Bills
BUFFALO BILLS: Bills linemen follow Fowler
ORCHARD PARK — Though he’s played in just 20 games as a member of the Buffalo Bills, Melvin Fowler is already the wily veteran along the offensive line.
Of course, when that line features three new starters and one player who switched positions midway through last season, Fowler’s status comes as less of a surprise.
“I definitely do (feel like the line’s veteran), mainly because I have a lot of responsibility out there in making sure guys are in the right position,” Fowler said.
Aside from his physical abilities, one of the big things the Bills liked about Fowler was his mental approach to the game.
“He’s very smart,” said Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally, a graduate of Kenmore West High School. “He’s the guy who calls all the directions, calls all the signals. We’ve got all these new guys and Melvin just about calls everybody’s blocking assignments, so he’s very important to us. He’s the glue, really.”
The new guys McNally refers to are right tackle Langston Walker, right guard Brad Butler and left guard Derrick Dockery. The other starter on the line, Jason Peters, switched from right tackle to left tackle midway through 2006.
Though the offense has struggled to put points on the board this season, the line’s performance has improved from where it was a year ago. The team spent $74 million in the offseason to bring in Dockery, Walker and reserve Jason Whittle (who’s since been placed on injured reserve), so it’s clear the team put a premium on improving its performance up front.
That’s happening, according to McNally.
“I thought last week (against the New York Jets), we had a pretty good game,” he said. “I would say we’re coming along. We’re not making many mental mistakes. ... I can’t say we’re world-beaters right now, but I’m not disappointed.”
Bills coach Dick Jauron shared similar sentiments.
“I think they’re playing well,” he said of the linemen. “I don’t think they’re playing as well as they’re going to play and it’s just going to take some time. There’s no way to get through it except to just keep playing games.”
If the Bills are to have any success against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, they’ll need to find a way to stay on the field. The Cowboys have a potent offensive attack that looks capable of putting up points against a banged-up Buffalo defense.
Fowler knows opening holes for running back Marshawn Lynch will go a long way toward staying on the field.
“Marshawn is running the ball very well,” Fowler said. “I have no doubt in my mind one of these days he’s going to break one.”
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