ORCHARD PARK —
Two completions — one deep and another a check-down — went a long way in providing quarterback Vince Young the edge in the fight to be the Buffalo Bills’ backup.
Without making any guarantees, coach Chan Gailey announced after practice Monday that Young has performed well enough in two preseason games to earn more playing time with the second team offense heading into this weekend’s preseason game against Pittsburgh.
“Oh yeah, he’s got the edge or I wouldn’t have given him more reps,” Gailey said. “He’s made more things happen, so you’ve got to give him credit for that.”
Gailey’s announcement came after the Bills returned from a two-day break following a 36-14 preseason loss at Minnesota on Friday. Despite the lopsided score, it was a game in which Young showed how quickly he’s become comfortable with Gailey’s offense since signing a one-year contract with the Bills in mid-May.
Young has spent the offseason and training camp competing with returning backup Tyler Thipgen for the No. 2 job. The loser of the competition is expected to be cut because the third-string job is going to receiver/wildcat specialist Brad Smith.
Young took a big step forward after going 8-for-14 for a team-leading 123 yards passing and engineering a touchdown drive against Minnesota.
The seventh-year player and two-time Pro Bowl selection opened the second half by hitting T.J. Graham in stride for a 64-yard completion. On the next play, Young was credited for changing the call at the line, and dumping a short pass to halfback Dorin Dickerson for a 14-yard gain that put Buffalo on the Vikings’ 2-yard line.
Tashard Choice scored on a 1-yard run two plays later.
Thigpen, by comparison, hurt his chances by going 8 of 15 for 56 yards, and throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown with 3:18 left that put the game out of reach.
Gailey said the test now for Young is to see how he can handle more responsibility and an expanded game plan.
“It’s definitely good news,” said Young, who has gone from being the NFL’s 2006 offensive rookie of the year with Tennessee to being on his third team in three years. “It’s opportunity, man. That’s all you can ask for.”
Gailey had even more to announce on an eventful day that began with the Bills releasing veteran defensive end Shawne Merriman. The coach said rookie second-round pick Cordy Glenn had won the starting left tackle job.
Gailey made the decision in part because Chris Hairston will continue starting at right tackle in place of Erik Pears, who continues to be sidelined by a nagging groin/hernia injury. Hairston was expected to compete with Glenn to start on the left side.
Starting right defensive end Mark Anderson was held out of practice Monday due to a groin injury that Gailey said has nagged the player for the past three weeks. Gailey didn’t say how much time Anderson is expected to miss.
Dickerson missed practice due to a thigh/hip injury, and it’s uncertain whether the halfback will play against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Bills
Related Photos
-
Buffalo Bills quarterback Vince Young throws a pass during the Bills' preseason game against the Washington Redskins on Aug. 9 in Orchard Park. Head coach Chan Gailey has named Young as the front-runner for the team's back-up quarterback position behind veteran starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. AP Photo
Gailey: Young has edge as Bills backup QB
Bills host the Steelers at 7 p.m. Saturday.
- Bills
-
-
Bills make expected move
Doug Whaley is promoted to take over as Buffalo Bills general manager, making the team’s near top-to-bottom offseason overhaul complete.
-
Together again
A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.
-
Bills select E.J. Manuel in the first round
After trading down, the Buffalo Bills still landed the player they desired, selecting Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel with the 16th pick in the 2013 NFL draft on Thursday.
-
Put'n out the Fitz
The Buffalo Bills are moving on without Ryan Fitzpatrick, after releasing the veteran quarterback after two-plus inconsistent seasons as starter.
-
Lights out on the career of Bills' LB Merriman
Linebacker Shawne Merriman is calling it “Lights Out” on his career.
-
Bills hire Doug Marrone as new head coach
It's official: Doug Marrone is the new Buffalo Bills' head coach.
-
Bills fire Chan Gailey
The Bills fired Chan Gailey on Monday after he failed to deliver on his vow to transform a losing franchise into a playoff contender.
-
Bills Ground the Jets
Closing the season with a mean-nothing win was of little consolation for Buffalo Bills safety Bryan Scott.
-
Russell Wilson soars as Seahawks rout Bills 50-17
It wasn't that long ago when Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was worried about overwhelming rookie quarterback Russell Wilson with too much information.
-
Rams down the punchless Bills
The St. Louis Rams are staying in the playoff race by suddenly showing they can win in the clutch.
- More Bills Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
