
| It’s all moot for Bills if rebuilt lines don’t jell | |
We know Terrell Owens can catch it. But will Trent Edwards have time to throw it? Signing Owens was a huge offseason move for the Buffalo Bills, but the team’s biggest offseason gamble might have been trading Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bills’ revamped line will be a major question mark when their training camp opens July 24 in Pittsford, N.Y. Buffalo will have a new starter at all five offensive line positions. Can a team making such a major facelift really expect to make the playoffs? Here is how the Bills’ offensive line looks at the moment. Langston Walker will move from right tackle to left tackle to replace Peters. Rookie first-round pick Eric Wood has the inside track to start at left guard. Geoff Hangartner, a free-agent pickup from the Panthers, is slated to start at center. Another rookie, Andy Levitre, a second-round pick, is the projected starter at right guard. Brad Butler will move from right guard to right tackle. Left tackles usually block the opponent’s best pass rusher, but Bills line coach Sean Kugler says pass blocking is Walker’s strength. “For the naysayers, I’d say he (surrendered) 3 1/2 sacks in two years, 32 games,” Kugler said. “Langston has proven his worth as a pass protector. I think he’d be the first to tell you he’s got some work to do in the run game. Langston’s a willing worker.” Even with Peters last season, the Bills had some protection problems in surrendering 38 sacks. That leaves the new unit with plenty to prove, particularly Walker, who says he is not intimidated by filling Peters’ role. “After the draft, it was pretty obvious I was going to play left tackle,” Walker said. “I’m a team player. They asked me to do it early: No arguments, end of story. It’s a definite adjustment, but it can be done. People have done it before.” What the Bills have not done lately is make the playoffs. Their last postseason appearance was in Jan. 8, 2000, and if their offensive line does not gel it could be another long winter in Buffalo. Article via SportingNews, written by Clifton Brown – http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-07-14/its-all-moot-for-bills-jags-bears-if-rebuilt-lines-dont-gel Posted in 1 | No Comments »
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