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