5 Questions with Buffalo Rumblings on Bills vs Redskins

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1.) How much will Buffalo's beer sales skyrocket if Kolb is the starter due to Manuel's injury? More importantly, is it a forgone conclusion that no matter how Kolb performs in the next two games, the starting QB belongs to E.J Manuel?

Let's put it this way: after 14 years without a playoff appearance, beer sales are a foregone conclusion within this fan base regardless of pretty much any other circumstance. Manuel had taken a clear lead on Kolb after the second preseason game, and I don't think it's much of a secret at this point that they've wanted the rookie to be the starter all along. They're going to check on his knee late next week - 10-12 days prior to their Week 1 game - and if he's looking on track to play, I think he'll be the starter.

2.) Redskins picked up Nick Barnett for ILB depth. Can you give some pros and cons from his tenure in BUF and how they used him there?

Barnett was a three-down linebacker for two full seasons in Buffalo; he played 92 percent of the defense's snaps last season. He was excellent - as in, borderline Pro Bowl worthy excellent - in 2011, but wasn't nearly as big a factor in 2012. His career is obviously winding down, but I still think he can play at a respectable level for long stretches as an injury fill-in.

3.) How are BUF's young receivers looking this year?

The receivers look pretty good. The two draft picks, Robert Woods and even Marquise Goodwin, look like they're going to walk into major roles in Nate Hackett's offense - Woods will be a starter, and Goodwin has had a fantastic training camp. Chris Hogan - you may remember him as Miami's "7-11" if you watch Hard Knocks - has also been impressive, as has 2010 fourth-rounder Marcus Easley, who most fans had written off after three injury-plagued seasons. That's all without mentioning Da'Rick Rogers, the highly talented undrafted free agent; he's had a quiet summer, but there have been bursts of play where his talent is obvious. Buffalo has some tough decisions to make on this front. They'll be cutting good football players.

4.) Safety Duke Williams was a guy the Redskins showed a lot of interest in. How has he looked so far and how much time can we expect from him on Saturday?

There was some buzz in the spring months that Mike Pettine was building three-safety packages to get Williams onto the field, but that rhetoric has largely vanished this summer - and that was before Jairus Byrd signed his franchise tag. Williams has been a mainstay on the second-team defense and the team clearly likes his upside, but he's looking like the fourth safety heading into the regular season.

5.) Who are two guys that have really impressed this training camp?

Jerry Hughes, a former first-round pick in Indy that the Bills picked up in a trade for Kelvin Sheppard, has looked excellent rushing the passer this summer. He picked up two sacks and a forced fumble in last week's preseason win over Minnesota, and looks like a totally different player in Buffalo. Alex Carrington, a 2010 third-round pick that finally showed signs of life as a wave defensive tackle last season, is now a full-time starter as the power end in Pettine's base 4-3 Over. Those two guys are going to be major contributors on a defense that's looking like it's going to finally realize some of its potential.