It became more and more apparent the closer and closer the Bills got to their season opener. Knowing Nigel Bradham was going to miss the opener due to a one game league-imposed suspension Buffalo needed a replacement at the weak side linebacker position. Rookie LB Preston Brown began lining up there more and more over the past week and a half. The lineup move became official on Monday when the first depth chart for the season was released.
Brown had been mainly serving as the backup to Brandon Spikes at middle linebacker through the offseason. He even saw time as a first team nickel linebacker in practices and in base defense. For Week 1 however, the Louisville product will be needed outside.
Now having practiced there for almost two weeks, Brown feels pretty comfortable in his new role for Week 1.
"It's getting a lot better. It's just starting to flow a lot more now," Brown told Buffalobills.com. "Just getting acclimated to playing with the ones and you've got to be a little cleaner out there with those guys. Just seeing how to make my reads and get myself in position has been a lot better."
Brown played all three linebacker positions through the course of his college career, but was mainly a middle backer his last year plus with the Cardinals. But both defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and head coach Doug Marrone have been very pleased with Brown's ability to handle multiple roles as a rookie.
"It just shows they've got a lot of confidence in me to switch positions up a couple of weeks before the game and it shows they want me to go out there and try to make an impact on the game," said Brown.
"So anyway I can help that's what I'm trying to do."
A Bills third-round pick in May, Brown had veterans in front of him on the depth chart including Kiko Alonso, who had yet to suffer his season-ending ACL injury. Over the last few months circumstances changed and now Brown will serve as a starter in his first NFL regular season game.
He admits there will be some nerves, but it won't take long for him to settle in and focus.
"Usually I need that first tackle or first hit to get started. Once that happens I'll be able to calm down and play."
Here's the first in-season depth chart for the #Bills: http://t.co/6riXCLkr6u pic.twitter.com/8dVysQzZCp — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) September 1, 2014
