With Brad Butler out, Jason Whittle questionable and Duke Preston manning center, the odds are very, very good that the Bills will have swing tackle Kirk Chambers in the starting lineup at right guard on Sunday against the Patriots.
"He's a possibility," said head coach Dick Jauron. "We've only got two guys we're carrying in."
Jauron is referring to the fact that Buffalo only has Melvin Fowler and Whittle as interior line options on the roster. With Whittle's ability to play Sunday in question due to a back injury Chambers got snaps with the first unit at right guard in practice this week.
Chambers admits his experience at guard is somewhat limited.
"I played a little guard in Cleveland in preseason games, but that's about it," he said.
Serving Chambers well is having full knowledge of the tackle responsibilities, which helps him lining up at guard.
"At guard whenever I have to work with the tackle I know what the call is," he said. "I've been putting an emphasis to learn the guard's call from the center. I'm sandwiched in between the two guys so that's been my emphasis to get the calls down with the center and it's really helped me understand the whole offense a lot better."
The veteran lineman also got reps at tackle this week as he is still the team's swing tackle should something happen to Jason Peters or Langston Walker in the game.
As a result Chambers has put in extra study time this week with respect to the Patriots personnel. He not only has to know the defensive ends and outside linebackers, but Vince Wilfork and the inside linebackers as well.
"As far as knowing personnel and their favorite pass rush moves it's been a little more work to do," he said.
Chambers' last start came in the season opener when he played right tackle against Seattle, as a result of the Jason Peters holdout, while Langston Walker played left tackle.
