Settle on a starting quarterback. Nurse an offensive line together. Learn the 3-4 defensive scheme.
When it comes to what transpired in Bills training camp and the prospects for the 2010 season, two out of three ain't bad.
Coach Chan Gailey and his staff bit off a lot to chew when they inherited a roster physically beaten up by injuries and mentally beaten up by finishing with a 6-10 record. Buffalo is riding a franchise-record 10-year playoff drought.
With minimal activity in free agency and the drafting of a running back first overall rather than a quarterback, Buffalo is banking on Gailey's offensive creativity and a shift to the in-vogue 3-4 on defense to make it competitive again in the rugged AFC East.
Gailey promised a competition for the starting QB job between Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick, last year's starters, and young pro Brian Brohm, but it never transpired due to Edwards' progress. Edwards started the team's first three preseason games and didn't disappoint, completing 65 percent of his throws for 304 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a 97.1 rating. That would be a good game. In his first three pro seasons (14-17 career mark), Edwards has yet to throw for 300 yards.
From Elway to Aikman to Stewart, Gailey has an impressive track record of working with quarterbacks. And if he can put Edwards' career back on track, he'll put his own career back on track. He was Dallas' coach for just two seasons before being dismissed by owner Jerry Jones despite a winning record.
"The more plays I run, the more reps I get, the more comfortable I'm getting out there," said Edwards, who was expected to officially land the starter's job after Buffalo's final preseason game Sept. 2 at Detroit. "Fortunately, we're moving the ball, we're getting first downs and we're scoring points. That makes my job a lot easier. It's easy for me to make progress when things are going well."
A big reason for producing nine offensive touchdowns through three preseason games was the play of the line. Wrecked by injuries in '09, left tackle Demetrius Bell and right guard Eric Wood have made remarkable recoveries from serious leg injuries to resume their old positions and stop what has been a yearly game of musical chairs. Now if they can only stay healthy.
As for providing a shot of needed adrenalin, rookie running back C.J. Spiller has done that and more. Taking advantage of injuries that sidelined veterans Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch both are expected back for the regular season Spiller was averaging 4.7 yards per carry and had scored three touchdowns in his preseason work.
"They all may be in there at the same time, you never know," said Gailey when asked about his plans for running back.
The defense remains a work in progress and is still reeling from the retirement of No. 2 career sack leader Aaron Schobel.
The move to a 3-4 has meant position switches for a half dozen players with some ends now playing linebacker and some tackles now playing end. Through three preseason games, the Bills had allowed 11 TDs, two more than its offense had scored. Missed assignments were plentiful.
"We have a lot of work to do but you can see every week we're making strides," said Marcus Stroud, who has shifted from tackle to end.
COACHING: Chan Gailey, 3rd year (18-16), 1st with Bills.
REMEMBERING: 2009 record: 6-10 (4th in AFC East).
PREDICTING: 2010 regular-season record: 8-8 (4th in AFC East); will miss playoffs for 11th consecutive season.
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