The Buffalo Bills will have to do some shifting this week on the offensive line and the first step is starting with moving guard Eric Wood to center. Wood is the only player with extensive experience at center on the roster having manned the pivot at Louisville.
"Coming out he was one of the best centers in the nation," said head coach Chan Gailey. "It’ll be an easy transition for him. Making all the calls will be a little different, but he’s handled it before."
To his credit Wood is ready for the challenge.
"I’m looking forward to the opportunity," said Wood. "Obviously losing Geoff hurts the O-line, but I’m going to step in and do the best I can to replace him up front for the time that he’s going to miss."
Coach Chan Gailey gave us some insight into who will replace Wood at right guard.
"We’ll probably have to play (Cordaro Howard) and (Ed) Wang in there at guard," said Gailey. "Cordaro is not 100 percent healthy, so we’ll probably have to take two guys and make a whole game so to speak."
Howard is still recovering from a shoulder injury. It forced him out of the starting lineup at right tackle and apparently is still not 100%. The only other Bills lineman on Sunday will be newly-signed Chad Rinehart who has been with the practice squad since October.
Geoff Hangartner, Corey McIntyre, and Demetrius Bell were not participating in practice today. Bell's absence is probably related to rest as he continues to recover from surgery. McIntyre's absence was not injury-related.
As for the Browns, the team is still unsure whether Jake Delhomme or Colt McCoy will be under center this week. McCoy has been dealing with a high ankle sprain.