[BangTheBook]

FRIDAY'S GAMES 8/10/07

Buffalo Bills - QB Rotation: J.P. Losman (12-15 plays), Craig Nall, rookie Trent Edwards, Kevin Eakin (see below).

HC Dick Jauron said J.P. Losman will start at quarterback and play "a little." He'll be followed by Craig Nall and Trent Edwards who is expected to get the bulk of the work Friday. NFL Europe QB Kevin Eakin may get a chance for a few reps at the end of the game.

The starters for the Bills however, won't be seeing much action Friday as is usually the case under head coach Dick Jauron.

"Our first group, both sides of the ball will probably play somewhere between 12 and 15 plays," Jauron said. "It just depends on how it goes. If it goes real well that may just be one drive and you'd love it to be that way. If it goes real poorly it may be three drives. You just don't know. Then we'll get everybody in that we'll can. I would say that most of the guys will play."

"We just want to go out there and be crisp," said Losman. "We know it's our first game, but we want to try to avoid any kind of complications. The plays he'll be giving us I'm sure will be pretty vanilla so we just want to be sharp on those and keep the chains moving and have a good drive of 12 or 15 plays and then they said we'll be out of there."

At running back Anthony Thomas is expected to get the start followed by Marshawn Lynch and the other candidates in the offensive backfield.

It's anticipated that Duke Preston will start at right guard with Jason Whittle rotating in quickly. Throughout training camp Preston has been the first one rotating in at right guard during that competition.

After two weeks of training camp the Bills are ready to get some live hitting in with another NFL team. "There's been some pushing and shoving, guys are frustrated and they want to let loose," said QB J.P. Losman. "These guys are pretty much animals when they step on this field and that's what this game is about. They'll be able to get their chance on Friday."

The offensive line is starting to get hit with some injuries. Second-year man Brad Butler, who was involved in the competition at right guard, has been out almost a week with a hamstring injury, and as he continues to limp, he doesn't look close to returning to practice. Now second-year man Aaron Merz is sitting out with a shoulder injury.

Starting safety Donte Whitner continues to be shelved by a stomach ailment, and there's a chance that he might not be able to play in Friday.

Cornerback depth a concern: They dealt Nate Clements in the offseason, and 8-year veteran CB Jason Webster has missed two practices with a leg injury. Other CB options are Kiwaukee Thomas, Ashton Youboty and Jabari Greer. "Webster is ahead of those guys, but we need depth at that position," Bills defensive backs coach George Catavolos said.

Rookie Paul Posluszny has been taking most of the reps with the first team at middle linebacker.

"I do believe we're a fast defense," Jauron said.

New Orleans Saints - QB Rotation: Drew Brees (1st Q), rookie Tyler Palko (2nd + 3rd Qs), Jamie Martin, Jason Fife.

HC Sean Payton expects his starters to play about a quarter in Friday. Rookie Tyler Palko will follow and play into the second half. He'll use the same plan he did in the first preseason game last year at Tennessee even though the Saints already have one game under their belts.

"Depending on the number of snaps, it might be a quarter or a little into the second quarter on one side of the ball or the other," Payton said.

RB Deuce McAllister will likely start after sitting out the exhibition opener Sunday. Strong safety Roman Harper, who was also held out last week, could also see his first action of the preseason.

Second game for the Saints, after opening in the Hall of Fame Game (8/5).

Offensive line woes: Saints starting left tackle Jammal Brown (knee) has a knee bruise and will be out a week.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said of the loss to the Steelers: "I thought we were sloppy, sluggish. I thought they were more physical than us." When asked what disappointed him most, Payton said, "All three phases of it."

The defense was stymied by the same problem that plagued it last season -- giving up too many big plays. In the first half, the Saints allowed eight plays of more than 10 yards. The Saints need to upgrade cornerback more than any other position on the roster.

Coach Sean Payton pushed his team a little harder Tuesday. Instead of following the schedule, which called for a morning walk-through, the Saints were in full pads for a full-length practice. "I just think we all felt as a whole that we needed a good week of practice this week," said Payton.

Lots of competition at wideout: There are 10 candidates for the receiver spots behind Marcus Colston. Running with the first unit has been Colston, Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper, David Patten and rookie Robert Meachem. WR Lance Moore is secure because he's the likely No. 1 kick returner.