The second preseason game is the tipping point of the summer for NFL teams.
It’s when the fun, out-of-nowhere training camp stories, underdog-starring late July novelties that refuel fans for football season, either vanish into thin air or mature into serious narratives for the regular season and beyond.
Will the fan-favorite journeyman actually work his way into the rotation when the games count? How about that Day 3 rookie? Or will they both fade to memory?
The first preseason week is a feeling-out process. After weeks cracking helmets against teammates — relatively gently, of course — the opening exhibition game allows players to dip their toes into the competitive waters once again. Coaches shake off play-calling rust.
Preseason game No. 2 is an entirely different animal.
Teams are now close to being fully settled in. They’ve gotten into the game-week groove. For some teams, this has become the dress rehearsal for the regular season, when starters get extensive first-half work before backups fight mercilessly for final spots on the 53-man. Others sit all the starters.
But the second preseason game tells us a lot.
And getting this preseason game after a spirited, full-bore joint practice makes for ideal timing for roster-curation. That’s precisely what the Bills are getting today after practicing the Browns on Thursday.
Can Ian Wheeler continue to steamroll the competition en route to chasing down Frank Gore Jr. for the primary practice squad runner or something more?
As promised, here's #Bills RB Ian Wheeler lowering his shoulder today in the joint practice with the Browns.
A thud loud enough that everyone could hear and one that got the entire Buffalo offense hyped up. Josh Allen said Wheeler is a "low runner" with a lot of power.@WGRZhttps://t.co/sErOib16h2pic.twitter.com/0NtIT8VBVU
Who will seize the opportunity as WR5 or WR6 with a bevy of Buffalo receivers sidelined with injury? Does Skyler Bell see the field for his first NFL action after missing the opening preseasong game?
Who seizes the starting left guard job? How about backup center? And what does Jim Leonhard do with three inside linebackers vying for two jobs at that position? How does safety shake out? Who’s named Buffalo’s main big nickel defender? How about the safeties behind CJ Gardner-Johnson and Cole Bishop?
Heck, the Bills are suddenly loaded at tight end too — don’t forget about Keleki Latu and veteran Shane Zylstra, both of whom turned in quality performances against Carolina a week ago. A lot remains unanswered. For now.
Regular-season decisions will be made based on the individual efforts given by Bills players today.
That’s what makes preseason game No. 2 so darn important.
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