Injuries force line changes

The season-long game of musical chairs being played along the Buffalo Bills' offensive line will continue Sunday in Jacksonville. Rookie Andy Levitre will make his first NFL start at left tackle against the Jaguars, replacing Demetrius Bell, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Levitre, who has started all nine of the team's games this year at left guard, played the entire second half at left tackle last Sunday after Bell was hurt. Levitre played the position for 17 of his 39 career starts at Oregon State, but it is a brand new experience on the professional level. "I'd never actually taken [practice] snaps [at the position with the starters]," he said. "I'd only taken some with our scout team, so in that regard it's a little bit different. I'm working hard this week to re-familiarize myself with the position. I believe I can do the job." So do the Bills , which is why they didn't turn to either of their veteran tackles -- Jonathan Scott or Kirk Chambers. Perhaps the Bills remember the last time Scott and Chambers started together. They were overmatched, giving up six sacks in a 38-10 loss at Miami. It's not certain whether Scott or Chambers will start at right tackle in Jacksonville, but the Bills are sure Levitre is the best option on the left side. "Andy is an athlete, he's a Football player and he can probably play every position on the line," said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. "He's so strong when he gets his hands on guys they tend not to come off. The big thing for him is at the left tackle spot, he was obviously a natural at that in college. We had him suited better as a guard, but obviously with all his experience at left tackle in college we felt good to make the move there." At 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, Levitre hardly fits the prototype for an NFL left tackle. While he was able to play well in college at that size, the challenge is much greater in the NFL, where defensive ends are stronger, faster and more athletic. But the Bills were encouraged enough by Levitre's performance in Tennessee last Sunday to give him another shot. "It was kind of a difficult situation Andy was put into," said Bills offensive line coach Sean Kugler. "With Jonathan at home [father died] and Demetrius and Jamon [Meredith] hurt, we only had five linemen and Andy was the only guy who could play the position. He didn't give any pressures to [Titans pass-rushing defensive end Kyle] Vanden Bosch when he was in there and did some good things in the run game. He's been efficient all season. We'll leave him at left tackle and he'll do well. He's got some limitations, but he's a competitor and he'll battle." Having a new set of tackles would be nothing new. The team has used four pairs of starters in the first nine games. That total increases to five on Sunday. Injuries and inexperience have been the two biggest reasons for the Bills' struggles along the line. Starting right tackle Brad Butler was lost for the season after just two games, while Bell, Scott and Meredith have all started -- and been hurt -- at times. The team has eight offensive linemen on its roster -- not counting long snapper Garrison Sanbord -- including Bell and Meridith, who are still unavailable due to injuries. "There's not too many things you can do about it," Levitre said of the injuries. "You have no control over things like that." "It's been a difficult season with all the injuries we've had," Kugler said. "But they don't use it as an excuse and neither do we. They roll up their sleeves and go to work. These guys get in there and give you every thing they have. It's a pleasure to coach them." Van Pelt said there won't be any major changes to the offense under interim head coach Perry Fewell. The Bills will go with what they have, and that includes their patchwork offensive line. Levitre's time at left tackle probably isn't permanent, but it's a job he could have for several weeks -- barring injury, of course. "We'll see how it goes," he said. "I'll play left tackle as long as the coaches want me. Wherever I line up, I just want to do the best job I can to help this team. I feel I'm up to the challenge and I'm looking forward to it." e-mail: jskurski@buffnews.com and awilson@buffnews.com