Buffalo's new-look offensive line braces for Rams

By NICK MENDOLA - Associated Press
    2012-12-07 14:41

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Protecting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick could be an issue on Sunday when the Buffalo Bills (5-7) host St. Louis' strong pass rush.

Buffalo's offensive line is in patchwork mode after injuries to center Eric Wood and tackle Chris Hairston. In fact, two players - Sam Young and David Snow - will make their first NFL career starts vs. the Rams (5-6-1).

``It's insane how many guys we lose every year,'' said Kraig Urbik, who will start at center or right guard. ``It's not like guys are just wearing down. These are actual, physical injuries.''

The Rams have the NFL's fourth-best sack total (34) and those numbers might spike up Sunday. St. Louis is paced by former first-round picks Robert Quinn and Chris Long, who have registered 8 1/2 and seven sacks, respectively.

``They bring a lot of pressure,'' said Snow, a 6-foot-4, 303-pound rookie out of Texas who can play center and guard. ``It's evident that they're a very good defense. It'll be fun to play them.''

Snow, 23, saw his first NFL action against Jacksonville last week. Young, 25, is a 6-foot-8, 316-pound tackle in his third season out of Notre Dame who will line up vs. Long.

``It's a great chance to compete against a great defensive end,'' Young said. ``He's had a lot of production this year and it's a good opportunity for me to test where I'm at.''

The new crew has a lot to live up to. The Bills have allowed the sixth-fewest sacks (20) in the NFL despite using five different starters at right guard or right tackle.

Whatever the combination on Sunday, the Rams are just going to have to wait to figure it out. Buffalo coach Chan Gailey is keeping his alignment close to the vest, and likes it that way. Urbik or Snow, after all, could play center or guard, or both.

``This might be overall as athletic of a defensive front as we have played all season,'' Gailey said. ``You look at all the guys they rotate through there. They are playing extremely well right now and it will be a challenge for (Young) and David (Snow).

The Bills practiced indoors Friday after spending Thursday outdoors. Gailey said receiver Donald Jones will return to the lineup and that Stevie Johnson (questionable) has improved. How Johnson feels on Saturday, though, will be a key to Gailey's ultimate decision.

Gailey listed cornerback Aaron Williams as questionable.

``It'll be close,'' he said.

Leodis McKelvin is also questionable, as is Spencer Johnson, Chris White and Justin Rogers. Defensive end Mark Anderson, like Wood, is out.

---

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Zach ErtzMay 24 11:42a

Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz, the team's second-round draft pick, is unable to participate in organized team activities because of NFL rules until he graduates from college at Stanford.

Tramon WilliamsMay 24 10:52a

Green Bay Packers CB Tramon Williams' (shoulder) nerve damage in his shoulder has drastically healed due to a workout regimen that includes yoga and jump ropes.

Joseph MorganMay 24 10:32a

New Orleans Saints WR Joe Morgan said he'll have to work on his intermediate route running to win the No. 3 receiver spot. Six of his 10 receptions last [ More ]

Greg HardyMay 24 09:22a

Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy dropped 15 pounds in the offseason hoping to improve his speed rush. Hardy broke out with 11 sacks in 2012 after having seven combined in his first two years.

Mike WilliamsMay 24 08:42a

Free-agent WR Mike X. Williams (Seahawks) is attempting another comeback after signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Pierre GarconMay 24 08:22a

Updating previous reports, Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder, foot) underwent minor labrum surgery in January. He has recovered from the surgery and should be ready for training camp.

Danario AlexanderMay 24 01:15a

San Diego Chargers WR Danario Alexander looked fluid in making back-shoulder catches in practice Monday, May 20. He claims he's at full speed, a contrast to his injured May [ More ]

Joe McKnightMay 24 01:15a

New York Jets RB Chris Ivory impressed in practice Wednesday, May 22, and is lining up to be the feature back. Mike Goodson's legal troubles are jeopardizing his future [ More ]

Jared AllenMay 24 01:02a

Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), who's a free agent after this year, has 'absolutely no idea' where he'll wind up in 2014. 'Best-case scenario would have been [ More ]

Robert MeachemMay 24 01:02a

If San Diego Chargers WR Robert Meachem has a strong preseason, the club could see if there's an active trade market for him. His $6.875 million cap number, however, [ More ]

B. MeriweatherMay 23 10:02p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he expects FS Brandon Meriweather (knee) to be a full participant once training camp begins.

Pierre GarconMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said WR Pierre Garcon (foot) is about 90 percent recovered from his foot surgery and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

Fred DavisMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said TE Fred Davis (Achilles') is about 90 percent recovered from his Achilles' tendon injury and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

London FletcherMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he told LB London Fletcher (elbow, ankle) that he could sit out the rest of the organized team activities, but Fletcher told [ More ]

Brian OrakpoMay 23 09:42p

Washington Redskins LB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DT Chris Neild (knee) were able to fully participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Quentin GrovesMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns LB Jabaal Sheard said he believes he can be part of an impactful outside linebacker rotation with LB Barkevious Mingo, LB Paul Kruger and LB Quentin Groves [ More ]

Dion LewisMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said the team is giving CB Buster Skrine and S Johnson Bademosi reps as kick returners during organized team activities. Tabor said [ More ]

Sam BradfordMay 23 09:12p

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford has been working on routes and throws with WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey during offseason workouts.

Matt JohnsonMay 23 08:52p

Dallas Cowboys FS Matt Johnson said he believes he suffered hamstring injuries last season because he was using too much weight while doing squats in the weight room and [ More ]

Roy MillerMay 23 08:42p

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Roy Miller (knee) was limited to individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of knee tendonitis.

Tony MoeakiMay 23 07:22p

Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki (knee) is unlikely to be on the practice field until training camp in July. Moeaki has been watching from the sidelines during organized team activities this week.

DeSean JacksonMay 23 06:32p

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly confirmed that he prefers larger and taller players at most positions on his team, but he's in favor of protecting his smaller players [ More ]

Pierre GarconMay 23 04:32p

Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder) underwent minor labrum surgery in January but has fully recovered. He was held out of team drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, as a precaution.

Greg RomeusMay 23 03:43p

The New Orleans Saints have waived DE Greg Romeus.

Scott ChandlerMay 23 03:43p

Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler (knee) has been running well at offseason workouts and believes he could be ready for the start of training camp. Chandler has started running [ More ]

Brian UrlacherMay 23 03:32p

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said the Dallas Cowboys were one of the team's that intrigued him if he were to have signed with another team other than the Chicago [ More ]

Trent RichardsonMay 23 03:23p

Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said RB Trent Richardson (leg) will not participate in organized team activities next week and could sit out the team minicamp in early [ More ]

Stephen NicholasMay 23 03:12p

Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason [ More ]

Jon BeasonMay 23 03:02p

Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason (knee, shoulder) was able to participate in individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Charles BrownMay 23 02:53p

New Orleans Saints OT Charles Brown (undisclosed) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of an undisclosed injury. Head coach Sean Payton would not specify [ More ]

Maurice HurtMay 23 02:52p

Washington Redskins OG Josh LeRibeus (groin) and OT Maurice Hurt (groin) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of groin injuries.

Keenan LewisMay 23 02:42p

New Orleans Saints CBs Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson worked with the first-team defense during organized team activities Thursday, May 23. Head coach Sean Payton said people should not [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group