ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Expectations are high around Buffalo Bills' training camp, and it goes far beyond the playoff guarantee that safety Donte Whitner made in the spring.
It was fun to spend a day with a group of young players who don't fear the schedule and plan to bring a hard-hitting brand of football every week. Dick Jauron's team is building a confidence based on hard work, a youthful exuberance, a physical toughness and an expectation that starting quarterback Trent Edwards is ready to take the next step.
At one point last year, the Bills were 7-6. But they managed just 30 points in their last three games to finish 7-9. That was then, and this is now.
With playoff hopes in 2008, the biggest camp issue is the status of Jason Peters. The Pro Bowl left tackle is not in camp and doesn't sound like he's headed here anytime soon because of a contract dispute.
I got the feeling from talking with the Bills brass that there will be no negotiations with Peters and his new agent if he doesn't come back to work. While Peters sits at home and incurs a $15,000-a-day fine, the team marches on looking for his replacement. As one club employee said, referring to team owner Ralph Wilson, "Mr. Wilson isn't going to budge on this situation if he holds out." Another high-ranking official said, "We know he's underpaid, but nothing will happen until he's at practice."
Commissioner Roger Goodell not only addressed the team and the fans on Monday, but he also met privately with running back Marshawn Lynch while I was at camp, and it had a positive impact on all involved.
Lynch found out the league would take no disciplinary action against him for his role in a hit-and-run during the offseason. He went out and had a great practice, running for multiple touchdowns and reeling off long runs against the defense in a full-pads team period.
The fans heard that the Bills' plan to play a regular-season game in Toronto in each of the next five seasons has actually strengthened the team's position to stay in Western New York, because of the revenue the games will generate and the rise in season-ticket sales in Buffalo.
Several of the players I spoke with took a lot from the commissioner's talk and feel like the Bills are an emerging NFL squad.
The Bills face the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos this season, and those contests will go a long way toward separating the pack in the wild-card race. Buffalo would need to win at least two of those three games en route to the 10 wins it would take to fulfill Whitner's playoff prediction.
As always, there's a good chance it could all come down to quarterback play. If Edwards can develop into a player who can post 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, the chances of a postseason run increase greatly. A playoff spot will ultimately determine if 2008 was a success for Edwards and the Bills, but either way, this young team is on the right track.
Building a playoff team isn't easy, though. When done right, it takes a few years. There's a lot to like from the Bills, especially the eight starters from the first two drafts under Jauron's watch and the potential for two more from this year's rookie class.
The acquisitions of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and linebacker Kawika Mitchell to bolster the 31st-ranked defense is also a big plus. Jauron described Stroud as the player the Bills needed most up front, while classifying Mitchell as the veteran needed to play alongside second-year linebacker Paul Posluszny.
I watched enough practice to see Stroud force double-teams and get excellent push on his pass rush. Mitchell plays fast and smart, and Posluszny recognizes the help the veteran brings to his development.
Here are five key issues that jumped out at me as I wrapped up our tour of Bills camp:
1. Rookies James Hardy and Leodis McKelvin
Hardy is a 6-foot-6 wide receiver who complements the rest of the small Buffalo receivers very well. He works hard, takes criticism and tough coaching well. Still, he may be a role player at the start of the season instead of a starter. In the red zone, he will be a major threat to score a half dozen touchdowns (just what the 30th-ranked offense needs). Although he may take some time to learn all the motions, blocking assignments and route reads, he's talented.
McKelvin is competitive, to say the least, but veteran receivers like Roscoe Parrish are taking him to school in practice. The rookie probably makes the lineup as a nickel corner because starter Jabari Greer is that far ahead of him for now.
2. Evolution of Edwards
Edwards only threw seven touchdown passes last year and the team only threw 12 total. I sat down with Edwards and the first thing I noticed was the bulk he put on during the offseason. He told me he finished up last year at 205 pounds. At this point, he's close to 220. It shows up in the velocity of his passes, his deep ball and his movement skills. He looked good spreading around his passes.
"He can find me deep or find Parrish working the other side much quicker than last year," said receiver Lee Evans.
Edwards has to realize opponents have gone to school on him in the offseason and will present new problems. However, the defenses are going to find out the Bills have opened up the playbook for Edwards, because he can handle it. Heck, at the first practice they were already using a no-huddle shotgun package.
3. Can the Bills stop the run?
Last year, Buffalo gave up 124.6 yards per game on the ground. Now, Stroud is on the inside along with Kyle Williams and reserves John McCargo and Spencer Johnson. I like their four-man rotation; there's little doubt the front is better.
Posluszny leads a linebacker group that is underrated and will make plays. I could easily see Posluszny in on 90-100 tackles this season. I expect the Bills to move up into the top half of the league in run defense.
4. Can the Bills stop the pass?
Last year, Buffalo was 29th in pass defense. That should improve. Jauron already recognizes keeping Stroud fresh to rush the passer is important. As defensive end Aaron Schobel leads the way from the outside, Stroud will disrupt the inside.
The question really is about finding another outside rusher. Defensive end Chris Kelsay should only have to beat a single blocker as the protection schemes focus on Schobel and Stroud, so the opportunity is there for the taking. The coverage looks better -- especially if safety Ko Simpson can remain healthy and Whitner doesn't try to do too much.
Camp: Pittsford, N.Y.
Preseason games:
Aug. 9:
at Washington, 7 p.m. ET
Aug. 14: Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 24: at Indianapolis, 8 p.m. ET
Aug. 28: Detroit, 6:30 p.m. ET
5. Position battles
Competition pushes everyone to get better on a team looking to improve. Here are a few battles to keep an eye on this summer:
» Tight end: Robert Royal vs. Derek Fine. Buffalo wants blocking tight ends before vertical-threat tight ends. While Royal is a little of both, the rookie Fine will be pushing for playing time all season long.
» Wide receiver: Roscoe Parrish vs. James Hardy. There's no problem when both play in three-receiver sets, but for now Parrish is a better route runner and knows the offense. At the morning practice I was at, Parrish caught two deep balls for touchdowns and converted two third-downs.
» Cornerback: Jabari Greer vs. Leodis McKelvin. Greer will never give up his spot without a fight and looks good in practice. McKelvin will be a fine pro, but he has to watch out for another rookie, Reggie Corner, who jumped out at me during drills.
Have a football-related question for Pat that you would like answered in a future column? Email him at footballmentor@aol.com. "Movin' the Chains," Pat's SIRIUS NFL Radio show with co-host Tim Ryan, can be heard weekdays from 3-7 p.m. ET.
