Tim Anderson

The Bills are going to play it safe this Sunday, and leave their banged up starting quarterback on the bench for this week’s pre-season game against the Colts.  With the knowledge that Buffalo are likely going to go with their starters for the entire 1st half, coupled with Edwards’ performance of nine days ago, this news is more disappointing than it normally would be when discussing a pre-season affair.  With regard to the injury itself however, there is nothing to worry about Bills’ fans.  Edwards will simply rest his bruised thigh, and hopefully suit up for the final tune-up this coming Thursday. 

While on the subject of injuries, the Bills will also be without the services of wide receivers James Hardy and Roscoe Parrish, both of whom will be nursing minor afflictions.  This should give rookie Steve Johnson and incumbent 5th receiver Justin Jenkins a lot of looks.  It should be an exciting match-up, as the first round of cuts is drawing nearer. 

Finally, the Bills did make a pair of roster moves yesterday morning, adding un-drafted rookie free agent OT Dustin Dickinson.  His presence will spell relief for players like Brad Butler and Duke Preston, who have been called upon in recent weeks to play outside of their natural position, in order to afford the starting OT’s a much needed break.  Dickinson was originally signed by Seattle after the draft, but was released in June.  In order to make room for the newcomer, Buffalo parted ways with WR Jason Jones.

Tim Anderson

The Bills wrapped up their training camp schedule at St. John Fisher College this morning, and are headed back to the bubble in Buffalo - well, Orchard Park.  The end of another year of pre-season festivities in Pittsford, signals the beginning of another season of football in Western New York.  The Bills head East on the I90 with much unsettled, most notably the contract dispute between they and Jason Peters.  However, most of what remains undetermined will leave Buffalo fans on the edge of their seats for the final two weeks of the pre-season.

First, we know little, if nothing about what will shakedown in the Buffalo secondary - more specifically, cornerback.  Terrence McGee will be the #1, and that’s about all we know.  It does appear that Jabari Greer has earned the right to start the season as the #2, but will it last?  Rookie Leodis McKelvin, who I expect to supplant Greer in the first quarter of the season, will undoubtedly see some time on the field for kick returns, but his role in terms of defense remains to be seen.  Beyond these uncertainties, waiting in the wings are Reggie Corner, Will James, and Ashton Youboty - all of whom are vying for any position from nickel-back, to a spot on the roster.

Secondly, it is still unclear as to where each of the wide receivers will fit into the offense.  Much like cornerback, there are quality players up and down the roster, albeit mainly as #3 guys.  Nevertheless, will James Hardy have the opportunity to impact the offense?  I think yes!  He will be in on almost every play inside the 20, and will likely be the #4 guy between the hash-marks until the season progresses.  I still think Buffalo are ready to use Parrish more this year, as their offense will be centered around playmakers, who will need to add yardage after they get the ball.  Parrish is money in that department.  Additionally, I think Buffalo are going to have a tough time deciding between Steve Johnson and Justin Jenkins.  As it stands, Johnson is the frontrunner, but because of Jenkins’ special teams’ prowess, perhaps the Bills could keep a 6th wide-out.  I wouldn’t bet on it, but I wouldn’t put the house against it either.

Finally, will Trent Edwards be ready on September 7th to put some life into the anemic offense of a season ago.  He has made progress in recent days, and barring any setback with the injury, which I’ll talk about in a moment, I fully expect that progress to continue on into the season.  That said, JP will be lying in the weeds, waiting to pounce on any opportunity.

Now, to the aforementioned injury; you would think having the starting quarterback hurt, would warrant the opening statement of any piece involving the team, however due to the insignificance of the injury, it earns only a footnote.  Edwards, in a collision with Marshawn Lynch during last night’s practice, injured his quad.  It is being called anything from a deep thigh bruise to a quad contusion; neither of which are threatening to any playing time during the regular season.  His status for Sunday’s game in Indianapolis however, is in question.  As for Lynch, he continued practicing after the collision, but walked off the field later on, with what is deemed as a bruised knee.  Coach Jauron does not feel either injury is cause for great concern.

Now that training camp is officially over, the storylines for the “real” football will begin to unfold.  Until such time…

Go Bills!

Tim Anderson

Fresh off of his 2-TD performance last Thursday, Robert Royal’s stock is rising, but this time it is the result of an injury to Derek Schouman, the man who has been seeing virtually all of the first team reps at tight end.  Schouman injured his knee during Thursday night’s game against Pittsburgh, and is out indefinitely.  Robert Royal is unquestionably the beneficiary of #80’s misfortune, and the starting job now appears to be his to lose.  What is telling about this injury, is the lack of confidence Buffalo are showing in free agent acquisition Courtney Anderson, who is still losing reps to Royal, and rookie Derek Fine.  Could Anderson miss the team altogether? 

In other news, tackle Patrick Estes was back in practice last night, alleviating some of the strain placed on the rest of the offensive line, who have been filling in at this position.  Josh Reed too was back on the field for last night’s session.  Both should be able to play in the team’s 3rd pre-season game this Sunday against Indianapolis. 

While a couple of players returned to work, a couple more were back on the sidelines, as rookies James Hardy and Kennard Cox sat out last night’s workout with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.  Despite the injuries Buffalo have incurred, thus far none have been of the devastating variety.  Of course, anyone reading this should knock on wood!

The first cuts are just around the corner, as teams will have to cut their rosters down to 75 players by August 26th.  For the Bills, this will mean releasing 6 players to be in compliance.  I won’t even begin to make predictions, but I don’t anticipate any surprises.  This Sunday’s game may be the last chance for many of these players to turn some heads, which should make the 3rd and 4th quarters fun to watch.

We are now halfway through the pre-season, and with the aforementioned 1st cuts coming, the light is now at the end of the tunnel.  We are less than 3 weeks away from opening day, but in that time, there will assuredly be some big news, making the wait all that more interesting.  In the meantime…

Go Bills!