All Eyes on Edwards

This is the first of three stories previewing the Buffalo Bills as they get ready to open training camp Saturday. Today's installment deals with the offense. *** They strengthened their receiving corps by signing Terrell Owens. They reinforced an already solid backfield. But as the Buffalo Bills head into training camp, two key questions remain on offense: Is Trent Edwards ready to become a top-flight quarterback, and how quickly will the retooled offensive line develop continuity? The answer to both will determine if the Bills' offense finally will end its run of mediocrity. It's not a make or break year for Edwards, who has shown signs of promise. But he needs to show more than just glimpses of being the franchise signal-caller the Bills have longed for since Jim Kelly retired. "The biggest thing for us offensively is our quarterback. It all starts with him," offensive coordinator Turk Schonert said. "He's another year into the league. He went through a lot of positive things, some negative things and learned. He's still growing, but he's already grown a lot. He's a more confident player now, and I think his confidence permeates throughout the offense." Edwards is aware of the expectations placed on him. "I think that's part of the quarterback position," he said. "I'm excited for it, I'm going to embrace it and I'm hoping for a big year." The Bills think they're right about Edwards, but will they ever get it right with the offensive line? They've spent the entire decade trying. The past offseason saw another complete overhaul. Gone is two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, whose bitter contract squabble resulted in a trade to Philadelphia. The Bills released overpaid and underachieving left guard Derrick Dockery. Centers Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler left via free agency. Holdovers Langston Walker and Brad Butler have changed positions, Walker from right to left tackle and Butler from right guard to right tackle. Carolina free agent Geoff Hangartner takes over at center, while rookies Eric Wood and Andy Levitre are expected to start at guard, assuming they beat out veterans Kirk Chambers and Seth McKinney. The reconstructed line got a head start during offseason practices, but progress must be made quickly when the pads go on. "I'm a big believer that you're going as far as your O-line is going to take you," Schonert said. "They're playing together for the first time, so we're still very young in this process. But we're real confident in those guys. The more they work together, communicate with each other and see different things from our defense they're going to get better." If Edwards and the offensive line hold up their end of the bargain, the Bills' offense could be much improved. It has nowhere to go but up. The Bills' offense has ranked among the bottom eight in the NFL for the last six seasons. Last year's No. 25 ranking (up from 30th in 2007) tied for the team's best offensive showing during that span. Fans would settle for a top-20 spot at this point. Anything less would seriously hinder the Bills' postseason aspirations. "It's a big year for all of us on the offensive side," Schonert said. "We have high expectations. We've just got to go out and get it done." What the Bills really need to do is put more points on the board. They were 23rd in scoring last season, seven spots higher than the previous year. But they have had a higher ranking just once the last six seasons. The Bills hope the no-huddle will provide the spark that leads to more scoring. Coach Dick Jauron made it clear he wants the no-huddle attack to be a bigger part of the offensive package. The offense practiced it extensively during offseason workouts, and that will continue this summer. Schonert thought the players made progress with the no-huddle during the spring practices, but he said they need more time for everyone to be comfortable with it. "Communication is essential in the no-huddle, so everybody has to be on the same page for it to work," Schonert said. "But that's what practice is for. The more we work on it the better we'll get." All eyes will be on Owens when training camp begins. The Bills' biggest offseason pickup has generated a lot of buzz based on his potential impact. Owens, who put in extra work with Edwards and Lee Evans after practice during the spring, adds a new dynamic because his playmaking ability could open up things for Evans, who was shackled by double coverage last season. Having two top-notch outside receivers will allow Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish to settle into their natural slot positions. "Terrell has been an elite receiver in this league a long time," Schonert said. "I think his presence has raised the competitive level of all the guys on offense and defense." Owens, Evans and Reed are locked in as the top three receivers, but Parrish faces a stiff challenge from second-year pro Steve Johnson for the No. 4 spot. A diminished role wouldn't sit well with Parrish, who already isn't thrilled with his lack of opportunities on offense. Second-year wideout James Hardy is coming off knee surgery and may start camp on the physically unable to perform list. His health could determine how many receivers make the team. If the Bills keep seven, Justin Jenkins is the likely candidate. The Bills need more production from a tight end position that got younger with the release of Robert Royal. Schonert thinks Derek Schouman and Derek Fine are ready to contribute more in the passing game, but the player to watch is rookie Shawn Nelson. The fourth-round draft pick is a tremendous athlete with the speed to be a downfield threat. Jonathan Stupar, a practice squad member last year, and rookie free agent Travis McCall are long shots. Marshawn Lynch's three-game suspension (barring a successful appeal) for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy means the Bills must get Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes ready to share the early load at running back. But Lynch will get his normal amount of snaps in camp -- and possibly more. Schonert said Lynch probably will play more than usual in the preseason games to make up for the time he'll miss. Everything seems to be in place for the Bills to field a productive offense. The only dilemma for Schonert is how to spread the ball around to keep everyone happy. It's a problem he's glad to have. "To me, you can't have enough weapons," he said. "You don't have to worry about trying to get the ball to this guy or that guy. The quarterback can just go through your progressions, and whatever the defense does, throw it to the guy they are not taking away. "If you've got enough playmakers then the defense has to pick their poison. Who am I going to take away, who am I going to double, who am I going to single? And when you've got guys who can win one-on-one matches, it's up to Trent to find the one-on-one matchups." e-mail: awilson@buffnews.com