Buffalo Bills' Dave Wannstedt: Arthur Moats Leapfrogs Kirk Morrison

The first interesting depth chart related development from Buffalo Bills training camp has finally taken place. Appearing on WGR 550's The Howard Simon Show on Tuesday morning, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt revealed that third-year linebacker Arthur Moats has surpassed veteran Kirk Morrison in the battle for a job on the strong side.

Moats, 24, has been the subject of ardent praise from his coaches this off-season now that they've finally settled him into one position. Having switched between outside and inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 for the first two years of his career, Moats was still productive when called upon, registering 62 tackles and five sacks in essentially a part-time role.

Wannstedt told the station that Moats will likely start in Thursday night's pre-season opener against the Washington Redskins. That would obviously relegate Morrison, 30, to second-team duties. Morrison, who signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the team in March, still has value to the Bills even if he doesn't start, as he gives the team a highly experienced backup at middle linebacker to stash behind Kelvin Sheppard.