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As the calendar turns to August and the games inch closer to being a reality, the magnifying glass on the Bills begins to increase. Currently the Bills have 4 “big” positions that are being contested – Quarterback, Guard, Right Tackle and Safety.
We’re going to look at the four position battles – with a few thoughts from watching the first four days of camp in person – and I’ll throw my two cents as to where I think the wind is blowing for each spot. Because Greg Roman and Dennis Thurman requested that video of the practices not get out via media – I didn’t want to be a noodge, so unfortunately none of my vine-y goodness for this one.
Quarterback
The Players: EJ Manuel, Matt Cassel, Tyrod Taylor…and Matt Sims.
Pre Camp Visit: Going into training camp, especially with word out during the end of spring ball that Cassel was struggling, I was betting on Manuel emerging and pushing through to be the starter. The pressure truly is only on him – Cassel can always be a “vet mentor” either in Buffalo or elsewhere and because Taylor has yet to have a starting job he’s the elusive “unknown” that will drive fans crazy with the desire to see him play. Manuel as the first round “savior” either emerges, or will be viewed as a bust and many (my editor included) will want him fired into the sun.
Post Camp Visit: Holy cow. Seeing them in person, each quarterback would be ok while the other two were meh, but there wasn’t a consistency as to who was the ok QB. After watching them I’d say it was Cassel (merely because he got most 1st team reps), Manuel with Taylor moving up. Simms has a strong arm but he was all over the place at times. I will also say for my sanity’s sake missing First Take at camp was a gift from God.
Between the live-tweeting and watching drills it got real. I mean it really escalated fast. I thought we as a fanbase were aware that the quarterback situation was going to be in flux and were okay dealing with it. Now, we’re THIS CLOSE to kidnapping CFL QBs and throwing them in Bills jerseys for the season. That’s where we’re at here. Until they’re playing another team I can ring the panic bell – and given that we all knew these were the QBs that would play in 2015 for the Bills, I’m thinking folks are protesting a bit too much.
Final Thoughts: I’m going to kind of chicken out with this one – I think that ultimately, if EJ doesn’t take the step forward Rex needs to see this is going to be Cassel’s job to lose. Rex has already started that process, letting Cassel get first team reps each practice, citing that he’s “the oldest”. That said, I think that Taylor will have a role either way with “change up” formations or in 2 point conversion situations.
Offensive Guard
The Players: Richie Incognito (Confirmed Starter), John Miller, Cyril Richardson.
Pre Camp Visit: With the price tag and the way Rex talked him up prior to camp, I was betting on Richie making it somewhere. After the draft, John Miller emerged as someone that Rex would bring up unsolicited so I figured he’d have a shot at starter.
Post Camp Visit: What I didn’t imagine was Cyril Richardson emerging as someone that Rex wanted in the mix at guard. Now, that isn’t because I didn’t think he could do it mind you – it was simply a matter of thinking that Miller had been head and shoulders above him in spring ball (due to Rex’s gushing). All four days of camp Richardson would spell Incognito for a bit and then swap in and out with first team at RG as well for Miller. In the 9-on-7 run portion, Richardson was mauling people, as was Richie. Miller got hurt day 2, but was right back out there day three and killing dudes (that weren’t first team D because..yeah).
NON GUARD OL NOTE: Eric Wood was getting rag-dolled during the 1-on-1 drills vs DTs that weren’t Dareus or Williams. That bears watching in Pre-Season.
Final Thoughts: With Incognito being named a starter along with Glenn and Wood officially, that leaves Right guard and Right tackle as the only spots up for grabs (officially). Miller may have the inside track, but if Richardson can provide better movement in the run-heavy system and not prove to be a liability in pass protection, he may find himself with a starting job in 2015.
Right Tackle
The Players: Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantrel Henderson.
Pre Camp Visit: A push. While Kouandjio’s new attitude and body were great going into camp, a lot of his opportunity came as Henderson began to shoot himself in the foot, most notably missing his flight prior to mini-camp. My hope going into camp was that he’d push hard and keep his job and force the Bills to have to play more of the 6-man line stuff Roman has done at San Francisco and Stanford. Joe will probably try to choke me Bart Simpson style when he reads this.
Post Camp Visit: In the past, Rex has been known to move people around pecking-order wise to motivate them. I’m thinking this may have been a case of that, as well as a reward for Kouandjio showing up in year two with a better head on his shoulder, as well as in better condition. Cyrus unfortunately was derailed by a knee injury during Wednesday’s practice. Watching Cyrus and Seantrel with pads pushing guys around both looked good; Henderson in particular did well in 11-on-11 on Monday stalemating Mario when the starters were in. The rest of the time I was at camp the biggest takeaway I had was Seantrel doing better mirroring his defender and not giving up ground – which he did a bit as a starter in ’14.
Final Thoughts: With Kouandjio out with a knee injury and Henderson arriving at camp in shape, Cyrus may become the swing tackle / extra linemen in jumbo sets in addition to perhaps being on ST (he lined up w/FG team during the Monday practice). For a second rounder that’s a tough pill to swallow, but if Henderson earns the spot – he’s talented in his own right.
Safety
The Players: Aaron Williams (Confirmed Starter), Corey Graham, Duke Williams, Jonathan Meeks, Bacarri Rambo.
Pre Camp Visit: Going into camp, Aaron Williams was assumed to be the guy. Next to him? That’s the question. I figured that Corey Graham would get the leg up, because of his prior experience in the Ryan defense as well as the push made towards the end of spring conditioning to get him up to speed. Duke to me seems like the biggest guy to push him due to Rambo’s relative (Green Bay game aside) newness to team/system and Meeks’ prior injuries preventing him from gaining traction on-field.
Post Camp Visit: Unlike the other positions, other than because of Aaron Williams needing a blow or to stretch on the sideline the starters have been Graham and Williams. Duke has been running with the 2s – which isn’t bad, but may lend him to more of that 3rd safety role if things continue. Rambo and Meeks were ok live but didn’t realize separate themselves from the pack. UPDATE: As of this morning (8/6) the three safety looks are starting to come out and Meeks, not Duke Williams is the 3rd safety. EEP.
Final Thoughts: Games may tell a different story depending on the opponent (especially late in camp) but Rex took a shine to the idea of Graham at safety, so since he’s head coach AND defensive play caller, I’m gonna venture to guess that the split between Graham and Duke/Meeks/Rambo/etc will be 60-70% in favor of a healthy Graham.
I’ll be back with thoughts on Doug Whaley’s “QB Purgatory” comments and after that we’ll open the steel cage for Joe and I to rumble over a few topics. Big thanks to Bernie, Del, Michael T, Ashley and all the fine folk I got to chat with and enjoy camp talking ball to. Until then, relax, enjoy the sun and let’s not kill each other on social media, yes? #1FO
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