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5 Biggest Red Flags Heading Into Buffalo Bills’ 2015 NFL Training Camp

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5 Biggest Red Flags Heading Into Buffalo Bills’ 2015 Training Camp

EJ Manuel Buffalo Bills Red Flags
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

Training camp is the time of year where the most important issues for each team need to be dealt with. These issues are usually about which players are going to start, the health of certain players as they recover from injuries and the impact that coaching changes can have on the team. The Buffalo Bills have question marks in all of these areas, and here are their five biggest red flags heading into training camp.

5. The Right Tackle Position

Cyrus Kouandjio Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

5. The Right Tackle Position

Cyrus Kouandjio Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

The one hole on the offensive line right now is at the right tackle position. There is an open competition between Cyrus Kouandjio and Seantrel Henderson, and Kouandjio has the upper hand at the moment. However, Kouandjio has had injury issues during his college and NFL careers, so the team needs to make sure he can stay healthy. Otherwise, the underwhelming Henderson may start at right tackle for a second season.

4. Potential Locker Room Issues

Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

4. Potential Locker Room Issues

Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

There could be a clash of personalities in the Bills locker room. Rex Ryan is an outspoken coach who has had struggles in the past when trying to control the locker room. Now, the team has added some big personalities in the offseason like Percy Harvin, LeSean McCoy and the poster boy from the bullying scandal, Richie Incognito. Ryan needs to be sure he doesn’t lose control of the locker room, or the Bills will quit on him.

3. The Linebacker Corps

Preston Brown Nigel Bradham Buffalo Bills Red Flags
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

3. The Linebacker Corps

Preston Brown Nigel Bradham Buffalo Bills Red Flags
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

When the Bills traded Kiko Alonso, it was clear that they would need to draft another linebacker to start alongside Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham. The team didn’t address the position and now Randell Johnson, a former seventh-rounder, is slated to start at the position. If he doesn’t play well and Brown and Bradham’s play can’t make up for it, then the linebackers could end up being the weakest unit on the team.

2. Quarterback Controversy

Matt Cassel Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

2. Quarterback Controversy

Matt Cassel Buffalo Bills Red Flag
Kevin Hoffman – USA TODAY Sports

Any time Tyrod Taylor is getting buzz as being your potential starting quarterback you have a problem. Taylor will be battling Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel for the starting job, and this competition will likely not have a real winner. The Bills should start Cassel, because he is the most reliable of the three quarterbacks, but he is coming off of a major injury. The position is a major red flag that could cause the Bills to miss the playoffs.

1. Sammy Watkins' Health

Sammy Watkins Buffalo Bills Red Flag
David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports

1. Sammy Watkins' Health

Sammy Watkins Buffalo Bills Red Flag
David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been talking about Sammy Watkins’ health all week, and I still think that it’s the most important issue for the team to watch in training camp. Watkins is recovering from offseason hip surgery, and though he supposedly will be fully ready by training camp, the team should still monitor the injury. The Bills shouldn’t risk the long-term health of their young star, and his health is the team’s biggest red flag heading into training camp.

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