Defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is 6-1, 306 pounds, isn't your "textbook" nose tackle equipped to play the 3-4 scheme. That doesn't mean Buffalo's new coaching regime is ready to cut him. They know good football players when they see them.

"He's a very good football player and Kyle can be productive in whatever defense you put him in," coach Chan Gailey said.

Gailey said the reason he hired George Edwards as his defensive coordinator is his knack for developing "different types of 3-4's to be able to adjust people and put them in the best spots to do their jobs."

That means there is a place for 310-pound Marcus Stroud and 286-pound Spencer Johnson. The bigger adjustments will have to be made by Buffalo's defensive ends that will be asked to play linebacker.

Gailey confirmed that Chris Kelsay, Aaron Maybin, Chris Ellis and veteran Aaron Schobel (if he doesn't retire) would move to outside linebacker. The inside men are slated to be Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell, providing he can recover from knee/thigh surgery.

OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The pre-free agency announcement that unrestricted free agents Terrell Owens and Josh Reed would not be offered the opportunity to sign new contracts added wide receiver to the list of positions the Bills need to address.

Buffalo is down to four receivers on their roster: Lee Evans, James Hardy, Roscoe Parrish and Steve Johnson. Evans is clearly capable of handling the No. 1 duties but Hardy has yet to establish himself coming off ACL surgery and the Bills are likely to pursue a veteran in free agency. Denver's RFA Brandon Marshall has been pegged a first-round tender.

It's appearing more likely that the Bills, who have the No. 9 overall pick, will tackle their offensive line needs in the draft. OT Anthony Davis (Rutgers) and OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowa) are the likely picks at that spot.

The Bills' own unrestricted free agency to-do list is very light after deciding to move on without Owens, Reed and DE Ryan Denney. Their remaining UFAs are guards Kendall Simmons and Seth McKinney, linebackers Chris Draft and Josh Stamer and safety Todd Johnson.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Quarterback: New coach Chan Gailey calls the NFL a quarterback driven league and yet the Bills haven't had a 300-yard passer in 54 games. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Trent Edwards and Brian Brohm are his problems now. Or maybe not.

2. Defensive linemen: The Bills plan to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme but their current personnel up front was recruited to play a 4-3. The team mostly needs a prototypical nose tackle, perhaps Miami free agent Jason Ferguson.

3. Offensive tackle: Bills quarterbacks were sacked 46 times, fourth most in the league, as the team cobbled together nine different line combinations. Brad Butler's surprise retirement makes replenishing this position even more important.

MEDICAL WATCH
LB Kawika Mitchell continues his recovery from a severe knee/quad injury that landed him on injured reserve. The good news for Mitchell and the Bills is that he suffered no tendon or ligament damage in Week 5 against Cleveland. He's is hopeful to take part in spring workouts or at least be on hand to start learning the team's new 3-4 scheme in which he will shift to the inside.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None.

TRANSITION PLAYER
None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--DE Ryan Denney, a capable backup pass rusher, was told by the team he was free to shop his services.

--LB Chris Draft was a valuable mid-year pickup, but with 11 seasons of wear he may not fit Buffalo's rebuilding model.

--DB Todd Johnson appeared in eight games before going on injured reserve. Not a priority to be retained.

--OG Seth McKinney, an eight-year vet with 46 starts, was brought in for depth but couldn't stay healthy. Doesn't figure to be part of new plan.

--WR Terrell Owens, the future NFL Hall of Famer, was thanked by the club of his one-year of headline making and told he wouldn't be retained. He's 36 but should still draw some interest on the market.

--WR Josh Reed, who had 311 career catches in eight seasons, was informed he would not be offered a new contract and is free to shop his services.

--OG Kendall Simmons, a former standout for Pittsburgh, has been plagued by injuries for two seasons. Remains to be seen if Buffalo's new Steelers' connections can secure him a job.

--LB Josh Stamer rejoined the team late in the season. Tough player who excels on special teams but team likely to explore more affordable options than paying a six-year minimum.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

--LB Marcus Buggs (not tendered as ERFA) will be coming back from major knee surgery and could be brought back as a depth player.

--*QB Gibran Hamdan (not tendered as RFA) could be brought back as fourth quarterback for camp.

--RB Justise Hairston (not tendered as ER$FA) spent the entire year on injured reserve.

--*OG Richie Incognito (not tendered as RFA) brought some much-needed attitude to the team late in the year. Would like to re-sign with Bills but is now free to shop the market.

--TE Joe Klopfenstein (not tendered as RFA) remains a possible depth player down the road.

--OT Jonathan Scott (not tendered as RFA) earned eight emergency starts in 2009, but the Bills will look for better depth talent.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (*indicates restricted because of uncapped year)

--*LB Keith Ellison (tendered at $1.176M million with sixth-round pick as compensation) has logged 38 career starts but had his season cut in half last year due to a quad injury. Bills believe his speed and coverage skills can be asset in new 3-4 scheme.

--TE Derek Schouman (tendered at $1.684M with second-round pick as compensation) opened the year as the club's starter but went down with a knee injury in Week 3. Still a good prospect as a blocker.

--*FS George Wilson (tendered at $1.759M with second-round pick as compensation) successfully made the switch from WR to DB under former coach Dick Jauron and is a team captain and locker-room leader.

--*CB Ashton Youboty (tendered at $1.176M with thbird-round pick as compensation) has not been able to crack the starting lineup but has proven himself a capable nickel and dime player.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--LB Jon Corto, a hard-nosed hometown talent, appeared in all 16 games in 2009 and was a valuable special teams player. He should catch the eye of new special-teams coach Bruce DeHaven.

--OT Christian Gaddis appeared in one game. He's a depth candidate.

--TE Jonathan Stupar appeared in 15 games, catching five passes, and ranks as a good depth player.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--SS Bryan Scott: Potential UFA; $3M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED
None.

PLAYERS LOST

--OT Brad Butler (retired).

--TE Derek Fine (released).

--WR Justin Jenkins (released/failed physical).

--DE Jermaine McGhee (released/failed physical).

--LB Ashlee Palmer (released).

--C Marvin Philip (released/failed physical).

--DE Marcus Smith (released/failed physical).

--S John Wendling (released/failed physical).

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