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Bills Training Camp Battles: Backup LT


Chambers leading the pack to back up Peters (Photo Source)

Note: As Buffalo Rumblings counts down the days until the start of the Buffalo Bills' 2008 training camp (current count: 8), we'll be breaking down some of the bigger battles we're sure to witness during summer practices as part of a comprehensive package of pre-camp topics we'll explain in more depth in the near future.  For now, we'll continue our Battles series by looking at the battle for the team's third tackle position.  Previous installments: Backup TE

With Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters unhappy with his contract situation, the training camp battle for the right to be Peters' primary backup suddenly holds much more importance for the Bills.  If Peters decides to hold out of even part of training camp - and nothing is out of the question at this point - and things get ugly, the winner of this competition becomes one of the most important players on Buffalo's entire offensive unit.

Meet the candidates...

The Favorite: Kirk Chambers (73)
The primary backup at both tackle positions last season, Chambers did not see a ton of action until the final two weeks of the season, when Peters went down with a season-ending groin injury.  He's an unspectacular athlete with marginal instincts for the game, but there are worse options as a backup tackle - he's smart, tough, and while he needs a little help, he generally avoids making big mistakes.  He's certainly the favorite, but if one of the other contenders surprises, he's certainly expendable as well.

The Upstart: Matt Murphy (70)
Like Peters, Murphy is a former tight end that has converted to offensive tackle, and he's got above-average athleticism for the position.  That's where the comparisons end.  Murphy is underweight and is making the full position switch for the first time; he's raw and needs some technique work, but he also has a bit of upside.  He's got a lot to prove, but if he starts stealing reps and moving up the depth chart during camp, Chambers better keep his head on a swivel.

The Darkhorse: Patrick Estes (79)
Signed late in the 2007 season as a reserve once Peters went down, Estes has kicked around the league early in his career.  He's a bit of an unknown commodity, but Buffalo's coaches reportedly like his smarts and his build.  He, too, has some work to do, but don't immediately count this guy out of the competition.

The Longshot: Demetrius Bell (77)
Keep in mind that Bell, the first of Buffalo's three seventh-round picks this past April, is only a long shot for the time being.  Blessed with rare athleticism for an offensive lineman, Bell is about as green as an NFL prospect comes, but he's got loads of upside and a solid athletic pedigree.  He's very likely to end up on the practice squad, but don't be shocked to see him make quick advances under the tutelage of line coach Sean Kugler.

Predicting the Winner
It may be boring, and it may leave you a bit queasy, but for now, Chambers seems like the clear favorite to win this competition.  The fact that the Bills have three upside guys behind Chambers, however, obviously indicates that the team is looking for an upgrade if one is available.  Given the team's interior depth - both Jason Whittle and Christian Gaddis have an excellent shot at making the roster - only one of these guys will make the roster, in all likelihood.  If Murphy or Estes surprises, that's great.  If not, the team will grit its teeth and go to work with Chambers for another season.

Ultimately, my opinion is as good as all of yours'; let's hear it, folks.  Who should/will be Buffalo's backup left tackle heading into the 2008 season?

Next Battle: Starting Cornerback

Poll
Who should be Jason Peters' primary backup at left tackle?
Kirk Chambers
72 votes
Matt Murphy
21 votes
Patrick Estes
13 votes
Demetrius Bell
21 votes
Other (i.e. Langston Walker)
17 votes

144 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 9 comments

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I think this is a 2 man race between Chambers and Estes.

Bell is nowhere near ready and Juaron and staff prefer the guys who don’t make mistakes.

I don’t think Murphy has put on enough weight to be considered a viable option as a primary backup. If he shows enough in training camp this year he could make the roster as a 4th tackle. Somebody has to be inactive and if one of the tackles goes down, he could step up as the 3rd tackle and also help on special team and short yardage situations.

by kaisertown on Jul 16, 2008 11:10 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Murphy

Wasn’t he up to around 290 a few months back??

Found this: So in March he was at 284. Who’s to say he hasn’t or won’t put on another 15-20 by August???

~K

by Kurupt on Jul 16, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

then nevermind

I just assumed he couldn’t put on 40 pounds in a single offseason. That is pretty impressive.

by kaisertown on Jul 16, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why one back up?

I know some teams only keep one back up at tackle, but I wonder why that is. I suppose Whittle can go out to the tackle position if we are desperate (and I guess the same for Butler), but that really would be a horrible situation (and create a hole at guard). The fact is that if just one of the 2 tackles are injured (or resting), there are no more subs at all. Shouldn’t we keep 2 back up tackles, 2 back up guard/center—making 9 players on the line? Don’t teams keep 9 (or even 10) linemen? Are you saying we keep Preston and Gaddis (along with Whittle), rather than a 2nd tackle?

by labill on Jul 16, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Well

We kept 8 to start the year last year. Our 5 starters and Whittle/Chambers were active vs Denver in week 1. Duke Preston was inactive.

I don’t think Preston and Gaddis make it, it’s one or the other, hopefully Gaddis. Whittle and Chambers should make it too. It’s just a matter of whether the staff wants to keep Murphy as well. If only 3 TE’s are kept, I think Murphy stays too, as a backup OT and jumbo TE in short situations.

~K

by Kurupt on Jul 16, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think we'll have Kirk and Pat as primary backup tackles

Then Murph and Bell go to the PS, or maybe Murph is kept on as the inactive dude and Bell only to PS.

But as it stands now, the Bills need to have guys with experience in the NFL, small as it may be in the case of Kirk and Patrick, instead of an upside guy who has never competed at that position at the highest level before. I think Muprh and Bell go live on the PS with Cox this offseason.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Jul 16, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Single performance might do it

If any one of these guys has a single stand-out performance in the preseason look for Jauron to name him the backup tackle. Jauron didn’t shy away from naming Butler the starter after a single good game in the preseason so I doubt he’d sweat doing the same for a backup.

by Ron From NM on Jul 16, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ron - I've been meaning to ask you this...

I know these guys are long gone, but what are/were your impressions of Terrence Pennington and Aaron Merz? I know this should have been a topic for a Rumblings FanPost back in 2006 (Damn you Brian for not being around then!), but I still wonder. I thought Pennington did an admirable job, and I actually had held out hope a few months back that Merz may have been a challenger to Fowler this year.

I enjoyed the Merz release with some BBQ’d crow, served with a side of glazed peaches and some fresh aspargus. If you’re going to eat crow, you should try and at least enjoy it….

by krytime on Jul 17, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chambers

Has been highly praised by Bills coaches in that past. Something about not worrying about sticking him in game situations or giving him starter reps in practice.

GO BLUE!!!

by Kumario! on Jul 17, 2008 12:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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