C.J. Spiller remained unsigned as the Bills' rookies reported to training camp Thursday.

General manager Buddy Nix said he hoped Spiller would be signed shortly, but that while things were moving, there are "no guarantees."

The Bills did get nose tackle Torell Troup signed before rookies reported.

--The Bills are gearing up for a quarterback competition in training camp between Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Brohm and Levi Brown.

Young receivers James Hardy, Steve Johnson and rookie Marcus Easley are eager to show they've got what it takes to replace the departed Terrell Owens and Josh Reed in the lineup.

Fans are anxious to see what running back C.J. Spiller, one of the most exciting players in college football history and the Bills' first-round draft pick, can bring to an offense that ranked 30th in the NFL in 2009.

None of the above situations will transpire to their full potential if Buffalo's line doesn't come together and fast.

"It's going to be vital for that group (to have a good camp)," coach Chan Gailey said. "The continuity and the communication in the offensive line is one of the secrets to success in our business. So getting that group on the same page will really help."

The Bills rarely had the same unit on the field together during last season's 6-10 finish due to a rash of injuries.

Five offensive linemen who started games went down with injuries: Eric Wood, Demitrius Bell, Brad Butler, Seth McKinney and Kendall Simmons.

Wood and Bell are back and attempting to come back from serious leg injuries, Wood a compound fracture and Bell a knee. Both are ahead of schedule and will take part in camp, which kicks off July 29 in Rochester, N.Y., but their workload figures to be closely monitored, and Wood may still be a ways off from full duty.

Bell is penciled in as the starter at left tackle, but he struggled last year in eight starts and has much to prove. The Bills like what they see in rookie Ed Wang.

At right tackle, free agent veteran Cornell Green takes over for Butler, who retired. The only two positions set in stone are center, where Geoff Hangartner is coming off a solid season, and left guard, where Andy Levitre, who enjoyed a strong rookie campaign. They were the only blockers to play in all 16 games.

Backup Kirk Chambers, who logged nine starts at right tackle last year, is in the wings if needed. Wang and seventh-round pick Kyle Calloway are among a host of young blockers trying to make the team.

"If they can play, it doesn't bother me. If they can't play, it bothers me," Gailey said in describing his viewpoint on using young talent. "There's a bunch of good rookies and first- and second-year guys out there today, so if they can play, it doesn't bother me. Age doesn't bother me; we'll play the best guys."

CAMP CALENDAR
Players report July 29 to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. The first day of practice is July 30 with two sessions planned, 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Camp closes Aug. 24. There are seven evening workouts. The team has no scrimmages against other clubs planned.

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