We have Buffalo Bills football! Granted it’s just preseason, but it’s what we’ve been waiting for since February. It’s a perfect time to check out some positional battles that have played out through training camp and will continue into the preseason. The CB2 battle is heating up and it looking like it should be solidified after this week’s game. Let’s take a look at some battles to watch for against the Indianapolis Colts.
Middle Linebacker
The MLB battle has been heating up. Just not in the direction some of us (I) expected. Dorian Williams is out of the running, and has been since training camp began. It seems to be down to just two players now, Tyrel Dodson and Terrel Bernard. Both have received a healthy dose of starting reps throughout camp, and both looked good in their own way. Dodson may get the nod here based off of NFL experience and his knowledge of McDermott’s system. Last year, when Tremaine Edmunds went down with injury, he stepped up against the Minnesota Vikings, and started the following week as well. Dodson has had a strong summer, and has been demanding attention in the run game, closing up holes very, very quickly.
Right Guard
The Bills have been flip flopping between Ryan Bates and O’Cyrus Torrence all camp. When Torrence is on the field, Bates will be the No. 2 Center. The OL with Torrence in has looked better against the fierce pass rush in camp. If Torrence plays well this week, he could slide into the starting five with Conner McGovern taking LG duties. Bates recently signed a four-year/$17M deal, and played some Center the past couple years when Mitch Morse was injured. If Bates loses the starting job, he will provide good depth behind Morse and Torrence as well as positional versatility across the line.
CB2
This battle may be all locked up already, with Dane Jackson starting opposite of Tre White. However, it will be interesting to see if Kaiir Elam can narrow the gap through these three games and make things tougher for Dane. Based on the videos posted from training camp, it seems like Elam has struggled, and recently got burnt on a touchdown by Gabe Davis on Wednesday. Kaiir needs a strong game this week to stay in the race.
If this continues to happen against the Colts, the CB2 battle may be over for Elam.
Kick/Punt Returner
The Buffalo Bills had a new position battle emerge during camp: Return man. It seems to be a four-man race. Ever since the Bills lost Nyheim Hines for the season, they brought in Darrynton Evans and Andy Isabella to compete with Khalil Shakir and Deonte Harty. Harty has gotten the majority of the return reps throughout the summer, which may be telling about where they’ll go come Week 1. If that’s the case, it may mean we’ll see Khalil Shakir in the slot when Dalton Kincaid isn’t there.
Featured Image: WKBW
