Bills notebook: Meredith may get first start
The youngest starting offensive line in the NFL this decade may be getting even younger this week.
With Jonathan Scott questionable with a sprained ankle, the Buffalo Bills might start Jamon Meredith at right tackle against the New York Jets on Sunday.
If that happens, Meredith would be the third rookie starter on an offensive line that already includes guards Eric Wood and Andy Levitre. Throw in second-year left tackle Demetrius Bell and the Bills could have four linemen on the field who hadn't taken an NFL snap until this season.
Meredith worked with the first-team offense Wednesday, while Scott watched from the sideline. Scott wasn't at Thursday's practice during the time allotted for the media to watch.
Coach Dick Jauron wouldn't say if Meredith would start, but didn't rule it out either.
"You can count our numbers and Jonathan didn't practice, so we have seven healthy active players and they all rotate in and out," Jauron said earlier this week. "[Meredith] very well may have a chance to play on Sunday. We'll see what happens."
Meredith sounded like someone getting ready for his first NFL start.
"In this league a lot of injuries happen and opportunities happen, so it's just about seizing the moment," he said. "I'm looking forward to it and showing what I have. I'm glad I've got the opportunity."
The Bills' offensive line has been a problem all season, beginning with the decision to cut left tackle Langston Walker five days before the opener.
The Bills have used three different offensive line combinations through the first five games. Meredith would be the fourth player to start at right tackle.
The more experienced Kirk Chambers is another possibility to replace Scott, but Chambers' recent start at right tackle was disastrous as he gave up three sacks in the 38-10 loss at Miami.
The Bills signed Meredith off the Green Bay Packers' practice squad after right tackle Brad Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week Two. Meredith was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of April's draft out of South Carolina, where he started 38 games, including 30 at tackle.
"I was hoping I would and it was just a matter of time," Meredith said. "A little disappointed at first when I was on the practice squad, but guys showed me the path and now I've got an opportunity and I'm just thankful."
The Bills haven't confirmed they are scrapping the no-huddle offense, but it appears they may be huddling this week in New York.
Team sources said there have been huddles in practice. While that doesn't mean the no-huddle has been eliminated, it could be scaled back.
Whatever the case, the Bills are being awfully secretive about their plans for Sunday.
Jauron would take questions only about injuries during his post-practice media session, which is a departure from past Thursdays. When asked about the no-huddle, Jauron walked away without answering.
Members of the media are allowed to watch the first 10 to 15 minutes of individual and positional drills in practice. But with two minutes left Thursday, members of the Bills' media relations staff asked reporters to begin heading for the exit as the Bills were about to begin their team period.
The Bills have struggled offensively during their three-game losing streak, scoring just one offensive touchdown and 20 points overall. Many critics blame the no-huddle, which has not operated efficiently most of the season.
The team hoped the hurry-up approach would speed up tempo and create matchup advantages. But defenses have rarely been worn down or confused. Meanwhile, the Bills' offense has suffered from a number of problems, including nine false starts in last week's ugly 6-3 loss to Cleveland.
Safety Donte Whitner (thumb) and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (arm) participated fully in practice Thursday after being limited the day before. While nothing is official yet, all indications point to them starting Sunday.
Outside linebacker Keith Ellison (knee) and wide receiver Roscoe Parrish (thigh) were added to the injury list as limited practice participants. Ellison had a sore knee that limited his participation. Also limited were cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and wide receiver Josh Reed (leg). Jonathan Scott and strong safety Bryan Scott (high ankle) did not practice.
The Jets could be without starting wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring). Coach Rex Ryan said Cotchery "doesn't look very good" for Sunday.
Ryan expects defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee) and right tackle Damien Woody (foot) to start, but nickel back Donald Strickland (ankle) would play only if he's "really ready."
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