Dan Pompei

Bills fans may be exasperated with a team that has failed to make the playoffs for seven years running, but they can at least take solace in that the 2008 version of their team has a lot of young, emerging players.

For that reason, it would not be shocking to see the Bills take a giant step this year. How is this for a roll call of promising young talent—Trent Edwards, Marshawn Lynch, James Hardy, Jason Peters, John McCargo, Paul Posluszny, Donte Whitner and Leodis McKelvin.

If these players come through the way the Bills believe they can, the Bills will contend in the AFC East.

The biggest question mark—and the most important—is about Edwards. He was a bit streaky in his nine rookie starts last season, but he impressed his coaches with his intelligence, leadership and quick delivery. Coach Dick Jauron characterizes Edwards as unusual because he is so mature, calm and unflappable.

The Bills tried to make Edwards' job easier by using a second round pick on Hardy. The 6-5 receiver could add a dimension to the Bills offense that has been lacking, especially in the red zone.

Whereas the Bills' passing game remains somewhat of an unknown, their running game should be solid with Lynch, assuming he is not prevented from playing as a result of his hit and run incident. If not for Adrian Peterson's incredible production, Lynch (1,115 rushing yards) may have been the league's offensive rookie of the year.

The immediate and long-term future of the Bills is dependent on Edwards, Hardy and Lynch becoming the kind of productive trio that Jim Kelly, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas once were.

The early results have been encouraging.

Hot seat
Dick Jauron has done a nice job in Buffalo but gone 7-9 in each of his first two years as head coach. Another sub-.500 season will not please team owner Ralph Wilson.

The Bills are struggling to turn a profit and would have more money-making opportunities if they were marketing a winner. So the pressure will be on Jauron.

Jauron has a new offensive coordinator this year. Turk Schonert is not excepted to make drastic changes to the offense Steve Fairchild ran before leaving to become the head coach at Colorado State, but he is incorporating more of the concepts he learned as a quarterback under Sam Wyche in Cincinnati.

Jauron hopes to field a better team by staying the course. Continuity should work in the Bills' favor.

Overheard at camp
J.P. Losman remains a Bill, though he may not be very happy about it. Losman lost his starting job to Edwards last season and requested a trade in the offseason. There wasn't much of a market for Losman, so the Bills decided their best option was to keep him.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Losman resurface as a starter in Buffalo at some point this year. Bills coaches have to keep his head in the game and make sure they don't lose him.

Comings and goings
The Bills were thrilled to be able to trade for Marcus Stroud. The former Jaguars defensive tackle can eat up space and tie up blockers.

Stroud's presence should be a boon for middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. The second year player started only three games as a rookie before breaking his forearm. But the Bills believe Posluszny could be very productive as a sophomore with Stroud, John McCargo and free agent pickup Spencer Johnson playing in front of him and keeping blockers out of his way.

The Bills also are counting on McKelvin impacting the team in two ways—as a cornerback (if he beats out plucky Jabari Greer) and a return man. McKelvin probably was the best corner in the draft, and he may have been the best returner as well.

Predictions
It won't be easy to win the AFC East with the Patriots in the division, but the Bills should take another step towards that goal this year as long as Edwards progresses in his second season.

Buffalo probably is one year away from being an elite team, but they should become a very competitive one this season. This team is very capable of winning nine games, including a few that no one expects them to win.

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