Saturday, June 30, 2012

No. 2 receiver label means little on Bills' depth chart

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Bills have a little competition going on this offseason for their No. 2 receiver gig, though it's just as much competition for a label as it is for actual playing time.

Returner Donald Jones is supposedly the leader in the clubhouse to win the job, but Jones has reportedly worked mostly out of the slot during OTAs. He's battling with rookie T.J. Graham and returners Marcus Easley and Derek Hagan, among others, for a spot high on the depth chart. David Nelson will also see plenty of time from the slot.

Regardless, the difference between the No. 2, No. 3 and even No. 4 wideout tag on Buffalo's roster is marginal, according to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"We're not in a lot of two wide receiver sets," Fitzpatrick told BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown this week. "We're three, four wide receiver sets, getting everybody on the field.

"So for guys to be versatile, to be able to play all those spots. those are the guys that are really going to help us out."

Basically, the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers will likely see a comparable amount of time and passes, with clear-cut No. 1 wideout Stevie Johnson as Fitzpatrick's No. 1 target.

Jones has worked both in the slot and outside, but despite a big five-catch, 101-yard game against the Patriots last season, he still sports questionable hands. Buffalo will likely give Graham every chance to succeed, having taken him relatively early (third round) in the the 2012 draft.

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