PITTSFORD — As the Buffalo Bills make the transition to a 3-4 defense, it isn’t just the players who have to develop new techniques.

Outside linebackers coach Bob Sanders said Tuesday that this is the first time in 33 years of coaching at the college and professional level that he is working on a team using the 3-4 as its base alignment.

“Certainly I’ve had experience with the 3-4, because I’ve been at it a long time, but more of a change-up,” Sanders said. “Every defense you dabble in it a little bit, but now it’s our base and the other things are the change-up.”

After working as Steve Spurrier’s defensive coordinator at Florida, Sanders broke into the NFL as the Miami Dolphins linebackers coach from 2001-04. He then moved on to the Green Bay Packers, coaching the defensive ends for one season and then coordinating the defense for three.

The Bills hired Sanders to coach the defensive line last season, and he helped the team improve its sack total to 32 from 24 the previous season. Twenty-five of the sacks came from the front four.

Sanders and defensive backs coach George Catavolos were the only assistant coaches retained by Chan Gailey when he took over the team in January.

Chris Kelsay cited Sanders’ coaching as the reason for his strong performance last season.

Kelsay is now one of several players switching from the three-point stance required of defensive ends in the 4-3, to the stand-up pass rushing linebackers with occasional coverage responsibilities in the 3-4.

The only outside linebacker on the Bills roster who is not converting from defensive end is free agent signee Reggie Torbor, who was an inside linebacker in the Dolphins 3-4 alignment last season.

Sanders said defensive coordinator George Edwards, a former linebackers coach, has helped him learn the nuances of the 3-4.

“George has been around some great guys and he does a nice job coaching the coaches,” Sanders said.

At 56, Sanders is still eager to learn new concepts.

“I learned a long time ago to try and stay green and grow every year,” he said. “Football changes every year.”



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Rookie left tackle Ed Wang was not on the practice field Tuesday.

Gailey said Monday that Wang had an injury that might require surgery. Asked Tuesday for an update on Wang, Gailey said, “I have not heard how things turned out, so I can’t give you any kind of report there.”

Gailey did acknowledge that Wang has a hand injury. At Monday’s practice, he had his right leg wrapped. Wang sustained a high ankle sprain during spring practices.

Wang was getting reps with the third team early in camp, behind starting left tackle Demetrius Bell, and backup Jamon Meredith.

Rookie outside linebacker Danny Batten is currently out with a shoulder injury. Gailey said his return to practice, “could be as little as two weeks” away, or “it could be as long as six weeks.”

Rookie receiver Marcus Easley sat out Tuesday’s practice with what Gailey called a sore knee.

Gailey said any rookie who misses an extended portion of training camp due to injury will have a hard time making an impact during the season.

“The only guys that can kind of weather that storm is a vet, a guy that’s been around five or six years and has got his position firmly entrenched,” Gailey said.



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With Kelsay nursing a shoulder injury and Aaron Schobel no longer in the teams plans, most would figure this is the time for last year’s first-round pick, Aaron Maybin, to prove his worth as a pass rusher.

But for the time being, Maybin is slotted behind Torbor at right outside linebacker, and he’s yet to show any sign of an inside move to complement his outside speed rush.

Meanwhile, 2007 third-round pick Chris Ellis is spending a lot more time working with the starting group, mostly in Kelsay’s place on the left side.

“He’s improved,” Sanders said. “He’s doing a good job making the transition from having his hand on the ground in the 4-3. He’s looking at tape and he’s improved every day from the beginning.”

The 261-pound Ellis is significantly stouter in his lower body that Maybin.