Chan Gailey: George Edwards will help Bills’ nose tackles

Chan Gailey, hired as the Buffalo Bills’ coach last month, addressed the media at the NFL Scouting Combine Thursday and among the many topics he covered was his belief that former Dolphins linebacker coach George Edwards, who joined him as defensive coordinator a few weeks ago, will find a way to best utilize the Bills’ talent in the 3-4 defense. “You adjust to what your players do best,” Gailey said. “That’s one reason I hired George Edwards, because he has the knowledge of certain types of 3-4 (defenses) to be able to adjust people and put them in the best possible position to do their job.” Edwards was hired by Nick Saban in 2005 and was one of only two members of the coaching staff retained when Cam Cameron was dismissed after the 2007 season. He left after last season to become defensive coordinator at the University of Florida, then surprised the Gators when he accepted Gailey’s offer to join him four weeks later. Gailey, who was the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001, when Miami had back-to-back 11-5 seasons, addressed a number of other issues in his 20-minute conference including: – Asked if his research since being hired has given him a sense of how tough it will be to win in the AFC East, he replied, “I didn’t have to do any research to figure that out. It’s pretty obvious. I understand how tough it is … It’s a lot tougher than when I left. Obviously Miami did a great job two years ago and has brought their situation back. The Jets did a great

job last year. New England is good every year. It’s a tough division.” – Said he hasn’t made any decision on the team’s future at quarterback. “Every team in the league that doesn’t have an all-pro quarterback, or somebody that got votes for all-pro, is looking to improve their position.” Asked later if he plans to bring in a veteran QB, he repeated that he’s always trying to improve his team. – Indicated that he’s not willing to part with running back Marshawn Lynch, whose off-the-field problems have prompted speculation in the local media that he ought to be traded or released. “Marshawn in an excellent football player. He made the Pro Bowl a couple years ago. He’s extremely talented, can catch the ball, run it, run with power, get on the edge … We’re fortunate to have a couple of guys at that position and we need to build off that.” – He hasn’t had any discussions with Terrell Owens about returning next season. Owens, 36, had 55 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns while playing on a $6.5 million contract in 2009. “Like all our guys, we’re still sitting there trying to decide the best direction for everyone,” Gailey said. “They’re all individually evaluated, talked to, so there’s nothing new on that front.” The retirement of offensive tackle Brad Butler last week and the Bills’ constant struggles on the offensive line last season has experts speculating Buffalo will address that need with their No. 9 pick, three ahead of Miami.

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Chan Gailey: George Edwards will help Bills’ nose tackles

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