Tampa, Fla. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night in the final preseason game for both clubs.
Here are three things to watch:
Cole Bishop’s progress
Bishop was the only true starter to play last Sunday night in Chicago. I’d expect the same this week, as head coach Sean McDermott continues to say he wants the second-year safety to get more reps after coming back from injuries that caused him to miss most of training camp.
It didn’t go particularly well for Bishop - or the rest of the defense - against the Bears. He will look to bounce back this week, as he moves forward and towards Week 1.
Final wide receiver spots
Tyrell Shavers. Laviska Shenault Jr. K.J. Hamler. Even Elijah Moore and Curtis Samuel.
All are still vying to be on the final 53-man roster, but all have different circumstances that impact them. Moore and Samuel are most likely ahead of the others, but how far, and how secure are they?
Shavers has to show he can handle special teams duties, including covering punts as a gunner and covering kickoffs. Shenault Jr. and Hamler may need to do something special in the return game, if given the chance, to justify a spot over cornerback and punt returner Brandon Codrington.
It will be really interesting to see who gets how many snaps and in what roles.
Tyler Bass
Bass missed the majority of training camp and preseason with a pelvic injury. But by all indications, the Bills kicker will see his first action of the preseason on Saturday night.
Not that he’s in any danger of not making the team, but of course McDermott and the organization would love to feel comfortable and confident about his ability to make big kicks starting in a couple weeks when the regular season begins.
