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We mentioned Sunday that we are ranking the top-40 players in the AFC East. Let's begin "Walker's Fab 40" with Nos. 37-40.

No. 40: Kyle Arrington, CB

Team: New England Patriots

2011 stats: 88 tackles, seven interceptions

Analysis: Our Fab 40 in the AFC East begins with the NFL interception leader. Arrington made strides this past season by creating much-needed turnovers for the Patriots' defense. But too often Arrington and New England gave up chunks of passing yards. The Patriots were 31st in total defense and 31st in pass defense. Despite his stats, Arrington was not a shutdown corner. But his playmaking ability and good hands were enough to come in a No. 40.

No. 39: Kevin Burnett, LB

Team: Miami Dolphins

2011 stats: 105 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception

Analysis: Burnett’s 2011 season followed the same path as Miami's. Like the Dolphins, Burnett started slow. He was one of the team's big free-agent additions and had trouble finding his role as Miami started 0-7. But Burnett started to show around midseason why the Dolphins acquired him. He was one of the team's biggest impact players on defense and finished with 105 tackles. Miami also went 6-3 down the stretch. There is a lot to like about Miami's defense entering next season and Burnett is one of the reasons.

No. 38: Brian Moorman, P

Team: Buffalo Bills

2011 stats: 48.2 yards per punt, 20 inside 20

Analysis: There were a couple of seasons recently when a strong case could be made that Moorman was the best player on Buffalo's roster. That is no longer the case. But Moorman remains one of the top punters in the AFC. He averaged 48.2 yards per punt and had another consistent season. Moorman and a healthy place kicker Rian Lindell provides a solid pair for Buffalo's special teams.

No. 37: Brandon Moore, G

Team: New York Jets

2011 Stats: 16 starts

Analysis: The Jets surprisingly had three offensive linemen make the Pro Bowl this year. I didn't think New York's performance in the trenches earned that, but Moore was one of those three players to get the call to Hawaii. Moore and center Nick Mangold are two of New York's best run blockers. But Moore needs to be more consistent overall and especially in pass protection.

Sports labor squabbles often are described as billionaires arguing with millionaires over money.

While that's a catchy rhyme that sums up fan frustration, the phrase is not entirely true.

Inspired by a blog entry from the minister of all things AFC South, Paul Kuharsky, I looked at NFL Players Association files to count up the number of AFC East players scheduled for $1 million base salaries in 2011.

Granted, up-front bonuses and incentives can make base salaries misleading. But base salaries are the only figures that create a common ground, player for player.

You'll see a vast majority of NFL players make much less than $1 million a year. Although many will make seven figures before they walk away from the game, careers are short and treacherous. They'll never see that kind of cash again for the rest of their lives.

That's why they're fighting for every dollar now.

Of the 226 players under contract in the AFC East, only 62 of them (27.4 percent) will make base salaries of $1 million or more.

The NFLPA hasn't acknowledged any franchise tags that have been signed. Those players are marked with an asterisk and not factored into the totals.

Buffalo Bills

• Receiver Lee Evans, $3.275 million
• Cornerback Terrence McGee, $3.2 million
• Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, $3.195 million
• Defensive end Spencer Johnson, $3 million
• Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, $2.75 million
• Defensive end Dwan Edwards, $2.6 million
• Center Geoff Hangartner, $2.55 million
• Outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, $2 million
• Running back Fred Jackson, $1.75 million
• Defensive lineman Kyle Williams, $1.75 million
• Kicker Rian Lindell, $1.45 million
• Punter Brian Moorman, $1.425 million
• Cornerback Reggie Corner, $1.2 million
• Receiver Steve Johnson, $1.2 million
• Safety Bryan Scott, $1.15 million
• Linebacker Andra Davis, $1.1 million
• Receiver Roscoe Parrish, $1.025 million
• Safety George Wilson, $1.025 million
• Cornerback Leodis McKelvin, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 19

Players under contract: 54

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 35.2

Miami Dolphins

• Nose tackle Paul Soliai, $12.47 million*
• Tackle Jake Long, $11.2 million
• Receiver Brandon Marshall, $6.5 million
• Tackle Vernon Carey, $4.15 million
• Safety Yeremiah Bell, $3.7 million
• Defensive end Randy Starks, $3.625 million
• Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, $2.7 million
• Inside linebacker Channing Crowder, $2.5 million
• Tight end Anthony Fasano, $1.9 million
• Cornerback Benny Sapp, $1.9 million
• Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Will Allen, $1.5 million
• Safety Tyrone Culver, $1.25 million
• Fullback Lousaka Polite, $1.25 million
• Receiver Davone Bess, $1.013 million
• Kicker Dan Carpenter, $1.005 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 15

Players under contract: 55

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 27.3

New England Patriots

• Quarterback Tom Brady, $5.75 million
• Cornerback Leigh Bodden, $3.9 million
• Tackle Nick Kaczur, $3.4 million
• Defensive end Ty Warren, $3.1 million
• Center Dan Koppen, $2.9 million
• Safety James Sanders, $2.8 million
• Tight end Alge Crumpler, $2.4 million
• Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, $2.3 million
• Receiver Deion Branch, $2.2 million
• Receiver Wes Welker, $2.15 million
• Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, $1.2 million
• Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, $1.025 million
• Inside linebacker Gary Guyton, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 60

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 23.3

New York Jets

• Quarterback Mark Sanchez, $14.75 million
• Inside linebacker David Harris, $10.1 million*
• Cornerback Darrelle Revis, $6 million
• Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, $5.615 million
• Inside linebacker Bart Scott, $4.9 million
• Outside linebacker Calvin Pace, $3.855 million
• Outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, $3.2 million
• Guard Brandon Moore, $2.75 million
• Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, $2.425 million
• Center Nick Mangold, $2.26 million
• Defensive end Mike DeVito, $2.125 million
• Safety Jim Leonhard, $1.95 million
• Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, $1.8 million
• Defensive tackle Sione Pouha, $1.28 million
• Quarterback Mark Brunell, $1.25 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 57

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 24.6

With the NFL's collective bargaining agreement hours from expiring, I thought it would be a good time to provide a rundown of the NFL Players Association representatives for each AFC East team.

These players essentially are the shop stewards, the 32 liaisons who are in closest contact with union executives and the ones responsible for keeping their teammates abreast on all developments.

Three of the four AFC East representatives are free agents, but that's not uncommon. In these cases, union responsibilities often are maintained until players have new teams or retire. Teams cannot sign or trade players until a new CBA is negotiated.

Buffalo Bills

Representative: Safety George Wilson. He's the only AFC East rep under contract, having re-signed Tuesday. Wilson is known as one of the hardest-working and classiest players in the game. The two-time captain entered the NFL in 2004 as a receiver and switched positions to stick around.

Alternates: Outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, punter Brian Moorman.

Miami Dolphins

Representative: Running back Ricky Williams. A running joke in the Dolphins' locker room is that Williams is a good choice because nobody has met with the commissioner more often than he has. Williams just completed his 10th season and is a free agent.

Alternates: Quarterback Chad Pennington, receiver Brandon Marshall, long-snapper John Denney.

New England Patriots

Representative: Left tackle Matt Light. He's one of the Patriots' most charitable and entertaining players. Light just finished his 10th NFL season and was chosen for his third Pro Bowl. He also is a free agent.

Alternates: Quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Alge Crumpler.

New York Jets

Representative: Fullback Tony Richardson. He has played 16 NFL seasons and also sits on the NFLPA's 11-man executive committee. He recently wrote an op-ed piece for the Huffington Post about the looming lockout.

Alternates: Right guard Brandon Moore, safety Jim Leonhard.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson grinned wearily and shook his head as I mentioned the stat to him.

Jackson was well aware the Bills rank second to last in the NFL with an average of 22 rushing attempts per game. And this week might not be much busier. Only six teams are rushed against less than Sunday's opponent, the Baltimore Ravens.

One of the Bills' few strengths is their backfield wherewithal. The Bills had so much talent, they traded 2007 first-round draft choice Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks two weeks ago. That left them with 1,000-yard rusher Jackson and C.J. Spiller, the first running back drafted in April.

The dilemma is that the Bills fare really well when they do run. They're averaging 4.8 yards a carry, which ranks fifth in the league.

"When you look at it, we've been successful running the ball," Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "It's a matter of finding carries for [Jackson] and C.J. and keep feeding those guys and letting them go to work. Part of that is being in games and either having the lead or keeping it close. Part of it is just staying on the field."

In addition to being 0-5 and usually playing from behind, the Bills rank dead last in time of possession, averaging barely 25 minutes.

The Bills have rushed 110 times. When we take out attempts from quarterbacks Fitzpatrick (12) and Trent Edwards (five), receiver Roscoe Parrish (one) and punter Brian Moorman (two), Bills running backs are averaging 18 carries a game.

"Once we get down two, three touchdowns, we have to start passing the ball to try and get back in the game," Jackson said. "If we can stay out of those situations, I think we could get more carries.

"I'm hoping that we get more carries. Guys like C.J. and myself want to get the ball as much as possible and help the team win."

Before we turn our full attention to Week 7, let's stop for a few moments and consider how great Sunday was for the AFC East's foot practitioners.

All three kickers made critical kicks, with two of them winning games in sudden death.

All three punters had nice afternoons, with two of them making influential overtime punts.

It should also be noted in each case the punter acts as his team's holder on field goals.

The Buffalo Bills were on their bye week, and they have one of the league's best kicker-punter combos in Rian Lindell and Brian Moorman.

New England Patriots

In overtime, Zoltan Mesko boomed a 65-yarder AdvancedNFLStats.com calls the punt of the year. The Patriots were on their own 16, but Mesko's leg flipped the field, putting the Baltimore Ravens on their own 19-yard line.

On the Patriots' next possession, Stephen Gostkowski ended the game with a 35-yard field goal. Gostkowski forced overtime with a 24-yard field goal inside the final two minutes of regulation.

Miami Dolphins

In overtime, Brandon Fields punted 50 yards, and the Green Bay Packers committed an illegal block on the return to pin them at their own 16.

On the Dolphins' next possession, Dan Carpenter won it with a 44-yard field goal. Carpenter made two field goals in regulation from a career-long 53 yards and 41 yards.

New York Jets

Nick Folk kicked a club-record 56-yard field goal in a victory over the Denver Broncos, who got a 59-yard field goal from Matt Prater. It was the first game in NFL history opposing kickers each made a field goal from at least 55 yards.

Jets punter Steve Weatherford posted a 48.6-yard average and skied one for a fair catch at the Broncos' 6-yard line early in the fourth quarter. After a three-and-out series for the Broncos, the Jets needed only five plays to score the tying touchdown on their next drive.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Four games into their season, the Buffalo Bills are a team in crisis.

The New York Jets strutted into Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday afternoon and obliterated the Bills 38-14.

It could have been much, much worse for the Bills.

Jets kicker Nick Folk shanked an easy field goal in the first quarter. The Jets pulled their starters at the beginning of the fourth quarter and by the end of the game were handing off to their third-string running back, who hadn't been good enough to dress the first three weeks.

The Bills were shamed, disgusted and raw.

"I'm mad. I'm pissed the f--- off. Flat out," said Bills safety Donte Whitner, his hands dropped at his waist and balled into fists. His body was shaking. "Everybody should be pissed the f--- off.

"It's not even about money. It's not about anything else. It's about going out and playing hard and coming out with a win. That's what it's about. We haven't done it, and we're not doing it. If we continue to play like we're playing, we're not going to get there, and that's the truth."

Bills coach Chan Gailey was revolted by what transpired.

"Maybe I can answer some of your questions before you ask them," Gailey said as soon as he stepped behind the lectern for this postgame news conference. "We were a bad football team today.

"When we protected, we couldn't catch it. We couldn't protect.

"We had people going into the wrong spots, getting to the wrong people.

"We couldn't get off the field on third down. We couldn't convert a third down.

"We were not good on special teams.

"We turned the ball over twice. We didn't get any turnovers.

"We got sacked three times. We didn't get any sacks.

"If you play that way, you're not going to win. You're not even going to look decent in this league.

"Now, do you have any questions?"

The first question: Are the Bills the worst team in the NFL?

Gailey couldn't say they weren't.

Roster changes could be coming. The Bills already have dumped their starting quarterback. They're 0-3 in the division and likely aren't going to mount any serious threat to a .500 record.

"The thing is, this is the team that we have," Bills inside linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "So I don't ... Bring in guys off the street? I don't know what you can do personnel-wise.

"It's on the players. We have to look at ourselves and say 'I'm not playing as well as I can, and I know that, and I got to get that fixed.' Each one of us. The team that we have in this locker room, that's our personnel. We've got to win with those guys."

No, the Bills could have even less to work with.

The trade deadline is Oct. 19.

Does the front office embrace the lost season as inevitable and trade players for draft picks? Marshawn Lynch? Lee Evans? Drayton Florence? Whitner?

"I have no answers," said outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, one of the few players with some security after signing a four-year contract extension this week. "I wouldn't be surprised."

The Bills conceded they knew exactly what the Jets were going to do yet still were powerless to stop them. LaDainian Tomlinson ran 19 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns before he was pulled at the end of the third quarter. Shonn Greene rushed 22 times for 117 yards before he was removed from the game.

Jets tight end Dustin Keller hasn't been a secret. He caught a pair of passes in the back of the end zone.

"This isn't even about X's and O's," Whitner said. "This is about looking at the film and understanding who wants to be here, who wants to play.

"We knew everything they were going to do. They didn't do anything we didn't expect them to do. So if you know everything they're going to do, it can't be about X's and O's. It's about who wants to play football here and who don't want to play football here. It's about who wants to come out and play with some heart."

Buffalo was just as miserable on offense. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team in rushing with 74 yards, nearly four times the output of their top running back. Fred Jackson and Lynch combined for seven carries and 29 yards.

Evans made his first catch with 20 seconds left in the game.

Brian Moorman punted for 172 more yards than the offense netted.

The Jets had the ball for 40 minutes.

"I feel for the fans because that was terrible," Whitner said. "That was embarrassing in each aspect of the game.

"They came out and punched us in the mouth each and every snap."

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- One position player on the Buffalo Bills' roster was on the field the last time they defeated the New England Patriots.

That was seven years and 14 games ago.

The Bills will try to snap their losing streak at 13 games Sunday in Gillette Stadium, a place they've never won.

"You have to have the mentality you're going to win every game," said outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, who played in the last victory and has endured the entire skid. "We'll go there with confidence. We're going to go out there and perform the best to our ability."

The Bills came heartbreakingly close to upsetting the Patriots on opening night last year, but Leodis McKelvin fumbled a kickoff in the final minutes to place Tom Brady on the doorstep of triumph.

The Bills have lost 18 of their past 19 meetings with the Patriots and haven't won on the road since 2000.

"We really haven't done enough to win against them," Bills receiver Lee Evans said. "They've just made plays later in games to win, especially in the close games. That's what the story of this league is. It comes down to making plays down the stretch. They've made more than we have."

Buffalo's last victory over New England was a doozy. Buffalo won 31-0 on opening day 2003. Travis Henry rushed for two touchdowns. Drew Bledsoe passed for one. Sam Adams ran back a Brady interception for another. Brady finished with a 22.5 passer rating.

Buffalo's roster has four players who were around then. Kelsay and kicker Rian Lindell made their NFL debuts. Punter Brian Moorman was there. Cornerback Terrence McGee was on the team but inactive for the game.

New England went on to win its second Super Bowl in three years. Buffalo finished 6-10.

Kelsay said he can't help but daydream about what it would be like to play for a winning organization such as the Patriots.

"I've thought about that before," Kelsay said. "You think what it would be like to be in their shoes. They're winning week in and week out. Anybody that's been in this league for an extended period of time and has lost more games than they've won, I think it's human nature to be curious about that.

"We need to get there. There's no way to beat around it. It's just something we haven't done around here, and somehow, some way we have to win more football games."

A look at 2010 captains in the AFC East and how they were chosen ...

Buffalo Bills (player vote)

• Trent Edwards, quarterback
• Lee Evans, receiver
• Marcus Stroud, defensive end
• Chris Kelsay, outside linebacker
• George Wilson, safety
• Brian Moorman, punter

Miami Dolphins (player vote)

• Patrick Cobbs, running back
• Jake Long, left tackle
• Karlos Dansby, inside linebacker
• Yeremiah Bell, safety

New England Patriots (player vote)

• Tom Brady, quarterback
• Kevin Faulk, running back
• Vince Wilfork, nose tackle
• Jerod Mayo, inside linebacker

New York Jets

• Selected on game-by-game basis by head coach Rex Ryan.

In February, the wait felt like it would be interminable. As it does every year.

But we're finally here. The start of the NFL regular season is upon us. A meaningful game will be played Thursday night in the Superdome.

Let's mark the occasion in the AFC East with a look at my preseason all-division team.

I've selected a full team of starters on offense, defense and special team -- down to the holder -- based on how I predict they will have performed when we look back on the season in January.

With four 3-4 defenses, I didn't have to bend positions to include everyone. In addition to position, I adhered to which side a player lined up.

The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins lead the way with eight selections each. The Buffalo Bills have six (one player was chosen in two special-teams spots) and the New England Patriots have five.

OFFENSE

WR: Randy Moss, Patriots

LT: Jake Long, Dolphins

LG: Andy Levitre, Bills

C: Nick Mangold, Jets

RG: Brandon Moore, Jets

RT: Vernon Carey, Dolphins

TE: Dustin Keller, Jets

WR: Santonio Holmes, Jets

QB: Tom Brady, Patriots

RB: Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

FB: Lousaka Polite, Dolphins

DEFENSE

LE: Marcus Stroud, Bills

NT: Vince Wilfork, Patriots

RE: Jared Odrick, Dolphins

OLB: Calvin Pace, Jets

ILB: David Harris, Jets

ILB: Karlos Dansby, Dolphins

OLB: Cameron Wake, Dolphins

CB: Darrelle Revis, Jets

CB: Antonio Cromartie, Jets

FS: Jairus Byrd, Bills

SS: Brandon Meriweather, Patriots

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots

P: Brian Moorman, Bills

H: Brian Moorman, Bills

LS: John Denney, Dolphins

KR: C.J. Spiller, Bills

PR: Roscoe Parrish, Bills

The hardest spots to select were left guard, defensive end and outside linebacker because there are so many young or unproven players there. Stroud is an established veteran, but he's moving to a 3-4 defense.

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey revealed Wednesday safety Jairus Byrd had groin surgery for a third time in the past 13 months and will be out indefinitely.

The problem is related to the sports-hernia surgery Byrd underwent before the end of last season. Still, Byrd managed to intercept nine passes in just 14 games (11 starts) and tied for the NFL lead. He was selected for the Pro Bowl but couldn't play.

"It looks like he's going to be out for a while," Gailey said. "We're hoping first game, but it may be not."

Buffalo's prospects for 2010 were dim enough without their roster being ravaged by injuries.

For context on how rough training camp has been, here's a loosely comprised list of their top few players, not counting punter Brian Moorman or kicker Rian Lindell.

• Wide receiver Lee Evans: healthy.
• Outside linebacker Aaron Schobel: released/retired.
• Running back Fred Jackson: out four to six weeks with a broken hand.
• Running back Marshawn Lynch: out three to four weeks with a sprained ankle.
• Inside linebacker Paul Posluszny: missed first two weeks and preseason opener after groin surgery ... expected to play Thursday night against Indianapolis Colts.
• Cornerback Terrence McGee: healthy.
• Safety Jairus Byrd: out indefinitely after groin surgery.
• Running back C.J. Spiller: healthy ... not sure yet where the rookie should rank on this list, but he belongs.

Did I forget anybody? Maybe you can put defensive lineman Marcus Stroud in there somewhere. He's also healthy.

Also hurt for the Bills: receivers David Nelson (leg), James Hardy (foot) and Marcus Easley (knee) and linebacker Chris Kelsay (shoulder).

Left tackle Demetrius Bell (knee) and right guard Eric Wood (leg) have been moved along cautiously as they recover from injuries suffered last year. Both are expected to play Thursday night.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 31

PITTSFORD. N.Y. -- Of any preseason prediction I can make, the one I'm most confident in is that the Buffalo Bills will finish fourth in the AFC East.

That slot would be neither general manager Buddy Nix's nor head coach Chan Gailey's fault. The problems they inherited have set the course for 2010.

But they are setting a tone for the long-term future the players can respect.

Gailey is trying to establish a new culture with his first training camp. He wants people to use two adjectives that haven't been associated with the Bills for a long time: tough and disciplined.

"He's very particular about things and how he wants them done," Bills receiver Lee Evans said. "We haven't really had that for a while here, with the head man running the show. You understand what he's trying to get done."

Gailey has kept his players in full pads at St. John Fisher College. Previous coach Dick Jauron rarely had his players in complete gear at camp.

Gailey believes players should be in pads and tested both physically and mentally. He's in a discovery phase not only about what he'll be able to work with on Sunday afternoons, but also keepers who will help him build a long-term foundation.

"When you actually have those shoulder pads on, mouthpiece in, chinstrap buckled up and you have to get off a block to make a play," safety George Wilson said, "that really shows the true testament of a real football player.

"That's what our coaching staff needs, a new staff that's coming in to evaluate this entire team and be able to put the best 53 men together for this 2010 season. I like what we’re doing. It's going to make us a lot more physical, a lot tougher, a lot more mentally prepared, and I have a positive outlook about it."

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Can quarterback Trent Edwards capitalize on another opportunity? Bills fans seemed to be pulling for Brian Brohm to emerge as the favorite to win the starting quarterback job. A major reason is they haven't seen him truly fail yet -- unlike Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Yet, after several months working with his quarterbacks, Gailey liked Edwards best and installed him as the No. 1 quarterback to begin training camp. The battle remains open, but with Fitzpatrick and Brohm sharing reps with the backups and surrendering a few here and there to rookie Levi Brown, it's Edwards' job to lose. Based on Edwards' medical chart (combined with Hot Issue No. 2 below), there are no guarantees.

But Edwards has yet to get a fair shot to prove what he can do. He has experienced plenty of chaos since the Bills drafted him in the third round in 2007. Gailey is the first offensive-minded head coach Edwards has played under. Last year, offensive coordinator Turk Schonert got fired 10 days before the season, the Bills jettisoned both starting tackles (two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and the most experienced member of the offensive line, Langston Walker) from the season before and endured a futile no-huddle experiment.

Gailey has run successful offenses everywhere he has been. This finally could be a legitimate chance for Edwards to show what he can do.

2. How will the Bills survive without proven offensive tackles? The Bills aren't known for their pass rush, but it was apparent in the early days of practice their offensive tackles were overmatched in pass protection. For their safety, quarterbacks wear red jerseys to remind oncoming defenders not to hit them. Good thing, or else the Bills might have needed to sign some replacements already.

While some front offices believe guards are fungible and tackles vital, the Bills have operated contradictorily in recent years. They've drafted guards within the first two rounds (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre) and paid big bucks for a free agent (Derrick Dockery) while declining to draft a tackle earlier than the fifth round since 2002.

Left tackle Demetrius Bell has been limited in 11-on-11 drills because he's recovering from knee surgery. He received his first snaps Sunday. His replacement, Jamon Meredith, has been overwhelmed at times. The other tackles likely to make the 53-man roster -- Cornell Green, Kirk Chambers and rookie Ed Wang -- have looked ordinary at best.

3. What will happen with vacillating pass-rusher Aaron Schobel? He spent the entire offseason at his home in Texas, perhaps playing possum. He didn’t return to the Bills' facility to collect his roster bonus or participate in offseason workouts. He told some media outlets he was all but retired.

Then, on the verge of camp, the two-time Pro Bowler with a $6 million base salary expressed a change of heart. Schobel might want to play after all. Or maybe he's posturing for a trade, threatening to show up a month before the regular season despite failing to attend so much as a chalk-board session on the team's transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.

On Monday morning, the Bills provided a nebulous answer: In a news release, Nix announced the team is moving forward with plans that do not include Schobel.

Nix said: “Aaron has been contemplating retirement for the past seven months, but we are at the point where we are moving forward and have informed his agent of our plans.”

Schobel can improve the defense with his talents, but the team is rebuilding and going through a defensive transformation he has demurred from. If they cut him, then they forfeit an asset. A trade appears to be the best option to me.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Wide receiver Steve Johnson was an afterthought when the Bills drafted him in the seventh round three years ago. But the front office was quietly confident he would be a player someday. After getting buried on a depth chart that no longer includes Terrell Owens and Josh Reed, Johnson might be ready to emerge. Johnson opened camp as the starting No. 2 receiver opposite Evans. That puts James Hardy on the spot. The Bills took him in the second round the same year they drafted Johnson.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Rookie running back C.J. Spiller, the ninth overall draft choice, still hasn't been signed. Reports indicate it might be a while before he's under contract. The players around him in the draft order have come to terms, but Spiller was the first running back off the board and was considered the most electric playmaker in the draft. His agent, Gary Wichard, certainly is hammering home that point every time he speaks to the Bills. While it's true running backs can afford to miss practice more than other positions because their role is so reactionary, Spiller is more than that. The Bills also consider him a receiver, and that makes practice time more precious for learning the nuances of Gailey's offense.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The atmosphere at St. John Fisher College has been lifeless. It hasn't mattered whether it's morning, afternoon, night, weekday or weekend. The few fans who have shown up are silent.
• Fitzpatrick has been plagued by interceptions through the first few days of camp. Bills defenders seem to have developed a strong read on where he's going to throw.
• Gailey has mandated knee braces at practice for the offensive linemen, whether they've had injuries or not. He has been doing that since he began working with O-line coach Joe D'Alessandris at Georgia Tech in 2002. The players can opt out of the knee braces for games if they don't like how they feel.
• The Bills' defensive backs have sensational hands. In every drill I watched, it was rare to see a ball hit the ground.
• Left cornerback Leodis McKelvin has demonstrated lapses in concentration. He seemed lost in a passing drill Saturday, getting beaten by Hardy for an easy touchdown. Secondary coach George Catavolos had trouble getting McKelvin's attention afterward for some instruction. Soon after, McKelvin was dropping punts in a return drill.
• Inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell told me the unit relies on free-agent acquisition Andra Davis' insight when it comes to 3-4 questions. That also goes for inside linebackers coach DeMontie Cross, who hasn't coached an NFL 3-4 before.
• Mitchell on the 3-4: "It gives you more freedom. It allows you to showcase your ability a lot more. It's going to be a lot more fun."
• Brian Moorman and Rian Lindell are one of the NFL's best punter-kicker combos. The Bills didn't bother to bring in any additional legs.
• Wood is a head knocker. His quick return from a shattered left leg and no-nonsense demeanor on the field will make him popular in Buffalo.
• After obstructed media views on the opening day, the Bills did a fine job of reorganizing their access areas to allow better viewing of 11-on-11 drills.
• Outside linebacker Aaron Maybin has a body shape that stands out the moment you see him. Maybin looks like a Wii character, with a tiny waist that flares upward toward his shoulder pads. He told me his waist is 36 inches, but in pads it seems like a 28.
• I focused on the tight ends at the blocking sled Friday morning. I saw why sophomore Shawn Nelson is viewed as more receiver than blocker. He looked considerably less powerful than the rest. While Derek Schouman, Jonathan Stupar and Michael Matthews jacked the sled, Nelson merely budged it. Nelson is listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. Only Matthews is larger at 6-4 and 270.

Ryen Russillo presented an idea that stopped me in my tracks.

At the end of my visit with Russillo on the "Scott Van Pelt Show," in which we discussed all sorts of AFC East topics Thursday afternoon, he wanted to talk about the best player on each club.

His first three were easy: Darrelle Revis for the New York Jets, Tom Brady for the New England Patriots and Brandon Marshall for the Miami Dolphins.

Then we got to the Buffalo Bills.

Russillo proposed their best player is somebody who hasn't played an NFL snap and isn't even under contract: rookie running back C.J. Spiller.

Did I agree?

Well, I think I might.

One of the biggest jokes every summer among Bills fans is wondering if punter Brian Moorman will have the team's highest Madden rating. Moorman has the team's only 90 rating in "Madden 11."

The other candidates would be receiver Lee Evans and safety Jairus Byrd.

Spiller, however, might be Buffalo's best already. The mere possibility is unfortunate.

EA Sports has given ESPN.com exclusive rights to reveal complete "Madden NFL 11" player ratings, from agility to trucking to run blocking to pursuit. The numbers started rolling out Monday, two teams at a time.

Lucky for us, the AFC East was first up. That allows us to see how all of the scores within the division compare.

Team scores came out a few weeks ago, but individual scores are the ones the players will be bragging about and talking trash over.

The game will be released in August, but for those who can't wait to see what the game will look like -- and to catch a glimpse at some notable players such as Karlos Dansby and Santonio Holmes in their new uniforms -- EA Sports has provided a photo gallery of AFC East images to sort through.

Here are some highlights from the division.

Buffalo Bills

Top five overall scores: Punter Brian Moorman (90), S Jairus Byrd (87), ILB Paul Posluszny (86), WR Lee Evans (84), RB Fred Jackson (83), CB Terrence McGee (83), S Donte Whitner (83).

Quick take: No wonder Marshawn Lynch wants to play the game as the Jets when it comes out. The Bills' top player is their punter, and they have a dearth of skill players in the 80s. But rookie running back C.J. Spiller is joystick-friendly with 95 speed, 97 acceleration and 95 agility.

Quarterback analysis: Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick each scored a 70, while Brian Brohm is a lowly 65, just two points higher than seventh-round draft pick Levi Brown. Edwards has a 62 in the swagger category, whereas Brohm and Brown are 70s.

Surprise score: Unproven left tackle Demetrius Bell scored a 74, the same number as veteran center Geoff Hangartner and one point higher than veteran tackle Cornell Green.

No respect: As ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi noted recently on "NFL Live," a Madden awareness rating of 65 or lower was the source of ridicule in the Patriots' locker room. Bills tackle Jamon Meredith received a miniscule 35.

Miami Dolphins

Top five overall scores: T Jake Long (96), WR Brandon Marshall (96), FB Lousaka Polite (91), ILB Karlos Dansby (90), RB Ronnie Brown (89), NT Randy Starks (89).

Quick take: If you love to run the ball when you play "Madden," then Miami is the team for you. In addition to Brown and Ricky Williams, it might be fun to mix in Kory Sheets, who has a 93 speed and a 95 acceleration. The average run-blocking score of their top five offensive linemen is 89.4.

Quarterback analysis: Chad Henne's overall rating of 79 is only a point higher than Chad Pennington, but Henne's throwing power is a 94 compared to Pennington's 69. But Pennington's accuracy is a 90, and his awareness is 88. Henne's 79 accuracy beats out only Brohm's 77 and Kellen Clemens' 75 among the eight AFC East quarterbacks who started a game last year.

Stud alert: When you need a big play, just hang the ball up to Marshall. His 99 score for catching in traffic is the game's highest. Maybe using Pennington to throw intermediate routes to Marshall is the way to go when you need a decent gain.

No respect: Miami's defensive backs are the lowest-rated in the division. Cornerback Vontae Davis and safety Yeremiah Bell lead the way with 82s.

New England Patriots

Top five overall scores: QB Tom Brady (95), G Logan Mankins (95), WR Randy Moss (95), NT Vince Wilfork (95), K Stephen Gostkowski (91), WR Wes Welker (91).

Quick take: The Patriots have a lot of star power at the skill positions. But their starting lineup, especially on defense, is littered with players rated in the 70s.

Quarterback analysis: Brady has the third-best overall score of any quarterback in the game. His 96 swagger rating is second. There's a big drop-off if Brady gets hurt. Backup Brian Hoyer has a 63 overall rating.

Stud alert: Moss tied for the game's top score in several categories -- 97 awareness, 99 jumping, 99 spectacular catch, 95 swagger.

No respect: The backfield is led by ... Sammy Morris? His 80 is the highest overall score among New England's running backs. Laurence Maroney is a 78.

New York Jets

Top five overall scores: CB Darrelle Revis (99), C Nick Mangold (97), NT Kris Jenkins (94), FB Tony Richardson (94), ILB David Harris (91), T D'Brickashaw Ferguson (91).

Quick take: For context, an 83 ranks among the Bills' top scores at any position. The Jets have four offensive linemen, three receivers and eight players on their defense with that score or higher.

Quarterback analysis: Mark Sanchez has an overall score of 82. His awareness came in at 74, but you otherwise won't find numbers that indicate he throws too many interceptions. His throwing accuracy is an 83.

Surprise score: Running back Shonn Greene didn't do enough in the playoffs to impress "Madden" evaluators. He has an overall score of 80, three points lower than his supposed backup, LaDainian Tomlinson, who plummeted from a 94 last year.

Stud alert: Don't test Revis. He's the best cornerback in the game, is tied for first with a 98 in man coverage and has a 97 swagger. But his toughness rating is 65, fifth-worst on the team.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their three-day minicamp Friday and broke for the summer. Here are some random thoughts from their five practices ...

• It was difficult to get any kind of idea what the offense will look like. Not only did head coach Chan Gailey rotate his top three quarterbacks through first-team rotations, but he also did the same with his skill players. For example, in a seven-on-seven drill Thursday afternoon, Trent Edwards took the "first-team" reps, but his touchdown passes went to Chad Jackson and undrafted rookie David Nelson.
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AP Photo/David DupreyIf Chan Gailey knows who his starting quarterback will be, he didn't tip his hand during minicamp.
• I'm no scout, but I thought Edwards looked better than Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm. Edwards threw a nice ball and didn't seem to make as many mistakes as Fitzpatrick and Brohm did.Brohm did close out the last practice well. Shortly after throwing an interception right to linebacker Andra Davis, he came back in a two-minute drill and found Donald Jones for a touchdown on the final play of minicamp.
• Wide receiver James Hardy, the 41st overall pick two years ago, looked like he still was getting into shape. Gailey said Friday that Hardy had been slowed down this spring but didn't say why. Turns out Hardy underwent sports hernia surgery after last season and couldn't work out for six weeks, a league source said.
• Buffalo's defensive backs have incredible hands. There's an old saying that if defensive backs could catch, then they would be wide receivers. But when I watched the Bills' secondary go through individual drills, the ball rarely touched the turf.
• Running back Marshawn Lynch didn't look obviously out of place for having missed almost every voluntary offseason workout, but Gailey noted Lynch was behind the rest of the offense in terms of knowing the playbook."I don't think he's caught up," Gailey said. "You can't miss that much and be caught up, but he seems to be a fairly quick study."
• Aaron Schobel still appears on Buffalo's roster at outside linebacker, even though the two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher hasn't shown up all spring or summer and came close to announcing his retirement two weeks ago. Gailey called the July 29 start to training camp a "natural" deadline. "Our stance hasn't changed," Gailey said. "Nothing has changed. We would have liked to have him here, but he chose not to. He's got a tough decision in his life to make, and we understand that. It's not like we don't understand. We do. He'll have a lot of catching up to do when he gets here."
• Left tackle Demetrius Bell sat out the entire offseason while recovering from knee surgery, but Gailey said Bell will be ready to participate when training camp opens.
• The Bills have one of the league's best kicker-punter combinations in Rian Lindell and Brian Moorman. The club didn't bother to bring in any other legs. The Bills didn't spend much time practicing field goals, but when they did Lindell was perfect, hitting from as deep as 53 yards by my spot.
• Compared to the other AFC East workouts I attended, the Bills were quieter and more reserved -- probably due to the fact they're installing a new offense and learning a 3-4 defense. The Miami Dolphins have that militaristic feel under barking head coach Tony Sparano, while the New York Jets are highly animated with a lot of trash talk going back and forth between the offense and defense.

The NFL Network recently rated the top 10 gadget plays of all-time.

AFC East teams dominated the list. They were involved in over half the plays, pulling off the big stunt in five of them, but getting victimized in the biggest trick of all.

10. Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown unleashes the Wildcat on the New England Patriots in 2008.

8. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hits Wes Welker on a Statue of Liberty against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007 playoffs.

5. Buffalo Bills punter/holder Brian Moorman passes to defensive end Ryan Denney for a touchdown on fake field goal against the Seattle Seahawks in 2008 opener.

3. Dan Marino's fake spike and touchdown toss to Mark Ingram to beat the New York Jets in 1994.

2. Dolphins hook and lateral -- Don Strock passes to Duriel Harris, who pitches to Tony Nathan -- against the San Diego Chargers in 1981 playoffs.

1. Music City Miracle kickoff return -- Lorenzo Neal hands off to Frank Wycheck, who passes across the field to Kevin Dyson -- to stun the Buffalo Bills in their last playoff appearance 10 seasons ago.