Intense battles for positions within the Buffalo Bills team.

Training camp will be the beginning of many position battles for the Buffalo Bills, but none should be more heated than left defensive end. Three men could compete for the job opposite starting right end, Aaron Schobel. The battle promises to be intense in an effort to help bolster the Bills pass rush.
Ryan Denney is the incumbent starter and started 13 of Buffalo's 16 games in 2003. He recorded 3.5 sacks and also forced a fumble. He also has great size at 6 feet 7 inches and 275 pounds.
Denney may have been the starter in the past, but he is definitely hearing footsteps. Chris Kelsay is ready to be an everyday player and should provide strong competition to land the role. Kelsay was the Bills second round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft and is progressing nicely in his development. He said he's ready for the challenge of being an every down player.
"I feel a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident this year," Kelsay said. "I feel like it's all going to fall into place. I'm going to do everything I can to get myself in shape and take over that starting role."
Newly signed free agent, Jason Gildon, could also figure into the mix. Gildon played his first 10 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers at linebacker, but his specialty was rushing the passer. He's the Steelers all-time sack leader with 77. Gildon can play defensive end and should get some reps and the opportunity to compete for the job.
"Jason has been rushing the passer most of his career," defensive coordinator Jerry Gray said. "He has great instincts getting to the quarterback and he's been successful doing that in the past. We'll give him some reps in there to see how he handles it."
Gray said he anticipates a fight to the finish and that no matter who wins out, that player is going to have to continue to play at a high level or else he could be replaced.
"Competition only makes your team better," Gray said. "These guys have been preparing all off-season for this battle and the team can only benefit from that. We know that whomever we choose is going to have to play at a high level because someone else is always going to be looking over his shoulder. It's been great motivation for these guys."
Gildon is ready for a second chance at his career. He was released by Pittsburgh after the Steelers believed he was on the downside of his playing career. Gildon is anxious to show critics that he can still play and lining up at defensive end may give him a chance to do just that.
"I definitely feel like I'll be given the opportunity and all I'm after is the opportunity to compete," Gildon said. "I definitely have something to offer. If I don't win the job I have to be ok with it. I've been given the opportunity to compete and that's what I'm looking forward to."
Defensive line coach Tim Krumrie is also looking forward to the competition and said that all of his guys are ready to step into the starting position.
"I've got a good, solid group of guys," Krumrie said. "It's the same thing I said last year. The guys will determine who's going to start. I don't. They come out and basically fight for their work. If you want to start, then you've got to work harder than the next guy."
Denney, Kelsay, and Gildon may also have to fight off Keith McKenzie as well as undrafted free agent Constantin Ritzman. Both men are ready to step up their level of play.
This figures to be the most intense battle at camp and while the coaching staff is looking to fill the void with one player, Gray is not opposed to using multiple guys in certain situations.
"We may use each of the guys in different game situations," Gray said. "One guy may be better at pass rushing and another may stop the run. We're going to see what everyone's strengths are in camp and then we'll go from there."
The Bills first practice is scheduled for this Sunday, Aug. 1 at St. John Fisher College.

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