Offensive line could be a problem...again

   Some of the most knowledgable football personnel believe that football games are won in the trenches. 
   To them, having a good offensive line is not an option.  The big guys are vital in giving the quarterbacks and receivers time to work, and equally important in opening lanes for running backs to grind out yardage.  
   Not so much with the Buffalo Bills.

Eric Wood

   Going all the way back to 1993 and 1994 - when Buffalo allowed Pro-Bowl starters Will Wolford, Howard Ballard and Jim Ritcher to leave during the first years of free agency - the offensive line has proven to be one of the lowest of team priorities.
   The most notable instance was during the underachieving Tom Donahoe era, from 2001 to 2005.  Although the Bills were incredibly agressive in bringing top veteran talent into town, such as Drew Bledsoe, Takeo Spikes, London Fletcher, Sam Adams, Troy Vincent and Lawyer Milloy, it all ultimately fell apart because the team's offensive line was sub-par.

   Unfortunately, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey appear to be going the same route when it comes to the offensive line.
   In their first offseason overhauling the roster, Nix and Gailey passed on several first-round caliber offensive line prospects to draft a running back incapable of carrying the ball more than 20 times a game.  They continued to completely ignore the position until the fifth round, finally taking tackle Ed Wang.  Their only pre-season free agent addition was Raider-reject Cornell Green.
   In April of this year, Nix and Gailey focused almost solely on stocking the defensive side of the ball, and chose to only draft one offensive lineman (tackle Chris Hairston in the fourth round).  During the recent free agent process, the Bills unsuccessfully attempted to sign Pro-Bowler Tyson Clabo from Atlanta, but apparently had no backup plan when that effort failed.

Demetrius Bell

   So here we are, only a few days away from the first preseason game.  The Bills are fielding virtually the same group as they did in 2010.  Word out of training camp is that the offensive line is getting consistently abused by pass rushers during practice.  One minor injury (to starting left tackle Demetrius Bell) has already exposed the lack of quality depth on the outside.
   Nevertheless, the Bills front office is high on the "potential" of a group consisting mostly of late-round projects and veteran castoffs.  It's a lot to ask, but hopefully Nix and Gailey are seeing something that isn't visible from outside the organization.  If not, it could be another long season for the Bills offense.
   Here's how the lineup breaks down:

Center/Left Guard:
    The Russ Brandon/Dick Jauron regime left quite a mess to fix. But fortunately, before getting the boot they did spend some high draft picks in 2009 on talented interior linemen Eric Wood and Andy Levitre.  And (not suprisingly) those two youngsters are the only spots on the line the Bills can safely count on.  Both are tough and physical players, with high expectations and plenty of room to improve their game.
   Wood has suffered with some injury problems and entering the season, he will have to get used to playing center again (his old college position.)  Understandably, there could be some growing pains.  At left guard, Levitre has started every game since his rookie season and despite some low points, has been the team's most consistent lineman.  If both stay healthy and continue to develop, the Bills will be solid on two out of five starting spots.

Left Tackle:
   The team has been patient at the left tackle position, hoping Bell would take advantage of his great physical attributes and athletic ability.  After suffering through his numerous blown assignments and devastating penalties, coaches believe the third-year player is finally ready to breakout.
   Bell made strides in his overall play and understanding of the game during 2010, and enters this season fully healthy.  But he still has a long way to go before the Bills can feel comfortable with the quarterback's blindside.  And with left tackle being (arguably) the most important position on the line, there isn't a lot of room for error.

Right Guard/Tackle:
   The rest of the line is a massive hole, with Bills officials hoping someone will step up from a slew of mediocre journeymen and development projects.  That list includes:

• Kraig Urbik (guard):  signed off waivers from Pittsburgh last year and coming off a knee injury; started two games last year
• Geoff Hangartner (center/guard): started the last couple years at center, but more likely suited to a backup role
• Chad Rinehart (guard): injuries forced the Bills to call him up from the practice squad last season; started three games
• Erik Pears (tackle): spent five seasons with Denver, Oakland and Jacksonville before joining Buffalo; started one game for the Bills
• Ed Wang (tackle): still a development project in his second season; looked terrible in practice this week
• Mansfield Wrotto (guard/tackle):  a castoff from Seattle's bench; started seven games last year on an injury riddle line
• Chris Hairston (tackle):  rookie; expected to take some time to develop

   There is no doubt that teams can get by without Pro Bowl talent on the line, especially when they "gel" and start working together.  Weak points can be disguised by creating blocking schemes that maximize protection and help less talented players with double teams.  Quarterbacks can assist by making faster decisions.
   But that can only go so far.  The Bills have settled for years of passing on the big guys during the draft and staying passive in free agency, leaving them with a lack of skill up front.  For 2011, they will have to cross their fingers and hope for massive improvement from at least three of their five starting spots - assuming they aren't struck by the injury bug again.
   Odds are that Buffalo will again struggle with pass protection and opening lanes for the backs - meaning the offensive line will hold the team back...again.