Lengthy pre-season a blessing in disguise for Buffalo

The veteran players and the players that have been in the system for a few years have the opportunity to get a few reps but also limit their playing time in order to avoid injuries and getting fatigued quicker by the end of the season.

We all know that the starters only get a few snaps a game until the 3rd preseason game – so the younger guys should benefit greatly from this extra game.

I expect to see the o-line playing longer than any other position as far as the starters are concerned.

Also – I actually like me some pre-season ball. No its not “real” games – but it’s football – all those guys fighting for a position are giving it their all. Football is football to me – I’ll hopefully be there for the first preseason game – but I don’t get bored with them.

Two things that I can say about this… First, I am actually glad we have 5 preseason games this year because we’ll need all of them for our O-Line to start gelling and playing consistently. I hope they all get a lot of play time including McKinney, Chambers, and Bell… We’ll have to see if these guys can play at anytime this season.

Second, our O-Line better get it together quick, because the last thing we need to see is Ryan Fitzpatrick for a number of games this year because of OL inadequacies. Trent Edwards has sat out games the last two years with injuries. Fitzpatrick does not seem like a competent enough backup to lead a team to more than a .500 record.

The risk of 5 preseason games of course is the injury factor. While they always happen, hopefully we can avoid any serious ones that will affect key positions and starters.

The Rewards for the extended preseason are clear: the offensive line will have an extra couple of drives against live opponents in which to play together; Edwards will see a few extra drives against different secondaries even if they really aren’t throwing the kitchen sink at him in terms of looks; Schobel will have a few extra drives to show how far along he is in his recovery; Maybin—assuming he reports fairly quickly—will get a few more drives to show whether or not he can hold up against the run; Harris and Bowen will get a few extra drives to try to unseat Ellison; Byrd will get a few extra drives to show that he was worth a high 2nd round selection.

The Risks are equally clear: everyone will have a few extra drives in which to get hurt. Edwards, of course, would be the worst injury situation for Buffalo. However, losing Butler, Walker or Hang would cause serious issues as well. Defensively, the Bills would be in bad shape with injuries to Stroud, Poz and McGee—all of whom have injury histories. Losing McKelvin would be a blow to bot the secondary and the return game.

I don’t know that the risk is worth the reward—particularly as college players tend to have a tough enough time making it through their first year without wearing down—but it’s not like the Bills have a choice.

This line reaks of potential, sure maybe they would be better of with walker and brad together on the right and some other capable tackle on the left, but this is what we got so they must make the best of it.

the extra game against a good team will be benificial as long as no one gets hurt

and without regards to the team, I love the extra pre-season game. I’ll be honest, I love watching pre-season games. I think it is the only time of year for a fan to really get to know his team: you feel like you know your bench players after watching them play, you get a glimpse into what the future will look like by watching the young guys, and you develop personal fan favorites if you like a guys style of play who you otherwise will never get to see in action. Its sweet!

One guy I’m keeping an eye on: Shawn Nelson – if he can torch 3rd string defenses as a rookie it will be a very good sign. If he can’t make plays it will be a very bad sign.

Why would n’t the rookie’s still show up. Do they have to sign first? I should know this, but it makes no sense. If they want to be good, just get to practice. The whole thing is silly

It’s a blessing in disguise if we don’t see a slew of injuries. If I were coaching this team, I’d give the starters no more time than they’d get in a normal 4-game preseason. I don’t want to risk any further injury for extra preseason reps for guys like Trent, TO, Evans, Schobel, etc. The only place I’m playing starters longer is the OL, simply to get them the necessary time to gel. We need them gelling ASAFP, so I’d be making sure they get enough time. I’d also put them in front of Fitzpatrick more often.

This is a time to really iron out some of the battles between young guys. Should Bowen make the team? Is Harris a potential player for the D this year? What about undrafted Ashlee Palmer and FA Pat Thomas, can they push for a roster spot? Does Ellis Lankster or Cary Harris deserve to be the 6th CB? Bruce Hall, Justise Hairston or Xavier Omon to fill Lynch’s roster spot for a few games, or none at all? Any young OL worth hanging onto as a 9th OL. Lots of good battles should come from this extra time….