Can you believe that training camp is here again? Buffalo News Bills beat reporter Jay Skurski preps us on story lines to watch as the veterans report to St. John Fisher College today.
On what fans can expect to see out of the new defensive rookies this summer, Jay was straightforward. “Reggie Ragland, I think you could kind of tell from the moment that he got drafted, when you look at that position, inside linebacker, that he figures to fit in pretty well. And I think it just goes to show really what they set out to do this offseason and that’s rebuild the defense with players that fit Rex Ryan’s scheme.”
“I think Rex Ryan had a huge hand in this draft. When you look at especially the first three picks, they are committed to trying to do anything they can to fix this defense. And I think there’s going to be immense pressure on Rex Ryan this year to turn this defense around. To me, I think how that defense comes together, and how they’re able to turn it around is probably the story of training camp to follow. Obviously we won’t really get answers until September, but we’ll start to get an idea of how things are going pretty early and for me that’s what I’m gonna be following most closely.”
If the Bills fail to make the playoffs for a 17th straight season, Jay did not mince words as to the likely futures of both head coach Rex Ryan and GM Doug Whaley. “I think that all depends on the way the season goes. If they go 4-12, or 5-11, I don’t think there’s any question that a clean sweep at the top of the organization would be in play here. If they go 10-6 and it’s one of those weird years in the AFC where even a good record like 10-6 doesn’t get in the playoffs, then I think they could both be back and you could probably make a pretty easy case for that.”
Jay continued, “so I think a lot of it depends on how the feeling of the season goes. If it feels like they totally just hit rock bottom then of course both jobs are at stake. If it feels like they’ve made significant progress moving forward, and for whatever reason just with the way that things worked out in the AFC and they don’t make it, I think both could be back.”
For the complete training camp preview with Jay Skurski, click on the interview below.
