It's one thing to beat out an established veteran for a starting spot as a rookie offensive lineman. It's another to draw an assignment against an ascending All-Pro in your first start.
Nevertheless, that's what Buffalo Bills new right guard O'Cyrus Torrence is facing when the Bills open their season on the road against the New York Jets on Monday night.
Under the glare of a national spotlight, Torrence will be charged with neutralizing fifth-year defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, whose sack totals have risen every season. His breakout season came last year with 12 sacks, making him a first-team All-Pro.
A monster assignment for a monster of a man.
Torrence, at 6-5, 330, is bigger and stronger than the 6-3, 300-pound Williams. But if he doesn't play with quick feet and a low pad level, those advantages won't mean anything.
The matchup is likely to be crucial in this key AFC East divisional battle.
Repeating the mantra that seemingly comes from on-high by coach Sean McDermott, center Mitch Morse said on Thursday that the key for Torrence will be to play within his limitations.
"For him, I think it's just trusting his technique, trusting what we're doing here, understanding that he is an outstanding football player but don't get outside of yourself," Morse said. "Because when you start doing that, things go awry.
"Understand that [Williams] is going to bring the juice ... and [Williams] is going to play a heck of a game because that's just who he is. And for us, it will just be competing and doing that with technique and just taking it one play at a time."
Morse will have a challenge of his own trying to be the glue that holds his revamped offensive line together. Not only will he have a new starter to his right in Torrence, but a new one to his left in Connor McGovern.
McGovern was a key veteran pickup after a one-year experiment with Rodger Saffold proved to be a failure.
Williams isn't the only threat on a Jets' defensive front that gave the Bills all kinds of problems in both matchups last season, winning the first one.
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