LifetimeBillsFan
07-30-2006, 04:59 AM
A decent article about the Bills offensive line from today's Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:
"Familiar task awaits Buffalo Bills line
New starters need chemistry to get the offense on track
Leo Roth
Staff writer
(July 30, 2006) — PITTSFORD — Free agent guard Tutan Reyes, who started last season for a playoff team in Carolina, knows what a good offensive line in the NFL looks like.
That makes him a rare source for insight at the Buffalo Bills training camp, where fans and media — not to mention a lot of quarterbacks and running backs — haven't seen one for oh, about a decade.
"A good line has a lot of continuity, guys on the same page, knowing where to go, working as one cohesive unit and everybody having each other's back," Reyes said. "And I believe we're definitely on our way here."
Reyes, a seven-year veteran, started 28 games over two seasons for the Panthers, an 11-5 playoff team a year ago that operated with great efficiency. Carolina ranked sixth in passing average, sixth on third-down conversions, 12th in sacks allowed and eighth in scoring points.
And the Bills, who finished 5-11?
They were 29th in passing yards, 27th in sacks allowed, 20th in converting third downs, and 24th in scoring points.
The inconsistent and often feeble play by the offensive line (this is a recording) was a critical reason why Buffalo's new leadership regime called in the wrecking ball.
Jettisoned were regulars Bennie Anderson, Trey Teague and Mike Williams.
Added were Melvin Fowler and Reyes, young free agent veterans with experience. Promoted permanently to right tackle was Jason Peters, who replaced Williams — the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft and one of the biggest busts in NFL history — last year and started the final nine games.
General manager Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron also looked to replenish depth, re-signing versatile Greg Jerman along with veteran Aaron Gibson, a former starter in Chicago looking for a fresh start. They also drafted three linemen (Brad Butler, Terrance Pennington and Aaron Merz), most at the position in one year since 1993...."
URL: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060730/SPORTS03/607300342/1007/SPORTS
A sidebar to the article reports that John McCargo was reportedly taken to Strong Memorial Hospital at 6:30 pm on Saturday night.
"Familiar task awaits Buffalo Bills line
New starters need chemistry to get the offense on track
Leo Roth
Staff writer
(July 30, 2006) — PITTSFORD — Free agent guard Tutan Reyes, who started last season for a playoff team in Carolina, knows what a good offensive line in the NFL looks like.
That makes him a rare source for insight at the Buffalo Bills training camp, where fans and media — not to mention a lot of quarterbacks and running backs — haven't seen one for oh, about a decade.
"A good line has a lot of continuity, guys on the same page, knowing where to go, working as one cohesive unit and everybody having each other's back," Reyes said. "And I believe we're definitely on our way here."
Reyes, a seven-year veteran, started 28 games over two seasons for the Panthers, an 11-5 playoff team a year ago that operated with great efficiency. Carolina ranked sixth in passing average, sixth on third-down conversions, 12th in sacks allowed and eighth in scoring points.
And the Bills, who finished 5-11?
They were 29th in passing yards, 27th in sacks allowed, 20th in converting third downs, and 24th in scoring points.
The inconsistent and often feeble play by the offensive line (this is a recording) was a critical reason why Buffalo's new leadership regime called in the wrecking ball.
Jettisoned were regulars Bennie Anderson, Trey Teague and Mike Williams.
Added were Melvin Fowler and Reyes, young free agent veterans with experience. Promoted permanently to right tackle was Jason Peters, who replaced Williams — the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft and one of the biggest busts in NFL history — last year and started the final nine games.
General manager Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron also looked to replenish depth, re-signing versatile Greg Jerman along with veteran Aaron Gibson, a former starter in Chicago looking for a fresh start. They also drafted three linemen (Brad Butler, Terrance Pennington and Aaron Merz), most at the position in one year since 1993...."
URL: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060730/SPORTS03/607300342/1007/SPORTS
A sidebar to the article reports that John McCargo was reportedly taken to Strong Memorial Hospital at 6:30 pm on Saturday night.