DT John McCargo was not an abject failure as a first-round draft pick. And at age 24, he has plenty of time to blossom. But the Bills were finished waiting. And given the chance to stockpile a conditional draft pick, giving themselves dealing options in the future, shipping McCargo to the Indianapolis Colts at this week's trade deadline made sense for them. McCargo, the 26th overall pick in the 2006 draft, never was able to crack Buffalo's starting lineup as Kyle Williams, a fifth-round pick in that same draft, regularly outperformed him. McCargo showed some potential with 45 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season but was woefully inconsistent this season. Appearing in four games, he averaged 13 snaps and registered two tackles. His coaches politely intimated their disappointment in his lack of drive and soft work habits. McCargo notwithstanding, the 2006 draft -- Marv Levy's first in his two brief seasons as GM -- will remain one of the best ever in club history. Four starters were landed in Donte Whitner, Ko Simpson, Williams and Brad Butler, along with two key reserves in Ashton Youboty and Keith Ellison.
PLAYER NOTES
--QB Trent Edwards, recovering from a concussion, practiced fully for a second time this week and has received the green light to return to play. Barring any setbacks, he'll be in the lineup Sunday against San Diego.
--WR/PR Roscoe Parrish, recovering from thumb ligament surgery, practiced in team drills and announced himself ready to return to the lineup. He's been equipped with a thumb pad but is catching the ball well.
--DE Aaron Schobel, nursing a ligament problem in his left ankle, is wearing a protective boot to help promote the healing process and did not practice. He missed last week's workouts as well. He's a day-to-day case but if he plays Sunday, he'll surely be less than 100 percent.
--CB Terrence McGee, who missed the team's last game against Arizona with a sprained MCL, did not take part in team drills but did some light work on his own, testing his knee. He's probably another week or two away.
--P Brian Moorman, who is averaging 46.5 yards per attempt, has raised his team career record average to 43.22.
GAME PLAN
The Bills will need every tool in their box and a few new ones to beat San Diego, which presents matchup problems up and down the board. Putting pressure on QB Philip Rivers, who leads the NFL's highest-scoring team, is the top priority, followed by limiting the all-purpose yardage of RB LaDainian Tomlinson. With DE Aaron Schobel (ankle) hobbled, Buffalo's defense, which has produced just 10 sacks, will need to blitz more and take chances against Rivers. New England never touched him last week and paid the price with three TDs. His fleet of 6-5 receivers tower over Buffalo's secondary, that is expected to be without CB Terrence McGee (knee) again. Offensively, Buffalo's line needs a big game. QB Trent Edwards is coming off a concussion and can ill afford taking any more big hits. The Chargers have 14 sacks in their last four games. The Chargers may even have the edge in special teams in this one, with a healthy Darren Sproles among the NFL's best returning punts (14.3) and kicks (30.4). San Diego is 9-5-1 as the road team in the series, winning at Buffalo 24-21 in 2006.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Bills DB, who rate No. 9 in the NFL against the pass, vs. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, who at 6-5 each, will enjoy a great size advantage.
--Bills SS Donte Whitner, Buffalo's most physical defensive back, vs. Chargers TE Antonio Gates, who has 20 catches and four TDs already.
--Bills MLB Paul Posluszny, who is enjoying a good sophomore year, vs. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, one of the game's most versatile players whose injured toe is almost fully healed. He needs to be accounted for every snap.
--Bills C Melvin Fowler vs. Chargers Pro Bowl veteran NT Jamal Williams, who dominated the Patriots interior line last week.
--Bills WR Lee Evans, who is averaging 27.0 yards per catch, vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer, a physical player who shut down Randy Moss last week.
INJURY IMPACT
DE Aaron Schobel's bad ankle, which could keep him out of the game, will hurt the Bills' ability to put pressure on San Diego QB Philip Rivers. The Bills may have to manufacture more pressure via blitz packages, leaving their secondary vulnerable against the Chargers' big, productive wide receivers. That secondary is expected to be without CB Terrence McGee (knee) for a second straight game. On a positive note, the return of WR Roscoe Parrish (thumb) will take pressure off of Lee Evans and Josh Reed going against the physical tandem of Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie.
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