Buffalo Bills rookie is already turning heads after teammate’s injury and it’s put the team in a win-win situation no matter what
Spring football is all about opportunity and one Buffalo Bills rookie is making sure he gets as many swings in as possible while his teammate nurses an unspecified injury.
The Buffalo Bills have a question at linebacker next to Terrel Bernard and fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr might just be the answer.
At least that’s the trend after Elarms-Orr’s strong showing during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Elarms-Orr was set to battle it out with Dorian Williams, who started nine games last year, but the latter has been unable to take part in practice due to an unspecified lower body injury.
Williams’ absence opened the door for the former Florida Gator and so far, he’s taken advantage of the opportunity in front of him.
“It’s not too big for him. He doesn’t blink,” Joe Brady told reporters a while back. “Again, I never want guys to get injured, but with injuries or if guys aren’t here, it’s just reps and opportunities for other people.
“Like, I remember, there was one of the early days, he was in the huddle about to call the defense, and I was talking on the defense, and he actually snapped. I don’t think he knew it was me, but I loved it. You know, it’s like this is his huddle, take control, like you’re the Mike linebacker, and roll with it.”
Elarms-Orr had an opportunity this offseason and took advantage of it. Linebacker Dorian Williams wasn’t on the field during OTAs and minicamp due to an unspecified lower-body injury. With the increased snaps, Elarms-Orr made an impression in the battle for the open inside linebacker job next to Terrel Bernard.
alaina getzenberg
ESPN
Elarms-Orr’s development is a win-win for the Bills no matter what happens
Sure, any fan wants their favorite team to be loaded on the forefront when it comes to all 11 starters on both sides of the ball (don’t forget special teams, either), but we all know that’s impossible when considering how the NFL is set up.
What teams can bulk up on, however, is depth. And oftentimes, good depth is just as valuable as a strong starting 11. I mean, this is football. We all know injuries are bound to happen at some point and whomever is next line could be the difference between a win and a loss.
That’s why the Bills are in a win-win situation, no matter what happens with Elarms-Orr in the coming months. For one, the rookie could completely take control of the starting job and become a better starting option than Williams, who would then provide solid depth.
And it’s vice-versa, as well. Let’s say a healthy Williams comes in and passes Elarms-Orr by. Well, the rookie has made enough strides and has had enough snaps at that point where his development has been accelerated. And again, he’d provide solid depth in this hypothetical.
“He has the right makeup, and I kind of love it,” said Brady. “He has an edge to him, and he’s willing to do whatever he’s got to do. … In the NFL, that’s all you can ask for, is just those opportunities, and he’s gotten a lot of them, and it’s been really good for him.”
Sure, there’s still a long way to go before anything is set in stone, but this is exactly what you want to hear when it comes to the development of a Day 3 draft pick. Especially when the more-experienced player competing with him is injured.