PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) -The moving trucks pulled up in front of the Bills training camp Wednesday morning while the players were still at practice – a sign the team is eager to head home after nearly four weeks in suburban Rochester.
The Bills will return to their headquarters in Orchard Park with a limping Terrell Owens and plenty of questions as to whether this group is capable of ending Buffalo’s nine-year playoff drought. And they’re still without unsigned first-round draft pick Aaron Maybin.
“We got a lot done. We’ve got a lot to do, too,” coach Dick Jauron said. “It was definitely a good start.”
The biggest positive has been the potential shown by Buffalo’s new no-huddle offense.
“Definitely, I think it was promising,” receiver Lee Evans said. “It certainly showed signs of light. There were some tough times, too, but overall, I think it was productive.”
25, and tested it during their first two preseason games, a 21-18 loss to Tennessee and a 27-20 win over Chicago.
The passing attack was particularly efficient against the Bears last weekend, when Buffalo’s four quarterbacks went a combined 29 of 34 for 265 yards and a touchdown.
There are still glitches to work out, especially when it comes to finishing. Though quarterback Trent Edwards has gone 13 of 14 for 113 yards in two games, the starters have yet to produce a touchdown drive in four series.
“I do feel like we still have a long way to go,” Edwards said. “I like the progress that we’ve made, but I’m really anticipating a lot more progress being made in the future, too.”
The next two preseason tests will come on the road, starting Saturday at Green Bay.
Buffalo will be playing without Owens, who will miss his second game since spraining his toe against Tennessee. Jauron ruled Owens out from playing and said the receiver isn’t expected to resume practicing until “next week some time.”
Owens experienced soreness after testing his toe during a brief 20-minute workout during practice Monday.
port soon enough to be ready for Buffalo’s regular-season opener at New England on Sept. 14.
“I coach the guys that are here. I can’t do anything about him not being here,” Jauron said, noting it’s difficult to assess how Maybin might fit into the defensive plans. “We’ll just see what we can do when he gets here. We drafted him high for a reason, and hopefully they’ll get that thing worked out soon.”
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Maybin is a fast and aggressive pass-rushing specialist, who was expected to immediately help a defense that registered 24 sacks, finishing in a tie with Washington for fifth-fewest in the NFL last season. The Bills believe he’s versatile enough to eventually spend time at linebacker.
Maybin’s teammates are getting antsy, too.
“I think we need him a lot,” linebacker Kawika Mitchell said. “Hopefully, he signs sooner than later. But it’s just how it goes.”
One thing also clear is the Bills’ desire to become a contender. They’re coming off three consecutive 7-9 finishes, including last year when the team faltered after a 5-1 start.
“This is a big year for a lot us,” linebacker Paul Posluszny said. “We’re running out of time here with having mediocre 7-9 seasons. And that’s just not going to cut it anymore. We need to get to the playoffs.”
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