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Wide receivers Vincent Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Laurent Robinson, Josh Morgan, Eric Weems and Harry Douglas have found new homes after hitting the NFL's free-agent market.

Franchise tags essentially removed from consideration Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson.

Others, such as Marques Colston, re-signed before free agency.

Teams still searching for help at the position -- that would be pretty much everyone but Seattle in the NFC West -- are left with a picked-over group of free agents.

Jerome Simpson, Burress, Brandon Lloyd, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aromashodu, Roy Williams, Mario Manningham and Early Doucet are the only ones remaining to have played at least half of their team's offensive snaps during the 2011 season.

As the chart shows, Burress was particularly effective in the red zone for the New York Jets. He converted first downs 38 times in 45 receptions for the third-highest percentage among wide receivers with at least 40 receptions, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Burress is also up there in age. He's among 12 available wideouts already in their 30s: Hines Ward (36), Burress (34), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (34), Kevin Curtis (33), Patrick Crayton (32), Deion Branch (32), Rashied Davis (32), Donte Stallworth (31), Jerheme Urban (31), Bryant Johnson (31), Lloyd (30) and Williams (30).

Of them, Lloyd has visited the San Francisco 49ers.

Nine more are 29 years old: Greg Camarillo, Keary Colbert, Mark Clayton, Jerricho Cotchery, Roscoe Parrish, Michael Clayton, Courtney Roby, Michael Spurlock and Braylon Edwards.

Still interested?

OK, let's check out 18 others, all younger than 29: David Anderson, Legedu Naanee, Devin Aroshamodu, Donnie Avery, Anthony Gonzalez, Maurice Stovall, Derek Hagan, Mike Sims-Walker, Ted Ginn Jr., Andre Caldwell, Steve Smith, Doucet, Brett Swain, Chaz Schilens, Simpson, Manningham, Devin Thomas and Kevin Ogletree.

Schilens visited Arizona and San Francisco. Manningham visited the 49ers and the St. Louis Rams.

I've also broken down the available wideouts by drafted round:

• First: Williams, Burress, Ginn, Stallworth, both Claytons, Johnson, Gonzalez and Edwards
• Second: Avery, Thomas, Simpson, Smith, Parrish, Branch, Colbert
• Third: Roby, Doucet, Hagan, Stovall, Manningham, Caldwell, Curtis, Sims-Walker, Ward
• Fourth: Cotchery, Lloyd
• Fifth: Legedu Naanee
• Sixth: none
• Seventh: Houshmandzadeh, Crayton, Schilens, Aromashodu, Anderson, Swain
• Undrafted: Davis, Urban, Camarillo, Spurlock, Ogletree

Only a handful of the available receivers project as starters. None would qualify as an outright game-breaker.

The Rams in particular need playmakers, but in looking at what is available, how many would qualify as dramatically better than what they already have? Austin Pettis, Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Greg Salas and restricted free agent Danny Amendola are their current wideouts.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Nick Barnett knew bad news was coming this summer, and he still couldn’t fully accept it. Despite his eight seasons with Green Bay, the speculation was that the Packers had to trade or release him this offseason. Barnett had been placed on injured reserve in both the 2008 and 2010 seasons, and his heir apparent, Desmond Bishop, already was in place. It was a no-brainer move to most observers, even though Barnett was still thinking about the possibility of helping the Packers repeat as Super Bowl champions. “If you read my tweets,” he said, “that’s all I kept talking about.”

These days Barnett is talking about something different -- how he can help the Bills transform one of the league’s worst defenses into a sturdy, reliable unit. No team in the NFL was worse against the run in 2010 (Buffalo allowed 169.6 yards per game), and that was one key reason the team signed Barnett so quickly after the Packers released him in late July. At 30, he still has the quickness and playmaking ability that allowed him to amass 787 tackles, 15.5 sacks and nine interceptions during his Green Bay career. He’s also aware that his energy and leadership will be invaluable to a team that lost its top tackler, Paul Posluszny, in free agency.

Bills assistant head coach and linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt said Barnett already is the team’s best linebacker. Head coach Chan Gailey has raved about his new player’s approach. “He brings experience and speed to this defense,” Gailey said. “He’s a guy who always plays fast.” Added Barnett: “I’m just trying to be myself. I haven’t played since Week 4 [a dislocated wrist ended his season] so I’m still finding my way. But the biggest thing I wanted to bring to this team was an attitude. I want to help the younger guys relax and have fun out there because that’s what I do.”

Though Barnett needed some time to accept his release from the Packers -- “I’ve never been fired from anything before,” he said -- he quickly sensed that Buffalo was the right place for him. He liked the team atmosphere, the family environment and the die-hard fans who are the city’s trademark. In many ways, Barnett felt like he was going to a place quite similar to Green Bay. “The talent level is there,” Barnett said. “But like everything, it’s going to come down to communication and attitude. If we do those things, we’ll be productive.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Will Ryan Fitzpatrick be better? Yes. Fitzpatrick was a decent quarterback in 2010 -- 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions -- especially considering that he was basically thrown into the job after the Bills gave up on former starter Trent Edwards. Fitzpatrick also has far more advantages coming into this season, despite not having an entire offseason to work with coaches. The major areas that he needs to improve? Accuracy and consistency. What he doesn’t have to worry about any longer? Proving to his teammates that he can lead this team and knowing whether the job is his alone. “Last season was interesting, but my whole career has been about being ready to show what you can do when the opportunity comes,” said Fitzpatrick, who spent his first five NFL seasons as a backup before getting his shot as a full-time starter three games into 2010. “One of the good things we have as an offense is that we have a lot of guys who’ve spent an entire season playing together and getting familiar with each other. When you look at the offenses in New England and Indianapolis, that continuity is what makes them so successful, and now we’re one step closer to that.”

2. Can Shawne Merriman return to an elite level? As long as he’s healthy. Right now the three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker thinks that the strained Achilles that limited him to only three games last season won’t be an issue. The bigger challenge for him is finding a comfort level after registering only four sacks over the past three seasons. The Bills are banking on his getting up to speed in a hurry. For a team that tied for 27^th in the NFL in sacks last season (with 27), having a rejuvenated Merriman harassing opposing quarterbacks would be a much-needed blessing. “I don’t feel like I need to respond to people who’ve been counting me out over the last couple years because all you have to do is watch me practice,” said Merriman, who had 43.5 sacks in his first 60 career games. “It’s definitely been hard [not playing] but I also feel like I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do to get back. I can see good things happening this season.”

3. What role will C.J. Spiller play in the offense? One of the more disappointing aspects of the Bills' offense in 2010 was the lack of productivity from Spiller. Drafted ninth overall in last year’s draft, he was supposed to bring breathtaking speed and elusiveness to the Bills. Instead, Spiller wound up with only 283 rushing yards and 24 receptions in his rookie season. Those numbers should increase now that Buffalo has a less crowded backfield (the team traded Marshawn Lynch to Seattle midway through last season) and a greater sense of urgency about involving Spiller. “We need to get him more touches,” Gailey said. “We need to find more ways to get him in space so he can use that speed. He’s already grown as a runner because he’s better at running inside, and he’s shown more patience. The one thing I’d really like to see him improve on now is ball security. He had some problems with fumbles last year [Spiller had five fumbles and lost three], and we can’t have that.”

WELCOME SIGHT

Roscoe Parrish: The Bills' offensive players know that Parrish has developed into a valuable receiver after being used mainly as a returner early in his career. They realize it even more now that he’s healthy. After missing the last eight games of 2010 with a broken wrist, Parrish has been impressing teammates with his trademark speed and quickness. The explosiveness he brings to the offense after sitting out half a year also hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Now that he’s back, you remember how much he means to this offense,” Fitzpatrick said. “He really adds another dimension.”

PLAYER TO WATCH

Brad Smith: Don’t be surprised if Smith becomes a more dangerous playmaker in the Bills’ offense. He made his name as a kick returner/wide receiver/Wildcat quarterback with the New York Jets, and rule changes should allow him to increase his playing time in Buffalo. The NFL agreed to abolish the rule requiring teams to determine a third quarterback on game-day rosters -- that player could participate only in emergency situations, and his presence would prevent the team from using any other quarterback during a game. Now a player like Smith can be used far more often in Wildcat situations. Even if Smith appears as a quarterback in three or four plays a game, his involvement won’t limit his coaches’ options. “We were going to use him in a similar role anyway, but that rule really helps,” said Gailey, who has gained a reputation for finding creative roles for versatile players. “Now you don’t have to wonder about whether he needs to be listed as a third quarterback who can only play in emergency situations or if he can be used as a Wildcat quarterback whenever we like. It’s going to make a big difference.”

OBSERVATION DECK

• [+] Enlarge
  Rick Stewart/Getty ImagesFirst round draft pick Marcell Dareus has impressed his coaches in training camp.
  Rookie defensive end Marcell Dareus hasn’t needed much time to make a strong impression on his coaches. Wannstedt called him a “special kid with the right approach to the game,” and Gailey thinks it shouldn’t take long for Dareus to prove why he was worthy of the third overall pick in this year’s draft. “He’s a big, physical guy and he’s got an edge to him,” Gailey said of Dareus, who's 6-3 and weighs 323. “You have to like that about him.”

• Even though the Bills lost their second-best tackler from last season -- strong safety Donte Whitner -- the loss may not be as troubling as it looks. Though he was a strong presence in run support, the team thinks strong safety George Wilson can help the Bills more in the playmaking department. When Whitner was injured two years ago, the tandem of Wilson and Jairus Byrd gave the secondary a bigger boost with their pass defense skills.

• The emphasis on stopping the run is going to put more pressure on the Bills cornerbacks this season. Gailey believes he has the personnel to handle the increased responsibility, and Terrence McGee is essential to this approach. He has spent more time covering slot receivers in training camp, which will allow Leodis McKelvin and Drayton Florence to handle outside receivers when the defense faces three-receiver looks.

• Wide receiver Donald Jones is another player worth watching. When asked about teammates who have caught his eye early in training camp, Fitzpatrick said Jones had elevated his game in his second season. An undrafted rookie in 2010, Jones was a nice surprise in camp and finished with 18 receptions. This year he’s using his size and strength to make himself a tough receiver to handle at the line of scrimmage.

• The Bills recognize that their biggest challenge this season will be learning how to change expectations. Gailey has talked about the difference between hoping to win and expecting to win, and his players believe they can make great strides. Fitzpatrick agreed that last season, too many players were worried about losing their jobs as the team transitioned into Gailey’s tenure. This year, there is far more comfort and a sense of purpose on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999. “We definitely need to take the approach that we deserve to win,” Fitzpatrick said. “And we have a chip on our shoulders. We hear all the people talking about how tough the AFC East is, and nobody mentions our name. That can be fuel for our fire, and we have to believe we can surprise people.”

» NFC Underrated Players: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A team-by-team look at the most underrated players in the division.

Buffalo Bills

Roscoe Parrish, receiver/punt returner: For five years,Parrish practically begged to be thrown the ball. He made the most of his touches, becoming one of the most dangerous punt returners in the NFL and setting franchise records.

But his listed position was wide receiver, and in the Bills' passing game under head coaches Mike Mularkey and Dick Jauron, the undersized Parrish always seemed to be an afterthought.

That changed last year under new coach Chan Gailey. He played just eight games because of a broken wrist, but Parrish caught 33 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage was the most of his career. His TDs tied a career-high. Two more receptions would have matched a career-high.

Miami Dolphins

Kendall Langford, defensive end: On a defense with sack master Cameron Wake, the NFL's highest-paid linebacker in Karlos Dansby, franchise-tagged nose tackle Paul Soliai and Pro Bowl defensive end Randy Starks, a guy like Langford can get overlooked.

Langford, a 2008 third-round pick out of Hampton, has been a starter since his rookie season. Last year, after he gained national fame for being the sap who lost a $50,000 earring on the Dolphins' practice field, Langford produced a quality season for the one of the NFL's better defenses. He notched 47 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed.

Langford is adept at controlling blockers and was a major reason why the Dolphins ranked seventh in run defense (100.1 yards per game) and third in average allowed per carry (3.6 yards).

New England Patriots

Gary Guyton, linebacker: Guyton started only eight games at linebacker last season, and half of those were necessitated by Brandon Spikes' four-game suspension. Even so, Guyton made a mark on the Patriots' defense. The undrafted third-year pro from Georgia Tech recorded 63 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), six passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery (returned for another touchdown).

"Gary is someone that fits in our system very well no matter what that role is," Patriots linebackers coach Matt Patricia said during the playoffs. "He's a very [versatile] player for us. He does an excellent job in whatever avenue we ask him to prepare and play. I think he is a guy who is active and plays for us every Sunday, and whatever that role is he's going to go out and do it to the best of his ability. It’s something that we have a lot of confidence in."

New York Jets

Brandon Moore, right guard: The Jets' offensive line has had remarkable star power over the past few seasons. Nick Mangold is an All-Pro center. Left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson went to the Pro Bowl last season. Right tackle Damien Woody has been to the Pro Bowl and owns Super Bowl rings. Alan Faneca, the Jets' left guard in 2008 and 2009, went to nine straight Pro Bowls.

Then there was Moore, an undrafted and often-overlooked workhorse. "Meat," as he's affectionately known by his teammates, has started 105 straight regular-season games. He was a third alternate for the Pro Bowl last year but still hasn't made it to one. In the Jets' locker room, he's respected enough to be a union representative.

"It's a shame that Brandon doesn't get as much of a nod as he deserves," Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said last season. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better guard than him in all of football."

The NFL long has been a quarterback-dominated league.

But quarterbacks will be more important than ever in 2011 if a protracted labor stoppage wipes out offseason workouts or encroaches on training camps.

ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton wrote a column on the topic, stressing teams with stability at quarterback could emerge way ahead of those that do not once a new collective bargaining agreement is brokered.

Several clubs, two in the AFC East, are evaluating their quarterback situations and are open to addressing their needs through free agency, trades or the draft.

We have no idea when free agency will commence or player trades will be permitted. The longer teams must wait on those options, the less time there will be to learn playbooks and develop chemistry with receivers.

With that in mind, let's rank each situation in the AFC East based on how much its quarterback and infrastructure (stability of his supporting cast) will be able to withstand NFL dormancy.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have one of the NFL's most consistent situations. Tom Brady is the reigning MVP, guided his team to a 14-2 record and has all of his receivers coming back.

He and Deion Branch have an eerie chemistry that resurfaced immediately despite 3 1/2 years apart. I don't think Brady and Wes Welker need to worry about getting on the same page, but I wouldn't be shocked if they worked out regularly again like they did last summer, while Welker was rehabbing from his knee injury. Brady proved how quickly he can integrate new blood by the way he used rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien will call the plays for the third season. The Patriots, like the Indianapolis Colts with Peyton Manning, will be just fine if there's a lengthy lockout.

New York Jets


Fact: Mark Sanchez has the second-most NFL starts of any No. 1 quarterback in the AFC East. He's only 24 years old, but Sanchez has started 37 games, one more than Ryan Fitzpatrick and 10 more than Chad Henne.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh have been with Sanchez from the beginning. Sanchez also is a self starter in the offseason. He convened a "Jets West" camp for his receivers last summer in California.

A potential problem is that Sanchez will have trouble gathering receivers this offseason because they don't know if they'll be back. Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards are free agents. But receiver Jerricho Cotchery and tight end Dustin Keller are on the roster.

Buffalo Bills

Even if the Bills draft a quarterback, a long lockout probably would ensure Fitzpatrick remains the starter by wiping out rookie camps and other critical orientation time. Fitzpatrick is a savvy veteran, a calming influence for the Bills' offense. He incorporates head coach Chan Gailey's concepts and has the support of his locker room.

Based on how Fitzpatrick played as the season wore on, there's no reason to believe the Bills suffered from a lack of chemistry. When receivers Roscoe Parrish and Lee Evans went down with injuries, Fitzpatrick had no trouble getting undrafted rookies David Nelson and Donald Jones involved.

But the Bills still could benefit from informal practices during a work stoppage. Top receiver Steve Johnson told me this week they have none scheduled.

Miami Dolphins


Henne created a stir when he divulged he had been, against the NFL's wishes, going over the playbook with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and new quarterbacks coach Karl Dorrell. The NFL declined to pursue, and that was doubly good news for the Dolphins. They avoided punishment and got a head start before the league turned into a pumpkin.

But Henne would appear to be at a disadvantage despite the extra help. The Dolphins have declined to give him any kind of legitimate public endorsement. He's entering his fourth season, presents more questions than answers and is working with a new playbook. Top receiver Brandon Marshall suggested after the season he had more chemistry with third-string quarterback Tyler Thigpen than Henne.

Henne also revealed the Dolphins have informal workouts and a location arranged. That's much easier to do in Broward County than, say, Western New York. Good thing, too, because Henne can use all the help he can get to morph into the franchise quarterback the Dolphins hoped he would be.

Plaxico Burress is scheduled to get out of the pokey June 6.

That would give the former New York Giants receiver plenty of time to get on a roster and play a full season. If a labor standoff doesn't compress the summer workout schedule, Burress also would have a good chance to learn the new offense by opening day.

Would Burress be a fit in the AFC East?

Before we consider each team, let's project the kind of receiver Burress will be.

His 34th birthday is in August. He hasn't caught an NFL pass since November 2008. Even before he went to prison after accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub, his average yards per catch diminished four straight years.

Still, he's 6-foot-5 and always a threat to sky over defensive backs.

"When you look at him on the field, the guy is tall," ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck said Monday. "He's got long arms. One of the things the Giants loved to do is they'd get on [the opponent's] 45 and take a shot. With the way the rules are set up in the National Football League, it's absolutely perfect for a guy like Plaxico Burress, whose got the long arms, got the reach, who understands how to use his body.

"He's not as fast as he was two years ago. He can still be effective and still can help somebody out if that team ends up trusting him."

Hasselbeck said Burress' employment prospects could be helped by Michael Vick's successful return from prison. Vick seemed to have grown from the experience. Maybe Burress did, too.

Next to Hasselbeck on the "NFL Live" set was former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, who claimed prison might have helped Burress in another way. Pierce won a Super Bowl ring after Burress caught the decisive touchdown to deny the New England Patriots' perfect season.

"He was in jail for two years, and that's a lot of time for that body to heal up," Pierce said. "Plaxico had some ankle, some knee injuries. You sit around for two years, your body starts to heal.

"There's some teams out there ... that would love to have his services."

The AFC East could be a destination. I reached out to Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson for his thoughts on the four rosters and whether or not there would be room for a receiver like Burress.

"I really don't know what he will be able to provide," Williamson said. "He obviously will be the same size when he returns and should continue to use his big frame well, especially near the goal line. It is speculation as to what he will be like athletically, but I have to think that his big play ability and suddenness will be greatly compromised."

Buffalo Bills

Their receiving corps looks solid, but it can be upgraded. Lee Evans has been a disappointment, but defenses must account for him at all times. Steve Johnson had a breakout season with more than 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. Roscoe Parrish had the best season of his career even though a broken wrist sidelined him after just eight games. Undrafted rookie David Nelson stepped up late in the year when injuries provided an opportunity. Interest in Burress: Low.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have invested heavily in Brandon Marshall, and Burress probably offers a similar skill set at this stage. They are tall, possession receivers who don't stretch the field (anymore). The Dolphins also have their slot receiver in Davone Bess. While Burress could help the Dolphins' woeful red-zone offense, what they need is a speedster who can help Chad Henne blow the top of coverages on occasion and loosen things up for Marshall and Bess underneath. Interest in Burress: Medium.

New England Patriots

The Patriots, as Williamson noted, are in a similar situation as the Dolphins. The Patriots have Wes Welker and Deion Branch plus tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Their greatest need in the passing game is a lightning bolt to help Tom Brady keep defenses honest. Brandon Tate and Taylor Price are burners, but they are young and haven't established themselves as capable. Interest in Burress: Low.

New York Jets

The Jets seemingly present the greatest possibility for Burress in the AFC East. "That could be a fit," Williamson said. "I could see them taking the risk. And after free agency departures, Burress might be attractive. Plus, they are in win-now mode." Points well taken. The Jets might not be able to re-sign all of their free-agent receivers: Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith. General manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan have shown with Holmes, Edwards and Antonio Cromartie they're open to second chances. Interest in Burress: High.

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

Power Rankings: Preseason: No. 31. This week: No. 32.

2010 schedule/results

Where they stand: The Bills are the NFL's only winless team and on their way to an 11th consecutive season without the playoffs. But the Bills have remained competitive on a weekly basis. They have lost three straight games by a field goal, including two in overtime on the road. The Bills rank 26th in total offense and 26th in total defense.

Falling: The Bills went into 2010 with two key strengths. Head coach Chan Gailey boasted three feature-quality running backs in Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and rookie C.J. Spiller. The Bills also had their secondary intact from the season before, when they ranked second in pass defense and second in interceptions.

Neither of those supposed assets has held up. The Bills traded Lynch. Jackson has been OK, but has only two rushing touchdowns. Spiller virtually has been a nonfactor. The ninth overall draft choice has one receiving touchdown and another via kickoff return, but on the ground he has only 150 yards and no touchdowns. The Bills had 28 interceptions last year. They have one this year, and it belongs to linebacker Andra Davis, whom they just put on injured reserve.

Buffalo's scouting department hasn't looked too swift. If not in a winless season, when should we be witnessing youngsters emerge? Many of the Bills' past several first-round picks have been disappointing. Outside linebacker Aaron Maybin and defensive lineman John McCargo are healthy scratches every week.

Rising: Poor run game aside, the Bills have developed a sometimes-entertaining offense under Gailey, daring to get into shootouts with the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, for instance. Ryan Fitzpatrick does a nice job of distributing his passes to receivers Steve Johnson, Lee Evans and -- up until breaking his wrist last week -- Roscoe Parrish. Fitzpatrick is on pace to become only the second Bills quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season.

There hasn't been much to like about the Bills' switch to a 3-4 defense. They've waffled lately and deployed four-man fronts to stop the run. But nose tackle Kyle Williams has stood out with a team-leading three sacks (unusual for that position), and the Bills recently showed they were committed to the 3-4 by claiming outside linebacker Shawne Merriman off waivers. Merriman probably won't be back next year, but his addition should improve an anemic pass rush.

Midseason MVP: Fitzpatrick still makes untimely mistakes, but since he assumed control of the offense from Trent Edwards, the Bills seem to harbor significantly more hope. Johnson's brow-raising aerial production has gone hand-in-hand with Fitzpatrick's promotion.

Outlook: The Bills are halfway to 0-16 and have a rugged remaining schedule. Their best shot might be Sunday at home against the Detroit Lions, who aren't expected to have starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. But, as the Bills showed by taking the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs into sudden death, they have a legitimate shot to win any week. The prediction here is they pick up a couple victories but still finish with a top two draft choice in April.

One player forward, two players back.

The Buffalo Bills made a move last week that should improve their team, claiming Shawne Merriman off waivers. But on Monday they placed two starters on season-ending injured reserve, weakening both sides of the ball.

The Bills lost important receiver Roscoe Parrish to a broken wrist and starting inside linebacker Andra Davis to a nagging shoulder injury.

Parrish suffered his injury late in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Chicago Bears in Toronto. He leaped high to catch a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass along the sideline and came down awkwardly while trying to stay inbounds.

Parrish will be difficult to replace. After getting mothballed by previous coach Dick Jauron, Parrish was having a breakout season as a receiver. Through eight games, he had 33 receptions (two short of his career-high) for 400 yards (most of his career) and two touchdowns (tying his career-high). His catches and yards ranked second on the team behind Steve Johnson.

"You don't just replace guys that have been that productive," Bills coach Chan Gailey said, "but it's an opportunity for somebody else to step up. Donald Jones will jump into the fray and we'll see what he can do."

Jones is an undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State. He has played in every game but didn't make his first catch until Sunday.

Davis was hurt in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins and couldn't recover. He played in six games, starting four. Davis had 42 tackles, including one for a loss and Buffalo's only interception this year.

Akin Ayodele started in Davis' usual spot Sunday.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Halftime thoughts and observations from Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the Buffalo Bills are tied at 13 with the Jacksonville Jaguars:

• There was a lot to like about the Bills' offense, which elicited a couple standing ovations in the first half. The Bills look like they're having fun out there, which is important when you're 0-4.
• The Jaguars hadn't taken an offensive snap by the time they'd gifted a 10-point lead. But the Jaguars have been scrappy. Josh Scobee nailed two 49-yard field goals to help erase the early cushion. David Garrard found Marcedes Lewis right before the intermission.
• Lee Evans nearly went two out of three games without a catch, grabbing his first pass with about 20 second left in last week's loss to the New York Jets. He made his first reception 1:59 into Sunday's game, a 45-yard touchdown strike to put the Bills on the board one play after recovering a fumbled punt.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown a touchdown pass in six straight games, the most by a Bills quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 2004.
• The Bills don't miss Marshawn Lynch, whom they traded this week for a fourth-round draft choice. Fred Jackson received a standing ovation at the end of the first quarter for a series of runs that made you wonder why the Bills insisted on keeping Lynch for so long. Jackson rushed for 42 yards on six carries in the first quarter. The Jaguars dominated time of possession in the second quarter, when Jackson was limited to 4 yards on two goal-line carries.
• The Bills had a chance to bust the game open early in the second quarter, advancing to a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, but they had to kick a field goal at the end of a 15-play drive.
• Roscoe Parrish has been criticized for his aversion to contact as a receiver, but he made a scintillating catch, leaping high for the ball and coming down with it despite a big undercut hit that sent him cartwheeling. The 20-yard gain came on third-and-11.

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FALLING

Chad Henne, Dolphins quarterback: He mostly was quiet when the Miami Dolphins opened their season 2-0 on the road. Since the Dolphins opened up their passing attack, they're 0-2, with both losses at home. Henne has rolled up big aerial yardage. He passed for a career-high 363 yards two weeks ago against the New York Jets and 302 yards in Monday night's loss to the Patriots. But he also telegraphed some passes and threw four interceptions. Another game like that after the Dolphins return from their bye, and the calls for Chad Pennington will get louder.

Lee Evans, Bills receiver: A catch with about 20 seconds left in Sunday's loss to the Jets prevented Evans from going without a reception for the second time in three games. Evans has 10 catches for 94 yards and no touchdowns. An unheralded group of Steve Johnson, David Nelson and Roscoe Parrish each have more catches and/or yards than Evans, who is one of the league's highest-paid receivers.

Dolphins' Wildcat offense: The Dolphins have stood by the Wildcat, but it might be time to see the vet. They averaged 6 yards a play and scored 16 touchdowns the past two seasons, but they've gotten stuffed time and again this year. Their 17 Wildcat plays have gained an average of 1.6 yards with zero touchdowns. The Dolphins called one Wildcat play Monday night against the Patriots, who stopped Ronnie Brown for a 2-yard loss.

RISING

Brandon Tate, Patriots receiver: His profile on the Patriots' offense should soar now that Randy Moss has been traded to the Vikings. Tate, a second-year pro with zero touchdown catches, becomes the most likely deep threat for Tom Brady. Tate has shown how explosive he can be in the return game. He ran back a kickoff 103 yards in Monday night's victory over the Dolphins, becoming just the third player in franchise history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season.

Jets offense with Santonio Holmes: In their three-game win streak -- all over AFC East opponents -- the Jets averaged 32.3 points. They scored more than 28 points only twice last year. The offense is clicking. Mark Sanchez hasn't thrown an interception. LaDainian Tomlinson looks fantastic and is on pace for more than 1,300 yards. Dustin Keller has been devastating at tight end. Braylon Edwards has been a game-breaker. And look who comes back from a suspension this week. It's Holmes, the MVP from Super Bowl XLIII.

Fred Jackson, Bills running back: The Bills reduced their crowded backfield Tuesday, when they traded Marshawn Lynch to the Seahawks. A league source informed me Jackson has been named the starter ahead of rookie C.J. Spiller. Jackson finished last season as Buffalo's featured back and had a season so prolific -- fourth-highest all-purpose yardage total in NFL history -- the Pro Football Hall of Fame asked for his jersey to display before the season opener. In four games, Jackson has 20 carries and two receptions.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Some thoughts from the press box at Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the New York Jets lead the Buffalo Bills 17-7 at halftime:

• Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started without a completion on his first five attempts then connected on seven straight to end the half, his last toss a 4-yard touchdown to wide-open tight end David Martin. Undrafted rookie David Nelson had three catches for 55 yards.
• This isn't a fresh observation, but LaDainian Tomlinson looks terrific. He has 13 attempts for 89 yards. He ran five times for 42 yards on the opening drive. What hurt his average was that 1-yard touchdown run.
• The Bills' run defense has been deplorable even with last season's top tackler, Paul Posluszny, back after missing two games with a knee injury. The Jets are throwing incomplete passes on first down, running on second and still finding themselves in third-and-short situations.
• How are Buffalo's past seven first-round draft picks doing? Receiver Lee Evans (13th overall in 2004) has zero catches. Safety Donte Whitner (eighth overall in 2006) has been invisible. Defensive lineman John McCargo (26th overall in 2006) is a healthy scratch. Running back Marshawn Lynch (12th overall in 2007) has two carries for 3 yards. Cornerback Leodis McKelvin (11th overall in 2008) got torched on a 41-yard touchdown strike. Outside linebacker Aaron Maybin (11th overall in 2009) barely has stepped on the field. Right guard Eric Wood (28th overall in 2009) has a holding penalty to put the Bills at second-and-19 at their own 11-yard line. Running back C.J. Spiller (ninth overall this year) has zero rush attempts and one catch for 4 yards.
• I'd love to reprint some of former Bills linebacker Darryl Talley's tweets, but his coarse language is reflective of how his old team is playing this year. To summarize, he thinks nose tackle Kyle Williams is the only defensive player who's performing.
• Bills receiver and punt returner Roscoe Parrish is off to a nice start this year. He has been one of the few bright spots overall. He made a tough catch in the second quarter for 7 yards. Parrish had two punt returns for 19 yards, surpassing the 1,500-yard mark for his career.
• The game would be more lopsided had Nick Folk not missed a 30-yard field goal at the end of the Jets' second possession, which began on a pooch kickoff Bills linebacker Chris Ellis fumbled. The Bills nearly were down 10-0 before they ran their first offensive play.

What it means: The Buffalo Bills gave the New England Patriots a good scare and plenty to think about. The Bills led three times and were within a touchdown and a two-point conversion on their final drive. But the Patriots' offense was too tough to get into a shootout with. Their winning streak over the Bills increases to 14 games.

What I liked: The Bills showed life after a demoralizing 0-2 start. Ryan Fitzpatrick gave the offense a jolt, helping it score one fewer point in the first half than the Trent Edwards-led offense was able to generate in eight quarters. The Bills averaged 176 yards in each of their first two games. They had 202 by halftime Sunday. Fitzpatrick did throw two frustrating interceptions, but his overall play is what gave the Bills a shot to be competitive.

For at least this week, the Patriots coped well without running back Kevin Faulk, who's out for the year with a knee injury. Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis each broke off a touchdown run. They combined for 19 carries and 150 yards. Faulk's absence wasn't evident in pass protection either.

What I didn't like: New England's defense is in trouble. Fitzpatrick replacing Edwards isn't like Steve Young replacing an aging Joe Montana. New England's defense had difficulty stopping Buffalo's run game and pass game. Think about that. The Patriots surrendered 374 yards, more than double what the Bills averaged their first two games.

The Bills' pass defense didn't perform as though it's a strength. Tom Brady was 21 of 27 for 252 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Not helping was a virtually non-existent pass rush. Aaron Maybin, last year's 11th overall draft pick, continues to be a colossal disappointment. Kyle Williams recorded Buffalo's first sack late in the fourth quarter.

Breakout: Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller finally made his presence felt -- and in a huge way. After two games as a non-factor, he scored his first two NFL touchdowns. He scored on a 5-yard slip screen in the second quarter and a 95-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

Breakout II: In his third NFL season, Woodhead scored his first touchdown. The New York Jets didn't have room for the popular running back and cut him last week. In his Patriots debut, he scampered 22 yards for a second-quarter score.

Big revelation: Marshawn Lynch has emerged as Chan Gailey's preferred running back. He started again and had 13 carries for 79 yards. Fred Jackson ran four times for 8 yards.

What's next: The Bills complete their first tour of the AFC East by hosting the Jets next Sunday afternoon. The Patriots will visit the Miami Dolphins on "Monday Night Football."

The Buffalo Bills are reeling. They're 0-2 and already being mentioned as the NFL's worst team. Their next opponents, the New England Patriots, have won 13 straight games and never have lost to the Bills in Gillette Stadium.

Furthermore, the Bills switched quarterbacks this week. Trent Edwards has been benched. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start.

And it just might be crazy enough to work.

The Bills are 14-point underdogs for Sunday's game, but maybe -- just maybe -- Fitzpatrick can do what head coach Chan Gailey hoped when he said he was looking for a spark.

Edwards (aka Captain Checkdown) would not have tested a suspect Patriots pass defense. Fitzpatrick probably will. He's not timid about pushing downfield. Fitzpatrick called an audible and hooked up with Terrell Owens for a 98-yard touchdown last year.

"He's completely different than Trent and just a completely different quarterback," said Bills receiver Lee Evans, who Edwards failed to complete a pass to last week against the Green Bay Packers. Fitzpatrick "does things that sometimes you may not advise, but he just plays. ... He's very witty and he just plays, so with that you have a chance."

I asked Evans what he meant by Fitzpatrick's inadvisable plays.

"Just to the fact that against certain coverages, sometimes he feels like he can fit a ball in, and he'll try and it’s basically just that simple," Evans said. "He just feels the game and reacts off instinct."

Fitzpatrick's instincts should tell him to test the Patriots' secondary.

Left cornerback Devin McCourty is a rookie. Right cornerback Darius Butler was pulled from the fourth quarter of last week's loss to the New York Jets. Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather is in Bill Belichick's doghouse.

Quarterback isn't the only position change Gailey has made. Mark Ludwiczak of CBSSports.com first reported the Bills have replaced No. 2 receiver Steve Johnson with Roscoe Parrish, a trickier proposition for the Patriots.

Belichick said Evans and Parrish are "big-time threats" and "we know those guys can do a lot of damage with the ball in their hands."

And perhaps Gailey will be able to feature rookie running back C.J. Spiller in a new way.

"I'm excited for the opportunity," Fitzpatrick said. "Like I said the past few days, I'm looking to take advantage if it's there, but it’s not one of those where you've got to go out there and throw for 600 yards and throw it downfield every play.

"It's 'How are we going to win this football game?' And whatever that takes, if we have to run the ball on every snap, if we have to throw it deep, whatever it takes is what we're going to do and we're looking to get a win."

What it means: The Packers are 2-0 and have given themselves a better-than-even shot of making the playoffs, based on the history of undefeated Week 2 teams over the past 20 years. (Teams have started 2-0 made the playoffs 64.1 percent of the time over that stretch.)


Hero: Linebacker Clay Matthews maintained his 48-sack pace by recording another three of them Sunday against the Bills. Seriously, Matthews is the first Packer to have three sacks in two consecutive games, and he now leads the NFL with six. At this point, I'm guessing no NFL team will open a game against the Packers without plans to routinely double-team him.

Unsung hero: I was pretty impressed by rookie safety Morgan Burnett's fourth-quarter "interception." I put the word in quotation marks, because what Burnett really did is pull the ball from Roscoe Parrish's arms on a short pass to the right flat. That tells you something you want to know about any safety: That he's got the proverbial "nose for the ball."

Injury of note: The Packers removed left tackle Chad Clifton midway through the second quarter and replaced him with rookie Bryan Bulaga. Coach Mike McCarthy said Clifton didn't look healthy, and Clifton was limited in practice last week because of a knee injury. But as Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out, you wonder if the decision will mark the start of a permanent transition to Bulaga, who was the team's first-round draft pick and will eventually be a full-time starter somewhere.

What's next: In eight days, the Packers will take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Karlos Dansby struck a stance more fitting for a Miami Dolphins receiver than an inside linebacker. He took his spot on the right end of scrimmage, sidling next to outside linebacker Cameron Wake. Dansby's torso pitched forward, putting weight on his left leg. His right foot was cocked to sprint.

There was no doubt Dansby was headed forward in a hurry. Obvious as it was, the Buffalo Bills failed to notice him on quarterback Trent Edwards' blind side. At the snap, Dansby broke straight for him.

Bills left tackle Demetrius Bell properly picked up Wake, presenting Dansby a naked path. As Dansby zeroed in, he hoped Edwards would raise his right arm.

"Show me the ball," Dansby thought. "Show it!"

But Edwards didn't. He couldn't. He didn't have enough time. Dansby got there too quickly and engulfed Edwards for a 9-yard loss and forced the Bills to punt three plays into the game.

"I was just waiting for this moment," Dansby said. He'd made his Dolphins debut a memorable one, playing a mammoth role in a 15-10 victory over the Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Dansby was a force, immediately showing why the Dolphins identified him as the player who could turn around their defense. They made the former Arizona Cardinals star the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history with a five-year contract worth $43 million.

"He's one of those guys that you're willing to go to war with," Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis said.

Dansby and safety Yeremiah Bell led the Dolphins with eight tackles each. Dansby recorded a game-high three quarterback hits and was influential in keeping Bills' star rookie halfback C.J. Spiller from having any kind of impact.

Spiller gained 14 yards on 11 offensive touches. Dansby made the solo tackle or assisted on four of Spiller's plays. One of his Spiller stops came on a pass play near the sideline.

"I'm all over the place," Dansby said. "You can't really pinpoint me."

Dansby even found himself defending Buffalo receiver Lee Evans at times. Buffalo tried to spread the field with extra receivers for favorable matches, but Dansby isn't a common linebacker.

"He ran out on me a couple times, buzzing out hard," Evans said. "That's one of the things he can do. He's a mobile linebacker. He can get out to the flat, play underneath and run around on the inside as well."

The play that resonated, however, was Dansby's sack 13 seconds into the game. With the Bills facing a third-and-10 situation after a pair of incomplete passes, Dolphins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan unleashed him.

How could the Bills miss Dansby there?

"You tell me," Davis replied. "If I was on offense, I'd say [Dansby's jersey number] '58! 58!' I'm calling it out."

Dansby's sack set a tone for the rest of the game. Edwards never got on track. He completed 18 of his 34 passes for 139 yards. He did feather a pretty pass to Roscoe Parrish for a 31-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but that wasn't representative of the overall afternoon.

"It gave him happy feet," Dansby said of the sack. "It made him think to get rid of the ball fast because we were bringing so much pressure on him."

What should have Dolfans even more excited and leave the Bills' faithful additionally depressed is that a couple Dolphins players suggested they pulled some punches Sunday, choosing to play a vanilla style that wasn't substantially enhanced compared to the preseason. They have more important games coming up, including next Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

"Not much more," Dansby said when asked about opening up the defensive playbook for Buffalo. "We still got a lot we didn't show. We just played hard and played fast.

"A lot of our pressure was just physicality. It wasn't a scheme. We just lined up and told the guys to go get it. They did a great job of pressing the pocket and getting Trent Edwards off his game."

The Dolphins recorded three sacks. Wake and rookie Koa Misi had one apiece. Eight Dolphins made tackles for losses. Wake and safety Chris Clemons each had two. The Bills gained 166 net yards. None of their running backs rushed for more than 19 yards.

"This is what we expected to do," Dansby said. "We expected to come in here and win like this. It doesn't have to be pretty as long as we come out with the W and have fun doing it."