#16: Who Will Start At Right Guard? - Buffalo Bills
excerpt:
And by the sound of it Brad Butler, Duke Preston and Jason Whittle better perform well during the first week of practices at St. John Fisher because the coaching staff wants to establish who their starting five are quickly.
"We've got to make that decision soon," said offensive line coach Jim McNally. "The faster we get a guy there working with Langston Walker and entrenched at that position the better. I don't think we'll take very long. It might go a week into training camp and then its here are our five and let's go."
Duke Preston inherited the starting right guard position last season when veteran Chris Villarrial was placed on injured reserve. By the time the 2006 season was over Preston had eight starts under his belt. Preston was steady, but not spectacular prompting GM Marv Levy to publicly demand more from the now third-year player.
"I hope Preston makes a long step forward," said Levy in February. "It's time. Some guys have to make a long step forward right now. Duke is one. It's time to find out."
"I've had a chance to start and play and get some experience," said Preston. "But it gets to a point where they see my potential and it's just a matter of seeing whether or not I can realize all of it. I really have to take the next step and play consistently all the time."
Preston admits there were games last season where he played very well for a half and then struggled for a couple of series before recovering and performing well again the rest of the game.
"For me it's about finding that consistency and just playing well all the time," said Preston. "If I am the starter and I'm the guy at right guard then they need to see that. I think I'm ready to take that step and play well on a consistent basis."
Nevertheless Preston isn't surprised he's got two other linemen breathing down his neck for the chance to start at the right guard spot.
"That's the business," Preston said. "If they didn't have people pushing you it wouldn't happen for you. There's almost never a situation where someone is handed a spot. You come to expect competition and it is what it is. You put your best foot forward and let everything else take care of itself."
In the spring camps Preston was alternated with veteran free agent signee Jason Whittle at the starting right guard spot. The two rotated every other day as one of them manned right guard, while the other assumed the backup center role.
Whittle certainly has the edge in experience over Preston having spent eight years in the NFL trenches. He also has a history with McNally.
"I coached him with the Giants and we went to the playoffs with him at right guard," said McNally. "He is one nasty guy. He can run fast and pull. He is outstanding in space and he can catch linebackers and finishes blocks. He's smart, has experience and offers leadership."
Whittle has 42 career starts, but just two over the last two seasons. He's more than capable to start at the position, but it remains to be seen if the staff sees him as an upgrade or a valuable backup. Either way the very professional Whittle is prepared to take whatever opportunity comes his way.
"I'm just going to give everything I've got and wherever the coaches decide to put me will be great," said Whittle. "I'm going to try to help some of the younger guys develop and try and be a leader on this team and get us to where we need to be."
Capable of matching Whittle's tenacity and fiery on-field demeanor is second-year lineman Brad Butler. You wouldn't know it by talking to him off the field, but Butler effectively flips the switch when the helmet goes on.
"I think it's something you learn as you get older," said Butler of turning his intensity up when he steps on the field. "It's something my college coach taught me. You can't be hyped up all the time."
Butler, a University of Virginia product, has had his share of on field scuffles in his time and actually got into it during practice on one occasion with former college and current teammate Angelo Crowell.
"His senior year was my freshman year and we had a drill where we had to go down the field and cut linebackers, which you don't usually do in practice," said Butler. "And he and I got into it a little bit."
The reason Butler's on field intensity didn't reveal itself in training camp last year was because he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. His physical strength was compromised last summer, but that hindrance is in the rearview mirror now.
That's why Butler feels the greatest stride he's made in his game is with his overall strength. Knowing he was a candidate for the right guard spot he committed himself to staying in Buffalo the entire offseason. The coaches have noticed a difference.
"We like his size and quickness," said McNally. "He's a big guard. He didn't know guard last year, so last year he played guard and tackle, and this spring we wanted him to know guard very well."
Butler spent all spring working at right guard with the second unit.
Entering training camp it looks to be primarily a two man race between Preston and Whittle, but when the pads go on Butler could take a noticeable leap forward as physical play and nastiness are his strong suit. Butler's superior size to Preston and Whittle also makes him a viable part of this competition.
Bills still don't have a RG
Bills still don't have a RG
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