Unexpected Position Battle

I think most Bills fans expected that Robert Royal would be the Bills starting tight end, despite offseason knee surgery. But since training camp has started, Royal's in a battle for his job with 2nd year man Derek Schoumann. He used the offseason to get Royal's reps, impress the coaches and develop a rhythm with Trent Edwards. On the first two-deep of the season, Schoumann and Royal are listed as co-starters.

While Schoumann brings more speed and more receiving ability, Royal is a veteran and a much better blocker. Maybe the coaches wanted the veteran pushed, or maybe they're just waiting to Royal to regain his regular season form. But the battle bears watching through the preseason. Edwards likes to throw to the tight end. Last year, Royal and Michael Gaines caught 50 passes, the most by Bills tight ends in over 10 years. His quick-passing style cries out for a valuable weapon at the position.

The position battle my be decided by...Jason Peters. If he continues his holdout, the Bills will need blocking help from the tight end. That suits Royal. If he comes back and the tight ends aren't required to stay in a block as much, then Schoumann may have the advantage. We'll keep watching this unexpected position battle.