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Back in my days covering the National Hockey League, "man games lost" were insightful stats we used frequently. The figures helped illustrate how injuries were impacting a team's season.

Man games lost aren't avidly tracked in the NFL. Rosters are more volatile than in the NHL, where fully guaranteed contracts generally cement a roster coming out of training camp.

NFL teams cut and sign players more frequently. Injured players can dress because there's one game a week, and they can be used situationally. In the NHL, you have to play offense and defense. There are no third-down specialists you can safely insert for a shift or two.

Football Outsiders managing editor Bill Barnwell has compiled a worthwhile chart for the NFL.

Better than man games lost, it's starter games lost.

The Indianapolis Colts led the NFL with 89. The Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs were tied for fewest at 11.

In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins had the most with 62, ranking seventh in the league. They were banged-up all along the offensive and defensive lines. Receiver Brian Hartline, cornerback Will Allen and rookie defensive end Jared Odrick went to injured reserve among a few others.

The New England Patriots were tied for 10th with 54 starter games lost. Tom Brady played through a foot fracture, but they most notably lost cornerback Leigh Bodden and offensive linemen Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur.

The Buffalo Bills were tied for 21st with 42 starter games lost. That's a great development after what happened to them in 2009, when they finished with 21 players on injured reserve, including left tackle Demetrius Bell, right tackle Brad Butler, inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell, starting cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin and Terrence McGee and Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd.

The New York Jets lost starters 38 times, ranking 23rd in the league. Their biggest losses were nose tackle Kris Jenkins, safety Jim Leonhard and right tackle Damien Woody.

What do these numbers say, especially when four of the top five most injury-riddled teams (Colts, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles) made the playoffs?

It means that depth (or playing in the NFC West) is imperative to surviving.

Barnwell offered to break down the chart by upper-body and lower-body injuries, but I haven't gotten that file yet.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Shawne Merriman didn't report to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. A team spokesman said he's not sure if Merriman will report Friday either, saying the team is taking it "day by day."

Merriman does have a locker stall ready for him at One Bills Drive. It's right next to middle linebacker Paul Posluszny's and is stocked with team-issued gear with the tags still affixed.

Merriman has five days to report after the winless Bills snagged him off the waiver wire Wednesday. He's not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears in Toronto, but a source close to Merriman told me the Pro Bowl pass-rusher will show up eventually.

His new teammates are eager to meet him.

"We're excited to get him here, get him acclimated to our system and our way of doing things and get him on the field," Posluszny said.

The acquisition is a boost to Buffalo in many ways. Unless Merriman is out of shape, he becomes their best pass-rusher the moment he arrives.

The Bills are 0-7 and starving for a victory. I asked Posluszny if Merriman would have made the difference in either of their back-to-back overtime losses.

"I think so because he's a big playmaker," Posluszny said. "Any time you can bring in a guy like that who can get to the quarterback, make some things happen, he can change a game.

"The pressure he puts on a quarterback, all of a sudden that quarterback is throwing off his back foot, uncomfortable. Then we have the secondary that makes the plays that've been missing for us. It could be huge for us."

The decision to bring Merriman aboard also is symbolic. It sends a message to the organization and its fans that the Bills are not going down without a fight.

Over the past several weeks, their most notable transactions were dumping players such as quarterback Trent Edwards, running back Marshawn Lynch and linebacker Kawika Mitchell.

"It instantly upgrades you and makes you feel 'We are moving in the right direction,'" Bills safety Donte Whitner said. "It feels good that we're bringing guys in now instead of shipping them out.

"A lot of people said, 'Aw, the Bills will never pick him up.' But it's the right guy for the right scheme and the right reasons. You can't just bring guys in because of their name. You bring guys in because it's definitely a team need, and that position definitely is a team need for us."

The Buffalo Bills know they're not going to be able to compete this year and have traded one of their most talented players for middling draft considerations.

The Bills on Tuesday traded running back Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks. For a Pro Bowler two seasons ago and a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, the Bills received a fourth-round draft choice next year and a conditional pick for 2012.

It's hard to imagine the Bills being unable to get at least that much for Lynch before this year's draft.

And based on Buffalo's track record at the draft, over the past decade, you can safely assume that fourth-round pick won't turn out to be a steal.

Buffalo's front office made the move eight days after releasing Trent Edwards, the quarterback who won the starting job after six months of evaluation by head coach and play-caller Chan Gailey. A couple of days later, linebacker Kawika Mitchell asked to be released from the team and accepted an injury settlement.

The Lynch trade could be a harbinger of more moves to come. The Bills are 0-4 and considered among the worst few teams in the NFL. They ranked at the bottom of ESPN.com's latest Power Rankings.

The trade deadline is Oct. 19.

Other veterans who might be able to help the Bills accumulate some draft picks for their rebuilding phase include receiver Lee Evans, defensive lineman Marcus Stroud, safety Donte Whitner and cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Drayton Florence.

From an on-field standpoint, the Lynch trade provides some clarity in the backfield. Gailey hasn't been able to get all of his running backs involved on a consistent basis.

Fred Jackson finished last year as Buffalo's feature back, but he has just 20 rushing attempts for 87 yards and the team's only ground touchdown through four games. The Bills drafted C.J. Spiller ninth overall, but he has 14 carries for 49 yards and no touchdowns.

Lynch was Buffalo's leading rusher with 167 yards. He had been getting a bulk of the carries, but that apparently was to showcase him for a possible trade.

Lynch's stay in Buffalo was checkered.

He sparked a civic controversy for his involvement in a hit-and-run incident in Buffalo's nightclub district two years ago. Last offseason he was cited for multiple gun charges and was accused of being in possession of marijuana in California. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Lynch for the first three games of 2009.

But the new Bills' front office chose to stick with him -- as they did with Edwards -- before figuring out weeks into the regular season they'd rather not have him on the roster anymore.

Two announcements to make:

The Buffalo Bills reached an injury settlement with linebacker Kawika Mitchell and released him as expected.

Then, in a stunning turn of events that rocked the football community, SportsNation moved up my weekly AFC East chat to 2 p.m. ET Friday.

I realize the scheduling change will throw your entire afternoon out of whack, and I apologize for that. My usual 3 p.m. time slot is the perfect time for a distraction to help happy hour arrive a little quicker.

Of course, the impact will depend on how you make your adjustments and how much of a derelict you are in the office. Maybe this will get your weekend started an hour earlier, too.

Out of frustration with the Buffalo Bills' front office, linebacker Kawika Mitchell has asked for his release and could get his wish as soon as Friday.

The Bills placed Mitchell on injured reserve with a foot injury, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports they are working out an injury settlement that would allow Mitchell to play for another team once healthy. Mitchell believes he can play this season.

Mitchell might get cut four days after openly questioning the Bills' decision to waive quarterback Trent Edwards a week after losing the job to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Mitchell fired off some tweets after news broke Monday.

1. 
   KawikaMitchell Wow. Bills let Trent Edwards go today. I know he wasn't starting but...? Huh 27 Sep 2010 from Echofon
2. 
   KawikaMitchell Not sure why buffalobills.com titled their story on Trent "Trent's Record". JP's record was worse. And tension in the locker was a reason?? 27 Sep 2010 from Echofon
3. 
   KawikaMitchell I definitely like Fitz at QB but it's key to have a backup with experience. Sure there's a plan behind this. What do u guys think? 27 Sep 2010 from Echofon

That wasn't the first time Mitchell tweeted his displeasure with the Bills over a personnel move. He also blasted them for claiming guard Richie Incognito off waivers last year.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Miami Dolphins opened the season with a 15-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Here's a quick overview.

What it means: Both teams raised more questions than delivered answers. The Dolphins clearly were the better team, but their inability to pull away from an opponent that struggled all day should be disconcerting. The Dolphins dictated on defense for the most part, but on fourth-and-11 from their own 31-yard line, they yielded a 31-yard scoring strike from Trent Edwards to Roscoe Parrish with 5:13 left in the game.

What I liked: The Dolphins successfully played a ball-control game and were dominant on defense despite not having inside linebacker Channing Crowder (groin) and outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis (illness). The Dolphins held the Bills to 166 total yards. The Dolphins had the ball nearly 14 minutes longer than the Bills did.

The Dolphins had a balanced offense. Ronnie Brown rushed for 65 yards. Ricky Williams rushed for 62 yards. Brandon Marshall had eight receptions for 53 yards. Davone Bess had six catches for 51 yards.

Parrish was a weapon for the Bills. Previous coach Dick Jauron rarely used Parrish in the offense and stripped him of return duties. Parrish finished with two receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown and had a 19-yard punt return.

What I didn't like: Bills coach Chan Gailey raved about his three running backs, but none of them cracked 20 yards against the swarming Dolphins' defense. Rookie C.J. Spiller ran six times for 7 yards. Edwards was third in rushing yards with 12 yards. The Bills were intent to throw, and that seemingly was just fine with the Dolphins.

The Dolphins, who have constantly tinkered with their offensive line, were shaky in pass protection against a team that overhauled its defense and was banged up. The Bills sacked Chad Henne three times.

Unsung hero: Brandon Fields dropped a punt on the Bills' 1-yard line with 1:48 to play and the Dolphins clinging to a 3-point lead.

Injuries of note: The Bills lost inside linebacker Paul Posluszny early in the third quarter to a knee injury. Despite missing four games last year, he led the Bills with 115 tackles. Posluszny has a checkered medical history. He played only three games his rookie season because of a broken forearm. He broke his arm again in last year's season opener. A prolonged recovery would be a crushing blow for Buffalo, who lost top backup inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell for the season to a foot injury.

What's next: The Dolphins begin a brutal stretch of games next week with the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome. That game is followed by five playoff opponents over the next six games, with the Pittsburgh Steelers the exception. The Bills play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 1:

Game plans will be an exercise in speculation. There's always a healthy dose of mystery heading into opening weekend. Teams withhold much of their playbooks throughout the preseason, creating wonder about how a new player will be utilized or how much coaching philosophies might have changed since the year before. Whoever guesses best likely will win Sunday's matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium. New Bills coach Chan Gailey has installed his offense and has switched the defense to a 3-4. The Bills also will show their full backfield for the first time. Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch return from injuries sustained in the preseason opener. With them out, rookie lightning bolt C.J. Spiller was limited to tailback duties. Where will Spiller line up now? Could be anywhere. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Gailey has been watching Denver Broncos film and trying to project how Nolan will use the Dolphins' roster.

The New England Patriots defense could be in for a long afternoon. The Patriots better have something up their sleeves for the Cincinnati Bengals. Otherwise, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens will have plenty to crow about. How will the Patriots contain the Bengals, who have placed an emphasis on their passing game? They added T.O. and drafted tight end Jermaine Gresham in the first round to help quarterback Carson Palmer. The Bengals have a strong enough rushing attack to keep any defense honest. Straight up, the Patriots appear to be at a disadvantage against the pass. The Patriots have the NFL's least experienced cornerbacks in Darius Butler and rookie Devin McCourty. As for a pass rush, the Patriots haven't had an effective one for a couple of years.

Don't dismiss the possibility of a big game from Darrelle Revis. The All-Pro cornerback had one week of practice to get ready for Monday night's opener against the Baltimore Ravens. He missed training camp and all four preseason games during his contract dispute. But that doesn't mean Revis will be rusty. Remember when the Jets signed cornerback Ty Law off the street in November 2008 for a Thursday night game against the Patriots? Law was 34, and they lined him up against Randy Moss. In the first half, Moss had zero receptions. He finished with three catches for 23 yards, and it took a pinpoint Matt Cassel rollout pass and a sensational sideline grab to beat Law for a 16-yard touchdown. Revis isn't 34 years old, and he wasn't signed off a free-agent scrap heap just before Thanksgiving. Revis kept himself in shape while AWOL, working out with a fellow Aliquippa, Pa., native named Ty Law.

If you have Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams on your fantasy team, start them. Heck, fourth-stringer Lex Hilliard might be a decent option against the Bills' run defense. The Bills' transition to a 3-4 defense hasn't made them noticeably better against the run, and they ranked 30th last year. The Bills were on the smallish side to begin with, and they're dealing with injuries at linebacker. Starting outside linebacker Reggie Torbor and backup inside linebacker Antonio Coleman won't play. Top inside linebacker reserve Kawika Mitchell was placed on season-ending injured reserve Friday. Newly acquired inside linebacker Akin Ayodele will be deactivated until he learns the system. On top of all those circumstances, Buffalo boasts a formidable secondary. Motivation for Miami to throw will be low.

Left guard, not quarterback, could turn out to be the Jets' weakest link. All eyes will be on Mark Sanchez on Monday night. So they might not see the peripheral blurs attacking him in the pocket. Left guard is among the chief concerns. The Jets featured a mimeograph offensive line over the past two seasons. That's 33 games of continuity for one of the best units in the league. But the Jets cut Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca, and his potential replacements have been shaky. Matt Slauson won the job by default over disappointing rookie Vladimir Ducasse. As head coach Rex Ryan acknowledged in "Hard Knocks," there's not a lot of faith in either of them to keep Sanchez off his back.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Miami Dolphins fans have been eager to see what kind of aerial fury their team will unleash.

The first chance to see how the Dolphins intend to conduct their offense will be Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Bills outside linebacker Reggie Torbor chuckled when asked what to expect from the Dolphins. He has a little intel, having played every game for the Dolphins over the past two years.

"Everybody's so caught up in Brandon Marshall and Chad Henne," Torbor said, "but if you don't stop their run game, you can put whoever you want on Marshall because Henne's just going to turn around and hand the ball off. That's the way they play football.

"They'll pound you and pound you. And when they think you've had enough, they'll pound you some more."

There are various reasons to expect the Dolphins will emphasize the run Sunday. The Bills have an opportunistic secondary the Dolphins might not have to test. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams against the Bills' front seven looks favorable enough.

The Bills have switched to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator George Edwards, a Dolphins assistant the past five years. Kyle Williams is an undersized nose tackle. The Bills have many linebackers who were drafted or previously signed to play a 4-3, meaning they're smaller and sleeker than you'd see in a traditional 3-4.

And they're a bit banged up. Torbor isn't a wise bet to play. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with a chest injury. The Bills placed inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell on season-ending injured reserve Friday with a bad foot.

"The O-line is physical," Torbor said of the Dolphins. "In this day and age, people go so much zone scheme. They believe in blowing people off the ball. I guess you can't make a tackle if you're lying on your back.

"Then you have the physical running backs that complement that. They don't have 200-pound scatbacks back there. It's not enough to beat the O-line and beat the fullback. You still got to bring down Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams."

Torbor, released by the Dolphins in May, didn't get a chance to learn much from new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. But he can speak about the impact new inside linebacker Karlos Dansby can make for Miami. Torbor and Dansby were teammates at Auburn.

"He's a game-changer," Torbor said. "He's the type of guy who will not make many plays, it seems like. But about middle of the second quarter, third quarter, all of a sudden -- boom! He does that week in, week out. He's just known for it."

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are loading up on Miami Dolphins castoffs before their game Sunday in Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Bills on Friday announced they've placed inside linebacker Kawika Mitchell on season-ending injured reserve and signed Akin Ayodele, who spent the past two years as a starter for the Miami Dolphins.

The signing will allow Ayodele to continue his remarkable streak of games played for an inside linebacker. He hasn't missed a game since he entered the NFL as a third-round pick out of Purdue in 2002. He has started all but 11 games over the past seven years.

Ayodele will be reunited with former Dolphins teammate Reggie Torbor. They were handpicked by former Dolphins football operations boss Bill Parcells to help rebuild from a 1-15 season. Both were released after this offseason.

Pacells coached Ayodele with the Dallas Cowboys and swung a trade to acquire him and tight end Anthony Fasano at the 2008 draft.

Miami tired of Ayodele because he was a huge liability against the pass. The coaching staff got sick of giving up mortifying plays in the middle of the field and whacked Ayodele and safety Gibril Wilson.

The Denver Broncos signed Ayodele in April, but he didn't survive training camp.

Mitchell was a starter last season until a knee injury ended his season after five games. In the Bills' conversion to a 3-4 defense, Mitchell took a back seat to Paul Posluszny and Andra Davis.

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.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- A few notes from Thursday's opening session at Buffalo Bills training camp:

• Outside linebacker Chris Kelsay left the field with a shoulder injury. Head coach Chan Gailey wasn't sure how much time Kelsay would miss, but did say "it looks like he'll be out a little while."
• The Bills placed indecisive outside linebacker Aaron Schobel on the reserve/did-not-report list. They placed linebackers Nic Harris and Jon Corto on the physically unable-to-perform list.
• Inside linebacker Paul Posluszny watched in a ballcap. He revealed Wednesday he underwent minor groin surgery this month and will be eased back into action. Kawika Mitchell replaced Posluszny on the field.
• Steve Johnson was the No. 2 receiver opposite Lee Evans. Bills coach Chan Gailey said Johnson earned the opportunity through his strong offseason performance.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick threw the first interception of camp in a seven-on-seven drill. He tossed a floater intended for Evans in the right flat, but cornerback Leodis McKelvin jumped in and stole it. Given the quarterback battle, I'd like to have chronicled other interceptions but couldn't because ...
• If the first day is any indication, then it will be difficult for reporters to be the eyes and ears of the fans at Bills camp. New media policies place us at field level and at the back of one end zone. When the team conducted 11-on-11 drills Thursday, players not in the action formed a blockade that prevented us from viewing who's on the field, what plays they're running or how they looked executing them.
• We could plainly see Demetrius Bell during 11-on-11 drills because he was part of the cordon. He lined up at starting left tackle during a casual drill early in practice, but watched when action got heavy. Gailey said Bell's surgically repaired knee isn't quite ready yet.
• The crowd at St. John Fisher was as sparse as I've seen it. Veteran reporters who've covered this team since they moved training camp here in 2000 said it was among the thinnest and most disengaged gatherings they could remember. Granted, the first practice started at 3 p.m. on a Thursday, but schools aren't in session either. While trying to catch a glimpse of 11-on-11 drills, a few reporters discussed how autographs are such a big part of the training-camp experience, but who on the Bills' roster would compel fans to make the effort? Terrell Owens certainly helped in that regard last year.

Buffalo Bills

Former Florida QB Tim Tebow is in town for a visit with team officials.

Count Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell among those in favor of the team's transition to a 3-4 scheme.

Miami Dolphins

Ethan J. Skolnick of the Sun Sentinel looks at how the Dolphins stack up on offense and defense against the rest of the division.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald cites a dozen or so players who need to step up in 2010 if the Dolphins hope to return to the postseason.

New England Patriots

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald gets the scoop on a few former USC Trojans the Patriots may be looking at in April's draft.

Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones shed some light on what the Patriots might be thinking in light of their relatively quiet offseason.

New York Jets

The Sporting News goes one-on-one with Jets linebacker Calvin Pace.

Is the recent behavior exhibited by Woody Johnson really out of character? The New York Times has the story in an in-depth look at the Jets' owner.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Up until this week, the Buffalo Bills' front office didn't have much to say. In a couple of news conferences, new general manager Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey couldn't provide much of a roster analysis, repeatedly citing their "evaluation process" to learn what material they have to work with.

Now their ideas are starting to emerge.

Gailey gabbed between bites of muffin at an AFC coaches breakfast Tuesday morning. The get-together was part of the NFL owners meetings at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.

I've already posted on some of Gailey's thoughts, including his interest in drafting a scatback and his thoughts on University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

But here are a few more for ravenous Bills fans hungry for information on how their team's front office views the team:

Preference to have quarterback situation settled before draft: Gailey said he would like for the Bills' quarterback ambiguity to gain definition.

"That would be ideal," Gailey said. "You'd like to have everything settled before you went into the draft. The problem comes if you don't solve an issue before the draft. Then you have to try and solve it in the draft. Then if you don't solve it before the draft or in the draft, now your back's to the wall and everybody knows it. That's a bind you get into. Now they can hold you up."

No update on Schobel: Gailey said he's still waiting to learn whether two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Aaron Schobel will return to the Bills or retire.

"The biggest thing for him is his family," Gailey said. "He's been moving his kids back and forth. He wants to get them a little bit more established I think. Now, if he does that, then does he want to be gone for that long? That's a tough call, to be honest with you.

"I can see his dilemma. I'd love for him to play, but I understand being a husband and a daddy, too."

Defensive front seven: Gailey declined to name starters or designate a nose tackle, but he sketched out who will play where in the new 3-4 defense. On the defensive line, he listed Dwan Edwards, Spencer Johnson, Marcus Stroud, Kyle Williams. At inside linebacker, he named Andra Davis, Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell. At outside linebacker, he named Chris Ellis, Chris Kelsay, Aaron Maybin and Schobel.

Intrigued by Bell at left tackle: Many looked at Demetrius Bell's season at left tackle and saw a train wreck. Gailey was shocked at how well Bell performed relative to how raw he was coming out of Northwestern State. But it sounded like Gailey viewed Bell as more of a work in progress than a genuine NFL left tackle.

"I was shocked at how well he played because I watched him just like everybody else did and said 'That guy is a loooong way away' when he was coming out and being drafted," Gailey said. "I was impressed with how he played last year. Everything's relative. I was impressed because of where he was compared to where I thought he would be, not because he's a seasoned pro, ready to take on the world and be an All-Pro player. But I was impressed with how far he'd come."

When asked how Bell looks as a reliable left tackle, Gailey's response was tempered.

"Got a lot of work to do, but has a lot of ability and a chance to get there," he said.

Rob in Arlington, Va., doesn't like how the Patriots have approached the offseason compared to how active the Jets have been. Rob writes "I know it seems ridiculous to say, but aren't the Patriots basically just conceding the division in March?"

Whether you see the AFC runner-up Jets as pulling away from the Patriots, or the 9-7 Jets gaining ground on the defending AFC East champion Patriots, I'm not convinced there's been that much difference in what each club has done so far. ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi, however, thinks Patriots fans should be concerned.

The Jets have made the splashier moves, trading for cornerback Antonio Cromartie and signing free-agent back LaDainian Tomlinson. Granted, the Cromartie acquisition was an inspired maneuver that could give the Jets the NFL's top cornerback tandem. But I don't believe Tomlinson is a significant upgrade over Thomas Jones, and the Jets have gotten weaker at safety by trading Kerry Rhodes.

The Patriots have concentrated on re-signing their own players, but they're biggies: franchise nose tackle Vince Wilfork, sacks leader Tully Banta-Cain, cornerback Leigh Bodden and running back Kevin Faulk. Those are core players.

So I would advise Patriots fans not to freak out, and I would advise Jets fans not to get too carried away in the spring.

Jud it Utica, N.Y., wants to know if I saw the renewal reminder the Bills sent out to their season-ticket holders.

For those who haven't seen it, the ad features an unfortunate photo of Brian Moorman punting out of his own end zone against the Browns, an atrocious game the Bills lost 6-3 in overtime in Week 5. The personalized message includes the ticket holder's name and "awaiting your return."

FanHouse writer Pat McManamon exchanged e-mails with Bills executive marketing director Andy Major, who explained the photo simply "was one of our best that included the scoreboard in the background."

My thoughts are that the Bills probably wanted to incorporate a scoreboard shot, thinking it was cool to put the season-ticket holder's name "in lights" and came up with a nice play on words about returning. Maybe a better option would be to use a shot of rookie safety Jairus Byrd, who tied for the NFL lead in interception returns.

Kevin in Lafayette, N.J., is one of many readers who wants to know what the Dolphins plan on doing at receiver. Dan in Syracuse is among a group who wonders if the Dolphins will trade for Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall.

If I'd kept track of questions since my AFC East mailbag opened in the summer of 2008, by far and away the most frequently asked would pertain to what the Dolphins intend to do at receiver.

The Dolphins know they need another receiver. What's stopping them is the front office's belief receivers are overvalued in the current market. The Dolphins have been reluctant to pay the going rate, whether it be in dollars (for a free agent) or draft assets (in a trade).

Where this offseason could be different is they now have a quarterback with an arm that can test defenses deep. Chad Henne played last year with a receiving corps assembled with Chad Pennington in mind. The Dolphins might be ready to open it up this year now that they have a quarterback who can manufacture big plays with the right personnel. Henne recently dropped hints that he wants another receiver.

Do the Dolphins go after Marshall? I'm confident they've checked into it, but after two years of tracking their inability or unwillingness to procure a fearsome receiver so far -- window shopping for Braylon Edwards last year or declining to get into trade talks with the Cardinals for Anquan Boldin a few weeks ago -- my frame of mind is such that I'll be stunned if they ever get somebody.

Kevin in Chesapeake, Va., takes note of a Rumor Central item about the Jets acquiring Marshall in a trade that would involve Edwards. Kevin supports that trade and wonders whether the rumor has any basis in fact.

A week ago, National Football Post insider Michael Lombardi wrote the Jets were considering whether it would be worth their while to pursue a trade for Marshall. That report quickly became an Internet brush fire that suggested the Jets were in serious talks.

A Jets source informed me later that day there was no substance to the Marshall gossip. Similar dismissals were reported by the New York papers and the Associated Press. That said, a lot can change in a week. With most of the owners, general managers and coaches convening for the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., for the next few days, you never know where the conversations could lead.

Andrew from Geneva, N.Y., wants to know what the Bills' linebacking corps will look like now that they've signed free-agent inside linebacker Andra Davis.

That's an excellent question, Andrew, and one I hope to gain some insight about from Bills coach Chan Gailey on Tuesday morning. He's scheduled to be available for a media breakfast at the NFL owners meetings.

It's a little difficult to project the Bills' defense for next year because they are switching to a 3-4 scheme. Most of their roster was put together for the Tampa 2-style 4-3 defense the Bills ran under former coach Dick Jauron. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny will remain inside, of course, but what of Kawika Mitchell? Does Mitchell remain inside or move outside? Can defensive ends Aaron Schobel (if he doesn't retire), Chris Kelsay and Aaron Maybin play outside linebacker?

A lot of questions must be answered, but it will take months to learn the answers.

There's no questioning the Miami Dolphins have added some nastiness to their offensive line with Wednesday's signing of guard Richie Incognito.

They've also injected a healthy dose of confusion into the locker room.

Three Dolphins players I've spoken with since the team signed Incognito to a one-year contract expressed intrigue over the move. In general, they like his ability and versatility. But the players claim Incognito's arrival undercuts what football operations boss Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano have preached about character since they took over the team.

"I think he'll make our line better," one Dolphins player said. "But I don't get it. What he represents goes against everything they've been telling us."

Not acting like a buffoon long has been a hallmark of a Parcells organization. Sparano doesn't put up with on-the-field shenanigans either. Players who can't control themselves are asked to turn in their playbooks.

Yet the Dolphins are introducing a player onto their roster whose career is infamously based on personal fouls, blowups and fines.

Incognito committed 11 personal fouls in less than four seasons with the St. Louis Rams. They waived him in December after a game in which he committed two personal fouls and got into a sideline confrontation with head coach Steve Spagnuolo.

The NFL fined Incognito $50,000 for his actions in that game. League disciplinarian Ray Anderson sent a letter to Incognito to inform him the next transgression could lead to a suspension.

Remember how Buffalo Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell reacted via Twitter when they claimed Incognito off waivers in December?

"BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT THIS YR. THE GUYS A BUM. DIRTY AND ALWAYS WILL BE. REALLY WISH I WAS PLAYIN RITE NOW. SERIOUSLY... I KNO WE'RE N NEED OF OLINE BUT THIS GUY ..."

The reaction of Dolphins players I spoke with wasn't nearly that strong, but it was in the zip code.

The Dolphins have prided themselves on being a clean team. The Dolphins committed 68 accepted penalties for 640 yards last year. Only three teams had fewer accepted penalties and were assessed fewer penalty yards.

Incognito was whistled for 10 accepted penalties for 115 yards. His accumulated transgressions would be 18 percent of the Dolphins' entire team.

The Dolphins need help on their interior line. They've been on the lookout for depth at guard for two years.

Left guard Justin Smiley is a clear-cut starter when healthy, but he has missed 13 games over the past three seasons with leg and shoulder injuries. Right guard Donald Thomas has immense potential but lost his starting job to Nate Garner with the season on the line in Week 14, days before the Dolphins put in the waiver claim for Incognito but lost him to the Bills.

Incognito didn't ingratiate himself to the Bills in his short time with them. Their new front office declined to tender a qualifying offer, forfeiting their restricted free agency rights to him.

The Dolphins must believe they can keep Incognito in check.

Personnel men and coaches routinely are convinced, even though others failed previously, that they can fix a problem player. Parcells and Sparano have a better shot than most. Parcells has a track record, and Sparano's roots are as an O-line coach.

Incognito has been apologetic about his past misdeeds and has professed a desire to keep his emotions under control.

In the locker room, however, players are skeptical about the decision and wonder about the mixed message.