Bills Keys To 2011: Health On The O-Line

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills Opinion

On one hand, the fact that the Buffalo Bills incurred so many injuries along their offensive line last season is doing wonders for their depth heading into the 2011 season. Players currently penciled in as reserves, such as Kraig Urbik, Chad Rinehart and Cordaro Howard, among others, have logged significant playing time in Chan Gailey's offense.

If the unit is going to take a step forward, however, they're going to need to stay much healthier than they have in recent seasons along the line.

The Bills got 16 starts each from Demetrius Bell and Andy Levitre last season, but in the case of Bell, a lingering injury from 2009 prevented him from properly training for the season. The team started two players at center, three at right guard and four at right tackle.

Though they've had no contact with team trainers thanks to the NFL lockout, this group is healthy with training camp set to begin in a couple of short weeks. Once Gailey and the coaching staff figure out who their starting lineup is, let's hope it stays that way - and that the aforementioned depth remains a convenience, rather than a necessity.

Previous keys to 2011: Fitzpatrick to Evans, Spiller's ball security, Diversifying at tight end, More pass rush

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“Depth is great…until you have to use it.” -Marv

by billsnterps on Jul 19, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Nice!!!!

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 19, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Change Health to Help

by Winnie33 on Jul 19, 2011 10:18 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Nah.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Right out of the gate

These three, along with Wrotto, Wang,depending on Hangartner and Wood, we could end up with four potential starting guards on the roster. Very good starting guards, the type we might have to worry about losing in the future type of guards. These guys better have taken the offseason as serious as they could because the competition is going to be intense.

Tackle isn’t as intense at this point but you would have to agree that it is far better than a year ago. Bell, Wang, Harriston, Wrotto and Pears. If we were to bring in a veteran tackle in FA, that would only intensify the competition because that would mean an additional acquisition from last year would be cut loose. A very important camp is in front of us, I wonder what Fitz is thinking about?

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jul 19, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

He’s still thinking about how Stevie dropped that pass against Pittsburgh… and the Hill Cumorah Pageant

by JustAskTheAxis on Jul 19, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder what Fitz is thinking about?

Thanking his lucky stars that the Bills O-line is heading in the right direction…

On paper it looks like a very highly competitive competition for starting positions and depth. Now the players need to perform on the field~~let the showdown begin!
.

A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish.
Ty webb (Caddyshack)

by Goose22 on Jul 19, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Buddy's Mantra

Of stacking players on players seems to be taking place right as we speak, the 1 question i have is. Do we have depth? or do we have less then average players being hid in a system because there are 3 of them.

it’s all well and fine to have 3 players at each position but if none of the 3 or even adequate whats the point. I say bring in a starter or a player you believe can start and if he loses his job you prove that our depth is worth keeping if not cut the dead weight.

A starter at any position on the o line works for me. whether it be LG or RT bring in a capable veteran someone in the mold of a Doug Free or a Tyson Clabo and see how it works out, if he gets out played cut him

"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover

by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 19, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

Doug Free’s probably resigning with Dallas and Tyson Clabo’s going to get way more money than we are probably willing to dish out.

They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier.

by cjf4 on Jul 19, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Well if he’s resigning with Dallas, that’ll put him on the open market.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

In that case can we expect a preview of how much the Bills plan to bid on Peyton and Vick?

They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier.

by cjf4 on Jul 19, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Went over your head. Resign and re-sign is a pet peeve of mine. :)

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re right about my grammatical error, but that joke was no good either ; ).

They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier.

by cjf4 on Jul 19, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha, fair enough.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

mine are the use of “then” vs. “than”, “effect” vs. “affect”, and “definately” vs. “definitely”

Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12

by fansince60 on Jul 19, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Those don’t bother me as much. I think anyone would agree that your vs. you’re wins that particular race, though.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess

your write :-)

Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12

by fansince60 on Jul 19, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

We didn't give Green, Edwards or Davis big time money

We gave Green way too much, and maybe gave Dwan just ther right amount.

I for one would be totally open to paying big bucks for Clabo, but I dont see it happening, what I can see happening though is giving a guy like Matt Light good veteran money.
He could potentially be the glue that this young line needs, a stop gap until Hairiston turns the corner or even Pears.

Like I said pay him some money and if he gets out played by Wrotto or Pears or Hairston then cut him.

"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover

by PaullyPforPrez on Jul 19, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats one option

Or you can bring in players that bring a level of quality that can be replaced with that same level of quality if the other player goes down. What Fitz showed last year was he was capable of adjusting to the lineman in front of him. Bringing in a Clabo or a Free is all good if they stay healthy, but going from a Clabo to a Wrotto could be a set back and potentially change the offensive game plan.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jul 19, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Brian- do you think that the new, roughly 90% of the salary cap, minimum will play any part in Buddy and Whaley being a little bit more active in FA? Or will veteran salaries naturally just go up a little bit?

by billsnterps on Jul 19, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Matt’s going to touch on that in an article tomorrow.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 19, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Keep your eye on Chad Rinehart

He was very impressive during the time he played RG last season. If he has the chance to go through training camp and ends up winning the RG slot (assuming Wood moves to Center) he might become a fixture for years. On the other hand, Urbik, Hang and Wrotto are also real contenders. Even if we have injuries on the interior o-line (which I certainly hope doesn’t happen) we should be ok this year. OT is of course a different story.

by Macktruck on Jul 19, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Mack Your Opinion

Tackle, much better going into 2011 than going into 2010. Also, the FO efforts at upgrading the interior OL during the same time frame. IMO there has been much improvement, about as much as one season/offseason could bring without litarally purchasing one.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jul 19, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Waiver Wire

Weren’t alot of our depth players waiver wire fodder? Think we have a false sense of competition if thats true. Definitely need to stay healthy without a doubt. Curious to hear last time we went through a fairly injury free season. FA is only way this O/L is gonna get better anytime soon.

A QB is like a King in chess, if you don't have one you lose! Get a QB Buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Jul 19, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions