He can play tackle as well if I’m not mistaken. I understand that Chambers is the first option, but and that Whittle will be looked at more as a guard, but he has tackle ability.

I remember when Peters was in his first year, he was used on special teams, where he blocked a kick and scored a touchdown. He was a playmaker on special teams. I wonder if that is the kind of player that either Murphy or Bell could be for the Bills this year.

After reading the article, it looks l have a higher opinion of Walker and a much lower opinion of Chambers than you do, Brian. While Walker’s pass blocking was considered suspect when Buffalo signed him away from Oakland, I was very impressed with his all around game. All and all, I don’t think he was ever a liability in the pass game for Buffalo and I was pleased with his addition after year one…As for Chambers, I thought he looked overmatched against the Giants and Eagles. I don’t think he was credited with giving up any sacks, but he was getting beat in those games. In fact, I distinctly remember a play where he was knocked on his backside against a single Giants defender and it’s telling that Buffalo failed to score a single touchdown in the 7 quarters that Chambers replaced Peters. Remember, he was out of the NFL in 2006 and talented tackles generally stay employed while in their mid 20’s. He’s a weak 3rd tackle. My hope is that Patrick Estes is good enough to beat Chambers out so that the position will have been upgraded. I don’t know if he is better than Chambers, but it sounds like Buffalo was scouting him since he’s been in the league, so there’s obviously something they like about him. I see Buffalo keeping Murphy as a project, but expecting him to be the 3rd tackle this year might be too much to ask. Bell sounds perfect for the practice squad where hopefully, he can learn to play several line positions in 2008. Overasll, I agree that the tackle position in Buffalo is a strong, but that strength is based soley on the health of Peters and Walker. After that, someone needs to step up in training camp.

I think many of us sometimes overlook what he’s accomplished to be where he is at right now, me definitely included. The kid went from overweight/undrafted TE with good skills for his size, to a premiere starting LT earning his way to Hawaii, all within a couple years. That’s an amazing story and part of the reason we’re seeing guys like Estes and Murphy getting a chance at OT. I hope we have some major success soon so the rest of the country can start learning about his story. I see an ESPN feature story on Sunday Countdown if we are a true playoff contender this year.

I really love that Peters is still learning and refining his technique at the position. I saw a number of times last year where he was simply beat by a defender, but he was quick enough, strong enough and smart enough to recover where the play wasn’t ruined. I remember one instance pretty well against Cincy, and I believe Justin Smith, where Peters was literally shoved into the backfield. Any other OT would have landed square on his backside the way he was bullrushed, but Peters somehow regained his footing, repositioned himself and neutralized Smith, all within a split second, so Losman could get a pass off. It was quite impressive and one of the reasons I see Peters getting even better. Even when he makes a mistake or is beaten, he finds ways to get the job done. Once he beings limiting these mistakes even more, he’s going to be unstoppable. He’s also got to cut down on the penalties, which start to crop up a bit last year.

I also thought Walker was better than expected last year. In fact, he may have been the best run blocking OL from last year. He did need help in the passing game at times, but he really was a solid signing in the end. I hope he continues improving here and him and Butler continue building the quality rapport necessary for a strong side of the line.

about the proposition of this O-line together in Season #2 after 16 reg. season games under the belt in which they all pretty much maintained there health until the latter portion of the season. I think there has to be some concern about the reserves on this team, which is why keeping Whittle around was a must to provide a veteran reserve.

The proposition of a new scheme, Lynch and Edwards in year #2, is one I’m excited about seeing. And with the off-season moves targeted at improving the Defense. (i.e. Stroud, Mitchell, Johnson, McKelvin, Corner, James) I think the offense could quietly have something to prove under the radar

But more importantly, it will be how Kugler works with Bell to bring him along. I don’t who worked more with Jason Peters becoming a tackle, whether it was Kugler or McNally. If it was Kugler, I think we got a kid who can become our next Jason Peters and become our new RT in a couple of seasons. Now wouldn’t that be wild to have two ultra athletic tackles on the field who both can handle anything thrown at them.

Chambers was OK as a backup tackle, but I don’t think he should be on the field more than a few plays a game. If we have to rely on him for more than spot duty we will be in serious trouble.