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We are still more than a month away from college football games being played and even longer for the NFL. The season, however, is approaching and the first team has opened training camp. College teams and most NFL teams won't open camp until later this month or in August, but the Buffalo Bills got things underway on Sunday.
Usually we wouldn't care much about the Buffalo Bills on a Washington State blog, but when former Cougar quarterback Jeff Tuel is in camp with the Bills, it's relevant. Tuel spent all of last season on the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. He appeared in two games, starting one. The Bills quarterback depth chart is largely the same and once again Tuel will be fighting for a spot.
EJ Manuel is secure atop the Bills' quarterback depth chart which leaves Tuel, Thad Lewis and former Duck Dennis Dixon competing for one or two spots. If the Bills keep three quarterbacks, Tuel appears to be in good position to make the roster over Dixon. If Buffalo opts for two, it will could come down to preseason performance between Tuel and Lewis. Lewis jumped Tuel on the depth chart last season. As Mike Rodak of ESPN noted, Tuel is not practice squad eligible because he appeared on the 46-man gameday roster for 11 games last season.
So will Tuel make it? Rodak gave him an 80 percent chance to make the roster, noting that he's bulked up during the offseason. Tuel spent some of that offseason in Pullman where he finished his degree. Oh and look at this, a WSUCougars.com interview with Tuel. Funny how that timing worked out.
A Conversation with Jeff Tuel - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Buffalo Bills opened training camp this weekend and checking in to his second camp with the Bills was former Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel.
More Tuel Time:
Buffalo Bills Bubble Watch: Jeff Tuel - ESPN
Since Tuel was on the 46-man game-day active roster for 11 games last season, he is not practice squad eligible, giving the Bills more reason to keep him on their 53-man roster.
Day One practice: Sammy Watkins shows good hands, draws big cheers - BN Blitz - The Buffalo News
X The best long reception was by T.J. Graham, who hauled in a 55-yard pass from Jeff Tuel down the sideline. The best gainer by a running back out of the backfield was by Bryce Brown, who went 35-plus yards with a catch of a short crossing pass from Manuel.