Top 5: Observations for Bills Training Camp

Look, I hate training camp and preseason. The only way I look at in a positive light is that preseason football is better than no football. I think preseason can always lead fans to start thinking twice about their team. I’ve seen the sh#$ stirrers on ESPN dissect the Colts losing all their preseason games asking “if they are in trouble.” I’ve also seen Rob Johnson throw 3td’s against the reigning Super Bowl champs. The biggest thing I’ve learned from preseason is that you can’t let it change your season outlook. I know if T.O. gets 13 catches during the preseason that fans will be clamoring to give him the key to Rochester. The best way to analyze preseason football is 4 ways. 1) Pay attention to player competition battles. 2) Watch the back-up quarterback. 3) watch the young players. 4) Don’t pay attention to the starters play no matter what!!

I can’t recall the last time a team had a complete overhaul of 5 positions on the offensive line. The Bills line is in major transition. As of now their depth chart reads as followed: Langston Walker LT, Kirk Chambers LG, Geoff Hangartner C, Seth McKinney RG, Brad Butler RT. This line will never be confused with the hogs and is the biggest question mark of the team. In an earlier blog, I talked about the importance of getting the 2 rookies Wood and Levitre (don’t call me Viagra) signed and in camp early. There has been a lot of panic when it comes to the revamped offensive line. As a fan offensive line play is the most difficult to scout, mainly because there is so much that goes into what makes them good or bad.

It’s all about the team’s offensive philosophy and the position players. I’ve always used the Giants and the old Rams (greatest show on turf) offensive philosophy when it comes dissecting line play. Giants have a no-name offensive line, with no one hirer then a 3rd round pick. The line is able to knock teams on its ass when it comes to running the ball and do a great job in keep Eli Manning upright. The Rams from the late 90’s had one of the best offensive tackles in the last 15 years in Orlando Pace, but because the philosophy included 5 step drops on every play, Warner and Bulger got killed. The Bills have a quarterback in Edwards who is known for having a quick release and his greatest intangible is his intelligence. Those traits will help the Bills line cover up some of their short comings. As far as what training camp should accomplish for the Bills, its got to be continuity and competition. The Bills need for their rookie lineman to come in and win the starting jobs. You don’t waste 2 first day draft picks on lineman so they can sit and play special teams.

The Bills haven’t been this talented and deep at wide receiver since the early 90’s. When Rosco Parish is your 4th guy on the depth chart, then you are looking pretty good. If the Bills decide to keep 6 wides, this is what the depth chart should look like: Evans, Owens, Reed, Parish, Johnson, and Jenkins (Hardy on PUP List). The thing I’m going to keep a eye on is how Parish and Johnson play. Reed and Owens are FA next year and these 2 would be next in line to take over as starters. I know that the Bills are extremely high on Johnson. While Rosco who was on the trade block in April, has already made it known he will do his best “T.O.” if he doesn’t get the ball enough. Everyone has been talking about how TO and Evans are going to help each other out the most. But if any player gets helped the most by Evans and Owens it’s Josh Reed. This is Reed’s moment to shine. He’s got the body and route running skills to be a dangerous threat in the slot. Also don’t be surprised if the Bills decide to move Parish if a team gets hit with the injury bug at wide.

Nate Odoms, Thomas Smith, Jeff Burris, Nate Clements, Antoine Winfield. All players were corners who were either pro bowlers or first round picks who the Bills didn’t attempt to resign after their rookie contracts were up. As of now the corner back depth looks pretty good even with the lose of Jabari Greer (signed with the Saints). Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin are your starting corners with Ashton Youboty and new comer Drayton Florence as your 3rd and 4th corner. Take a guess whose a FA after this year. The Bills history tells me that McGee and Youboty are out after this year, keep an eye on Reggie Corner and rookie Cary Harris from USC. Same exact situation as for the wide receivers, Harris and Corners may be the heir apparent. As far as this year goes, I saw a lot out of McKelvin the second half of last year after a invisible first half. The 2nd year man has raw skills and needs some good coaching to take the next step he needs to be a top tier corner.

So Jason Bateman or Michael J Fox from Teen Wolf? Ryan Fitzpatrick is replacing JP Losman (6th heir apparent to Kelly) as the back-up quarterback. Losman was god awful in the two games he started last year. Who could forget him rolling out and fumbling the football against the Jets in the last 2 minutes of the game and the terrible fade pattern he threw to Lee Evans in the end zone in Toronto. The big question now is whether Teen Wolf III will be an upgrade. His numbers from Cincinnati tell me ehh..8 td’s and 9int’s in 13 games, and it wasn’t like the Bengals lack talent with the duo of TJ and Ocho Cinco.

I’ve never understood why teams don’t play more of the back-up quarterback with the first teamers during preseason. It’s not like the back-up is going to be throwing to a wide receiver who may be bagging groceries during the regular season. Get the back-up some experience with the first teamers just in case Edwards goes down. Teen Wolf may have to go in relief at some point since Edwards has gotten injured in his first two years in the NFL. Fitz better be as good at driving the Bills down the field as he is in riding on top of Styles van in Teen Wolf. (Ok, Teen Wolf mentions are done)

-Joe-

“OOOOOOWWWWWW”