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5 Storylines to follow in Rex Ryan's first minicamp

It's a voluntary veteran minicamp, but it's the first time Bills players will be doing real football work on the field with the club's new coaching staff under Rex Ryan.

1. Quarterback rotation

Ryan has said more than once that the quarterback competition will be balanced in its approach as the offensive staff makes a concerted effort to rotate the four QBs on the roster through in an effort to provide equal snaps. Still, there will be an order by which the signal callers rotate through. Who will be first, second, third and fourth on Tuesday, and will that order change on Wednesday and Thursday?

2. What's the combination?

Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer has stated that it's their intention to use a lot of different combinations up front in an effort to find the five linemen who work best together. Kromer has pledged not to make any preconceived notions on the abilities of his players. His evaluation of where everyone fits best begins now.

3. Time to blend

Buffalo added a lot of exciting new weapons to the offensive side of the ball. LeSean McCoy, Percy Harvin and Charles Clay are the headline acquisitions that offer dynamic playmaking ability. Now that they're on the roster the task for the coaches is effectively blending them into the offensive scheme and maximizing their strengths while the players establish on field chemistry with their new teammates.

4. Role shifts

With the Bills defense moving to a hybrid scheme under defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman defensive roles will be changing. Chief among them is expected to be veterans Jerry Hughes and Manny Lawson. In 2013 they played more of an OLB role in Mike Pettine's 3-4 front, with opportunities to rush off the edge on passing downs. Last season they played more of a true DE role in Jim Schwartz's 4-3 system. Now in Thurman's hybrid scheme, will they primarily line up in one of those positions or both?

5. Aaron's safety partner

With starting strong safety Da'Norris Searcy signing with Tennessee in free agency there is a vacancy on Buffalo's top five defense with a quartet of young players eager to fill it. The competition starts Tuesday between Duke Williams, Bacarri Rambo, Jonathan Meeks and Kenny Ladler.

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