When the Buffalo Bills square off against the San Diego Chargers this weekend, don't be surprised if rookie seventh-round pick Justin Rogers is starting at cornerback.
On Monday, head coach Chan Gailey told reporters that another rookie corner, second-round pick Aaron Williams, isn't as banged up as originally thought, but also that he's not sure that Williams will be available in Week 14. Williams had taken over as a starting corner since Terrence McGee landed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.
When Williams went down two days ago against Tennessee, the Titans immediately went after his replacement, Leodis McKelvin, with deep balls. That wasn't a problem then, given that the Titans don't have a viable deep passing attack.
Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson, however, are one of the elite deep passing combinations in the NFL. McKelvin will have to play, even if it's just as the nickel back, and if Monday Night Football was any indication, the so-so Chargers are still very capable of taking full advantage of bad cornerback play. Don't be surprised if the Bills try to limit their attacks on McKelvin by putting Rogers outside in base packages and giving McKelvin safety help in nickel and dime looks.