Optimism high as Bills check in

At this time last year, the Buffalo Bills were once again swimming in expectations. Donte Whitner guaranteed a playoff berth which seemed like a good bet considering the team's favorable schedule. Then the season started with a bang but ended with a thud in the second half. A drama-free training camp resulted in a 4-0 start, but Trent Edwards struggled and the defense couldn't get to the quarterback. When the Bills report to training camp today at St. John Fisher College, the tone will be different. The expectations, at least in the Bills' minds, are much higher. The dawning of this year's training camp is, without question, the most highly anticipated in recent memory. There is hardly, however, a hint of controversy and few pivotal starting positions are up for grabs. But Terrell Owens' presence alone makes this training camp exciting. Other than Whitner's bold prediction, the biggest story line surrounding last year's camp was Jason Peters' contract holdout. "I've been here 10 years. I know Year One was huge with coming [to St. John Fisher]," said Russ Brandon, the team's chief operating officer and general manager. "Rochester is a huge element to our fan base and a cornerstone to what we do from a business point of view. "But I would say other than Year One, this is probably the most buzz, personally, I think, many of us have felt, and it's exciting." But not everyone is optimistic about the Bills and most preseason predictions say the team is not a playoff contender. Lindy's, Athlon and Yahoo! picked the Bills to finish third in the AFC East, and Yahoo! indicated they would finished 7-9, which is better than The Sporting News which picked Buffalo fourth and 6-10. "I feel like a lot of people have to go on what happened last year," said middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. "That's fine. But we have a lot of confidence in what we can do and the type of players we have. We know what we can do on the field. We have to go out and make the plays to win games. "Talking about it is one thing. During the season we need to go out and do what we need to do to win. . . . We finished last year poorly. We need to fix that and build off the things we did positively last year." Everyone understands that another 7-9 season could mean wholesale changes. "This is a big year for a lot of us, for the coaches, for these players, for this group of guys," Posluszny said. "This is a big year because we need to get to the playoffs. We're running out of time here, with having mediocre 7-9 seasons. That's just not going to cut it anymore. We need to get to the playoffs." Naturally, Owens didn't make his grand entrance Friday during the allotted media availability from 11 a.m., to 7 p.m., and was expected to report to Fisher late Friday evening. Also, first-round picks Aaron Maybin and Eric Wood, who have not yet signed contracts, are not expected to arrive today. But with only a handful of first-round picks signed across the NFL, Maybin and Wood's absence was hardly unexpected. Wood is expected to start at right guard but Maybin, as a defensive end, is not likely to be an immediate starter. There will be plenty of time for Maybin to acclimate and fit in. With the addition of Owens, for the first time in many seasons, the Bills offense is perceived to be a strength. "We feel like we're stronger this year after adding another piece because we have another threat on the field," said veteran wideout Josh Reed. "We have to make sure we utilize every piece." Added running back Fred Jackson: "He's a dynamic weapon. He's been a playmaker and he's always made plays wherever he's been. He's going to take a lot of pressure off the guys on offense. We're excited about what he's bringing to the table." Maybin brings an element that was lacking a year ago: a legitimate pass rusher. The special teams, coached by one of the best in the business in assistant head coach Bobby April, will again be strong. The only significant injury watches are wide receiver James Hardy and middle linebacker John DiGiorgio. But are the Bills , as Brandon put it, ready to move into the playoffs? "We need to take the next step," he said. "And the next step, and we've said it from Day One, is playing Football in deep January. We need to get back to that and that's what we're all here for. "That's what we work in this business for, is to play playoff Football. I know it's important to everyone in this organization for everyone from Mr. [owner Ralph] Wilson on down." e-mail: rmckissic@buffnews.com