While there were changes made at the tight end position for the Bills on Monday there was also an interesting development on the offensive line. Starting center Geoff Hangartner was granted a rest day for the first time in camp, and stepping into the pivot in his place was right guard Eric Wood.
Head coach Chan Gailey explained why Wood was moved inside.
"When you get to the season you don't get to carry that many offensive linemen on game day so you have to cross train quite a few people," said Gailey. "That's one of the things we have to look at is cross training Eric inside if something were to happen and we have to make a move during a game."
It was the first time Wood has been at the center spot in a live practice setting since his college days. Wood was a First Team All-Big East conference center and a finalist for the Rimington trophy during his time at Louisville. It would not be surprising if Wood wound up being the team's backup center this season with current second team center Sean Allen being an undrafted rookie whose only NFL experience has been the first two preseason games.
QB updateBuffalo's head coach said he and his staff know what the quarterback rotation will be for Saturday night's preseason game against Cincinnati at Ralph Wilson Stadium Saturday evening, but he's not making those plans public.
Gailey was asked if any of the quarterback's stock has gone up of late based on performance.
"I can't see a lot of movement in stock one way or the other because they've all done a pretty good job," said Gailey. "That's a good thing. Nobody's moved down. Everybody's played well when they've had the opportunity so that's been a positive."
The quarterback rotation has largely remained the same. Trent Edwards continues to get twice as many reps as the other two quarterbacks in the open competition, with Brian Brohm and Ryan Fitzpatrick switching off each practice in terms of who follows Edwards in the rotation.
Gailey has stated that he does have a drop dead date on when he intends to name his starting quarterback. He's choosing not to share that either. When asked if he's closing in on that decision the Bills head coach said the following.
"I think if we say it's open, we've got to let it play out," he said. "I wish we could do it today, it would be easier on everybody. We're still looking at every option that's available and every direction that we want to go. I think as long as we have that openness about it, then we're going to make a good decision – even if it doesn't come until the week of the first game. I don't want it to go that way but it may be the way it is."
Gailey on the 'Wildcat'Chan Gailey is known for having creative offenses over the years that maximize the talent of the players he has at his disposal. Many outside observers are of the opinion that the Bills could make good use of the formation with the stable of running backs on the roster. Gailey offered some of his thoughts on the 'Wildcat' formation.
"It's an interesting proposition," he said. "I don't know how long that thing will last if you don't throw out of it. You have to be able to throw out of that formation to make it last because pretty soon, they're going to put everybody up there on defense. Defensive coaches are catching up slowly but surely. They'll get there, they're a smart group. You have to be able to have some diversity out of it in order to make something like that work."
When asked if the 'Wildcat' will be a consideration for Buffalo's offense Gailey indicated that it would.
"Oh yeah," he said. "We consider everything. We're not so polished in one area that we can stay in that and beat people. We're going to have to consider everything."
HighlightsJ.P. Foschi got off to a good start with his new team as he pulled in a pass on a crossing pattern from Brian Brohm and turned up the near sideline for a 20-yard pickup.
Steve Johnson had a good looking reception on a post pattern from Ryan Fitzpatrick in 7-on-7.
Donald Jones took a slant and got enough yards after the catch to reach the end zone in 11-on-11 red zone work.
And Naaman Roosevelt followed a short time later with a catch over the middle and was able to cross the goal line before the defense closed in.
Defensively, Bryan Scott had a tackle for loss on C.J. Spiller as he got through the line to corral him in the backfield.
Ashton Youboty had a pass breakup on a pass intended for Aaron Rhea during red zone work.
Ellis Lankster also broke up a pass that had Aaron Rhea targeted in the right rear corner of the end zone.
And Leodis McKelvin forced an incompletion when he knocked an attempted fade pass away that was headed for Steve Johnson in the back left corner of the end zone.
ScheduleThe Bills will hold their final practice of training camp Tuesday morning at 9:45 before heading back to One Bills Drive in Orchard Park to continue their preparations for the 2010 regular season.
