Bills’ McKinney could start, isn’t alone

By Anthony Bialy  |   Monday, April 13, 2009  |  Comments( 73 )

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It seems amusing that new Buffalo Bill Seth McKinney was born in Buffalo, Texas. But that’s only until one remembers it’s the same ridiculous town that temporarily changed its designation to “Blue Star” during the weekends when the Dallas Cowboys played the Bills in the Super Bowl, not to mention that they altered it to “Green Star” when the Dallas Stars cheated their way to a Stanley Cup in 1999. Still, McKinney's home’s betrayal to its name can’t be held against him, especially if he’s able to fill the Bills’ left guard fissure.

About to enter his eighth season, McKinney has started 45 of his 85 career games for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, the Texas A&M man has played both center and guard, a plus he shares with fellow newcomer and former Aggie Geoff Hangartner. It’s advantageous that both new blockers can play multiple positions; even better, the multi-option players are not the team’s only choices when it comes to forming this year’s line.

For one, Kirk Chambers acquitted himself fairly well under least year’s circumstances. He was forceful in run support while making a decent pass protection showing, being credited with allowing two sacks. He appeared in every game; that includes four starts, including one each at right guard and tackle and two at left tackle. Could he start permanently in a fourth spot?

While Chambers could be a left guard candidate, the Bills may want to keep him free to serve as the top tackle backup. Remaining a reserve could still eventually lead to playing time; after all, he could potentially replace Jason Peters if the malcontent is traded away.

Also, Chambers could take Peters’ spot if the latter stays and yet fails to improve on last year’s regrettable performance. The Bills can’t spend a second year letting Peters float on reputation and potential, and it’s entirely sensible to use Chambers as the tackle contingency.

Either way, there’s at least one more extra choice aside from Chambers. Namely, Demetrius Bell also has a chance to make it as a left guard. He came to the Bills more latently talented than refined; Bell didn’t even play organized football until college. Understandably, he didn’t see any game action as a rookie, but the seventh-rounder from 2008 could go straight into the lineup if his play matures sufficiently this summer. At the same time, it’s a comfortable situation from the team’s perspective, as Bell doesn’t need to be counted on to be the opening day starter.

McKinney’s signing is a promising sign. He’s a big, experienced blocker who signifies that Buffalo isn’t relying solely on the hope that youngsters will prove themselves capable of starting. Meanwhile, it’s also good to know that he’s not going to be handed a job. The Bills now have a handful of decent blockers who could start in a position left vacant when the team shed Derrick Dockery.

The position’s expectations appear far more promising than they did the moment when last year’s starter left. The Bills still could, and should, fortify the talent pool with a draftee or two later this month.

But, thanks to McKinney’s joining a few other possible alternatives, they can now wait until mid-afternoon Sunday to do so.
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CommentsComments: 73  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Kegman		06:54 AM
04/14/2009
Looks like the Bills O-line is a continuing work in progress according to AB. No telling what it will look like in 4 months. ...
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No.2
flda-dennis		07:17 AM
04/14/2009
The Bills have the sixth hardest schedule in tbe NFL PLUS no offensive line plus an aging defense with no pass rush plus at least ...
No.3
bflobob8		07:28 AM
04/14/2009
I really hope they trade Peters before the draft so i don't have to think of him or hear his name all the way thru September. Has ...
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