The majority of Bills fans have met the switch to J.P. Losman with support, but there is one fear factor: durability. Whereas Drew Bledsoe started 48 consecutive games for Buffalo, the third-longest streak in team history, Losman already has a major injury on his resume, breaking his leg in training camp last summer on a three-quarter-speed jog around end when he collided with CB Troy Vincent.

The Bills want to take advantage of Losman's mobility, but they don't want him to be Michael Vick, tucking and running on every pass call. Meanwhile, they have to plan for the very real possibility he won't start all 16 games if he can't rein in his reckless play.

The backup job has suddenly become important again.

The Bills want someone with starting NFL experience that will come at a modest price ($1 million a year). Their first choice is retaining their own unrestricted free agent, Shane Matthews, an 11-year veteran with 22 starts who hits the market on Wednesday.

Matthews knows coach Mike Mularkey's offense and just as critical, he knows the brash Losman.

Matthews either accepts Buffalo's offer to return and mentor Losman, or he'll retire for a second time. The Bills coaxed him off the golf course just before last season began after Travis Brown was injured and released.

"I think Shane, personally, has some questions to answer with regard to his family if he wants to make that commitment," general manager Tom Donahoe said. "But I think Shane, if he was willing to do it, would be an ideal backup."

If Matthews does decide to retire, Donahoe won't panic. There are plenty of options out there.

Veteran QBs released so far this year include Cleveland's Jeff Garcia, St. Louis Chris Chandler, Miami's Jay Fiedler and Chicago's Jonathan Quinn.

Meanwhile, 17 quarterbacks become unrestricted free agents on March 2.

They include New England's Jim Miller and Baltimore's Kordell Stewart, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers with ties to Donahoe and coach Mike Mularkey.

Miller, a one-time Donahoe draft pick, has 27 career starts. Stewart had his best season under Mularkey in 2001, making the Pro Bowl. He visited with the Bills last spring before signing with the Ravens for a year. He and Losman are similar athletes who could run the same offense.

NEEDS/DRAFT PRIORITIES:

1. Center. The Bills have to start getting serious about upgrading their line; it's just not in the league of Pittsburgh's, Indianapolis', or New England's, the teams to beat in the AFC. Landing a veteran or good rookie would allow Trey Teague to be shifted to left tackle, making the need to re-sign Jonas Jennings a lot less urgent.

2. Tight end. There are no guarantees that Mark Campbell or Tim Euhus will return to full strength from knee surgeries, and inexperienced new starting QB J.P. Losman definitely needs a tight end to throw to when he's on the run.

3. Backup QB. The Bills need one with experience after promoting second-year man J.P. Losman and cutting Drew Bledsoe. But there's lots of time and lots of names.

FRANCHISE PLAYER
None.

TRANSITION PLAYER
None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
LS Bradford Banta; WR Drew Haddad; LT Jonas Jennings; QB Shane Matthews; TE Ryan Neufeld; OT Marcus Price; FS Izell Reese; DT Pat Williams.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
RB/FB Joe Burns; OL Mike Pucillo; CB Kevin Thomas.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
LS Jon Dorenbos; LB Josh Stamer.

PLAYERS LOST
QB Drew Bledsoe.

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