The offensive line has been a position of high turnover over the past decade in Buffalo, but the ‘08 season will be a bit different.  I fully expect the unit that finished the season in 2007, to be the unit that trots onto the field opening day.  As for those who will be pacing the sidelines waiting for an opportunity, there may be some changes.

Current Roster Players (In order of NFL experience)

Jason Whittle - Entering his 10th NFL season - 2nd with the Bills

Melvin Fowler - Entering his 7th NFL season - 3rd with the Bills

Derrick Dockery - Entering his 6th NFL season - 2nd with the Bills

Duke Preston - Entering his 4th NFL season - 4th with the Bills

Brad Butler - Entering his 3rd NFL season - 3rd with the Bills

Christian Gaddis - Entering his 2nd NFL season - 2nd with the Bills

Robert Felton - Rookie

The starters

Like many of the recent previews, the starters at guard are all but set in stone with Dockery on the left and Butler on the right.  As for center, Fowler too seems safe.  However, I think he will peak over his shoulder here and there during camp, as there are two players who will make him sweat just a touch; those being the veteran utility man Jason Whittle, and the youngster Christian Gaddis.  Whittle’s natural position is center, and he has started in the NFL before.  Gaddis on the other hand, spent much of his time on the practice squad one year ago.  Could he be ready to take the next step?

Battle for back-up roles

Center

Center offers the most intriguing of  the battles.  Behind the presumptive starter Melvin Fowler, are 3 players who can and/or have played center at the NFL level.  Whittle is quite obviously the frontrunner in terms of what he can bring to the table in experience and leadership, which may go a long way in landing him a job.  Gaddis is the young gun who possibly has the most potential - enough to warrant a good look.  Duke Preston, the former 4th round pick out of Illinois, has spent most of his playing time with the Bills at Guard, but like Whittle, has a natural tendency to play center.  All three will be looking to secure the back-up job, but only 1 will hit pay dirt.

Guard

The guards are a bit less interesting, but remain an option for two of the aforementioned players.  I suspect that either Whittle or Preston will find a job in this capacity if it doesn’t work out for them at center.  Whoever misses that boat however, will likely end the summer in the NFL’s unemployment office alongside Robert Felton.

Who to watch for

Christian Gaddis may very well put Duke Preston out of a job when all is said and done this August.  The coaching staff have been pleasantly surprised with his work in OTA’s, and he just may be the “project” for the interior offensive line - possibly worth hanging onto.  That said, I don’t expect him to land in the #2 hole - Whittle will easily win that job.

Potentially Shocking Cut

I have used the term “shocking” a bit too liberally in these previews, but since I’ve started the trend, I might as well continue.  Duke Preston may have worn out his welcome, which is evident by his demotion last season to 3rd string.  Would it be shocking?  Probably not, but then again, I’m not sure anyone would expect a relative unknown like Gaddis to take his job away after 3 full seasons with the team.

Final Predictions

Quantity Kept: Two at center, three at guard.  Because Buffalo has made a point to bring in offensive linemen with versatility, keeping five players for the middle of the offensive line will be more than ample.

Players Cut: Duke Preston will end his career in Buffalo after 3 years of inconsistent play.  The relative emergence of  Christian Gaddis will seal his fate.  Meanwhile, undrafted rookie free agent Robert Felton will get a look in camp, but ultimately find himself a victim of numbers by it’s conclusion.

Practice Squad Candidates: I’m sure the Bills will enlist 1 interior lineman to this group, but I’ll bet that it comes from elsewhere. 

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