kicker.

Defense is the key. While many believe the losses of cornerback Nate Clements, and linebackers Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher-Baker, hurt the team, they were ranked near the bottom in 2005 and 2006. And from 2003 to 2006 (the four years they played together), the team's record was 27-37 with no playoff appearance. Can it get any worse?

So, what about the rest of the AFC?

Can Pittsburgh bounce back with a new coach and can Ben Roethisberger put an injury-plagued and ineffective 2006 campaign behind him and start fresh?

Can Chad Pennington stay healthy for the Jets?

Perennial playoff contender Kansas City will have a new signal caller in either second-year man Brodie Croyle or veteran journeyman Damon Huard, with former incumbent Trent Green now in Miami. Will either be able to get the job done?

Will the aging Baltimore Ravens, with often-injured Steve McNair, have one more run?

Are the Broncos a playoff contender with second year man Jay Cutler at quarterback?

If you ask me, there is reason for Buffalo Bills fans to be optimistic as the 2007-08 season begins.