If you’re a Buffalo Bills fan, all of a sudden you’re aware of this guy named Ryan Van Demark.
Perhaps that’s harsh. Van Demark was seeing second-team snaps over the likes of David Quessenberry before the offensive tackle position … hit the fan… but since that has happened he’s been thrust into a spotlight.
A late offseason addition, Brandon Shell, decided to retire from football. A few short days later, Tommy Doyle had a season-ending knee injury.
Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown are still poised to start for the Bills, but Van Demark has gone from a third-to-four teamer on paper this spring to… one snap away from blocking for quarterback Josh Allen during the season opener.
Despite that huge change in circumstance, Van Demark hasn’t shown a sign of changing his mindset.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to keep working and doing what I’m doing,” Van Demark said to the Buffalo News.
“I’m just coming out here and literally trying to be the best version of myself every day,” he noted to The Athletic. “And I think that, like taking a step back and breathing and being like, ‘Who gives a —? Just play.’ That’s what I’ve been doing every day coming out here.”
It still remains to be seen how the Bills handle the massive change in tackle depth.
An outside addition was made via Garrett McGhin. A higher-profile name could still be coveted by Buffalo when roster cut-down day arrives next week.
For the time being, it sounds like Van Demark is going to get an opportunity to stake his own claim.
“(Van Demark) has really grown in the system and really shown his athletic ability and his ability to play (tackle) and hold up,” Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said via video conference. “Coach (offensive line coach Aaron) Kromer does a great job as a teacher of that position.”
Van Demark is a name to watch during the Bills’ preseason finale against the Chicago Bears on Saturday.
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