Previewing the Buffalo Bills' 2015 NFL Training Camp

Previewing the Buffalo Bills' 2015 NFL Training Camp

By Jacob Camenker

July 17, 2015

Buffalo Bills Training Camp Preview

On July 31, the Buffalo Bills' players and coaches will report to St. John Fischer College for the annual event that takes place every year before the NFL season begins: training camp. The Bills were a solid team last season, but after having an offseason coaching change, they need to be very focused during training camp. They are poised to improve, and here’s a look at all of their positions heading into camp.

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel Buffalo Bills Quarterback

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel Buffalo Bills Quarterback — The quarterback position is undoubtedly the most questioned position on the Buffalo Bills’ roster. The team has veteran Matt Cassel, former first-round pick EJ Manuel and career backup Tyrod Taylor battling for the starting job. Currently, nobody has a leg up in the competition, but Cassel has reportedly fallen behind after a “brutal” showing in OTAs. Expect Taylor to make a real push at the starting job, as Rex Ryan really likes him.

The quarterback position is undoubtedly the most questioned position on the Buffalo Bills’ roster. The team has veteran Matt Cassel, former first-round pick EJ Manuel and career backup Tyrod Taylor battling for the starting job. Currently, nobody has a leg up in the competition, but Cassel has reportedly fallen behind after a “brutal” showing in OTAs. Expect Taylor to make a real push at the starting job, as Rex Ryan really likes him.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills Running Back

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Running Backs

Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills Running Back — LeSean McCoy is firmly entrenched as the starter for the Bills, but the backup positions are largely unresolved. The team has a logjam at the position, with longtime Bill Fred Jackson, rookie Karlos Williams, Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown currently on the roster. One or two of them won’t make the team, and Jackson seems most likely to depart. The other players are simply younger, better, cheaper options than the 34-year-old.

LeSean McCoy is firmly entrenched as the starter for the Bills, but the backup positions are largely unresolved. The team has a logjam at the position, with longtime Bill Fred Jackson, rookie Karlos Williams, Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown currently on the roster. One or two of them won’t make the team, and Jackson seems most likely to depart. The other players are simply younger, better, cheaper options than the 34-year-old.

Wide Receivers

Percy Harvin Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver

Wide Receivers

Percy Harvin Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver — The Bills improved their receiving corps with one major move. The team signed Percy Harvin, and they will likely use him as a slot receiver/offensive weapon this year. The team also has the explosive Sammy Watkins and the decent Robert Woods as their starters, and they should be pretty good. A player to keep an eye on is Chris Hogan, who was solid last season, and he figures to be a good backup slot receiver again this year.

The Bills improved their receiving corps with one major move. The team signed Percy Harvin, and they will likely use him as a slot receiver/offensive weapon this year. The team also has the explosive Sammy Watkins and the decent Robert Woods as their starters, and they should be pretty good. A player to keep an eye on is Chris Hogan, who was solid last season, and he figures to be a good backup slot receiver again this year.

Tight Ends

Charles Clay Buffalo Bills Tight End

Tight Ends

Charles Clay Buffalo Bills Tight End — This position has boom-or-bust potential for the Bills. The team signed Charles Clay to a massive contract this offseason, and he should be a success if he can stay healthy. That’s a big if though, as he was rarely (if ever) operating at 100 percent last season. The team also doesn’t have a proven backup to him, and Chris Gragg, rookie Nick O’Leary and undrafted rookie Clay Burton will battle it out for the primary backup job during camp.

This position has boom-or-bust potential for the Bills. The team signed Charles Clay to a massive contract this offseason, and he should be a success if he can stay healthy. That’s a big if though, as he was rarely (if ever) operating at 100 percent last season. The team also doesn’t have a proven backup to him, and Chris Gragg, rookie Nick O’Leary and undrafted rookie Clay Burton will battle it out for the primary backup job during camp.

Offensive Line

John Miller Buffalo Bills Offensive Guard

Offensive Line

John Miller Buffalo Bills Offensive Guard — The Bills focused on fixing the offensive line this offseason. They will have two new starting guards in Richie Incognito and rookie John Miller, and they should be upgrades over what the team had last season. The Bills may have a new starting right tackle if Cyrus Kouandjio can stay healthy and beat out Seantrel Henderson for the starting job. It will also be fun to see veteran Wayne Hunter reunite with Rex Ryan after two years out of the NFL.

The Bills focused on fixing the offensive line this offseason. They will have two new starting guards in Richie Incognito and rookie John Miller, and they should be upgrades over what the team had last season. The Bills may have a new starting right tackle if Cyrus Kouandjio can stay healthy and beat out Seantrel Henderson for the starting job. It will also be fun to see veteran Wayne Hunter reunite with Rex Ryan after two years out of the NFL.

Defensive Line

Marcel Dareus Buffalo Bills Defensive Tackle

Defensive Line

Marcel Dareus Buffalo Bills Defensive Tackle — The four starters on the defensive line, Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, make up one of the best quartets in the league. They are great in all facets of the game, and they constantly put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The team also has really good depth, as they have veteran players Manny Lawson, Andre Fluellen and Michael Buchanan set to be backups for the team.

The four starters on the defensive line, Mario Williams, Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, make up one of the best quartets in the league. They are great in all facets of the game, and they constantly put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The team also has really good depth, as they have veteran players Manny Lawson, Andre Fluellen and Michael Buchanan set to be backups for the team.

Linebackers

Preston Brown Buffalo Bills Linebacker

Linebackers

Preston Brown Buffalo Bills Linebacker — This is the weakest unit on the Bills’ defense. Preston Brown started 14 games last season, his rookie year, and was a great middle linebacker. Nigel Bradham also had a good year, as he was great in pass coverage and in space. The team doesn’t have a third linebacker, and they may not need one if they run a 3-4 defense. If they do need one, Randell Johnson and rookies Tony Steward and AJ Tarpley will battle it out for the spot.

This is the weakest unit on the Bills’ defense. Preston Brown started 14 games last season, his rookie year, and was a great middle linebacker. Nigel Bradham also had a good year, as he was great in pass coverage and in space. The team doesn’t have a third linebacker, and they may not need one if they run a 3-4 defense. If they do need one, Randell Johnson and rookies Tony Steward and AJ Tarpley will battle it out for the spot.

Secondary

Stephon Gilmore Buffalo Bills Cornerback

Secondary

Stephon Gilmore Buffalo Bills Cornerback — Rex Ryan was unable to lure Darrelle Revis to Buffalo, but it wasn’t a big deal. Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin were solid last season, though the team’s ferocious pass rush helped their cause. Aaron Williams was good at safety last season, but he will have a new partner as Duke Williams and Corey Graham will battle it out to start next to him. Nickell Robey, Ronald Darby and Ron Brooks will jockey for position on the depth chart.

Rex Ryan was unable to lure Darrelle Revis to Buffalo, but it wasn’t a big deal. Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin were solid last season, though the team’s ferocious pass rush helped their cause. Aaron Williams was good at safety last season, but he will have a new partner as Duke Williams and Corey Graham will battle it out to start next to him. Nickell Robey, Ronald Darby and Ron Brooks will jockey for position on the depth chart.

Special Teams

Dan Carpenter Buffalo Bills Kicker

Special Teams

Dan Carpenter Buffalo Bills Kicker — Dan Carpenter will continue to be the starting kicker for the Bills. Punters Colton Schmidt and Jordan Gay will battle for the position, but Schmidt will likely hold on to the starting job. Percy Harvin, Sammy Watkins, Marqise Goodwin and Leodis McKelvin will battle it out for return duties, but I would imagine Harvin and Goodwin would have the best shot at winning the jobs.

Dan Carpenter will continue to be the starting kicker for the Bills. Punters Colton Schmidt and Jordan Gay will battle for the position, but Schmidt will likely hold on to the starting job. Percy Harvin, Sammy Watkins, Marqise Goodwin and Leodis McKelvin will battle it out for return duties, but I would imagine Harvin and Goodwin would have the best shot at winning the jobs.

Position Battle to Watch: Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor Buffalo Bills Quarterback

Position Battle to Watch: Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor Buffalo Bills Quarterback — The quarterback battle between Tyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel will obviously be the biggest battle. As mentioned earlier, there is no clear leader in the battle at the moment, but Taylor seems to be gaining steam heading into training camp.

The quarterback battle between Tyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel and Matt Cassel will obviously be the biggest battle. As mentioned earlier, there is no clear leader in the battle at the moment, but Taylor seems to be gaining steam heading into training camp.

Position Battle to Watch: Safety

Corey Graham Buffalo Bills Safety

Position Battle to Watch: Safety

Corey Graham Buffalo Bills Safety — The second most important battle will be for the starting safety position, where Corey Graham currently has the edge over Duke Williams. The veteran was one of the team’s best defensive backs last season, and if he can make the transition to safety, he should be able to beat out Williams for the job.

The second most important battle will be for the starting safety position, where Corey Graham currently has the edge over Duke Williams. The veteran was one of the team’s best defensive backs last season, and if he can make the transition to safety, he should be able to beat out Williams for the job.

Position Battle to Watch: Backup Running Back

Karlos Williams Buffalo Bills Running Back

Position Battle to Watch: Backup Running Back

Karlos Williams Buffalo Bills Running Back — The backup running back position will also be intriguing, as it will determine whether or not Fred Jackson will return to the team. Jackson will be favored early on, but the rookie Karlos Williams really could give Jackson a run for his money if he can impress Rex Ryan.

The backup running back position will also be intriguing, as it will determine whether or not Fred Jackson will return to the team. Jackson will be favored early on, but the rookie Karlos Williams really could give Jackson a run for his money if he can impress Rex Ryan.

Bills Training Camp Outlook

Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills Head Coach

Bills Training Camp Outlook

Rex Ryan Buffalo Bills Head Coach — A lot will be decided during Buffalo Bills training camp. The most important is obviously the quarterback position, but we will also get a look at how the team can do with Rex Ryan as the head coach. We will also get to see if Ryan runs a 4-3 defense or a 3-4 with hybrid sets, and that will be very important to the shape of the Bills’ defense. This will be the most important training camp for the Bills in the last decade.

A lot will be decided during Buffalo Bills training camp. The most important is obviously the quarterback position, but we will also get a look at how the team can do with Rex Ryan as the head coach. We will also get to see if Ryan runs a 4-3 defense or a 3-4 with hybrid sets, and that will be very important to the shape of the Bills’ defense. This will be the most important training camp for the Bills in the last decade.

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