Published: May 01, 2009 10:50 pm      

BILLS: Maybin setting tone at camp

ORCHARD PARK — Seems everything about the Bills’ first-round pick Aaron Maybin is quick.

The defensive end chosen by Buffalo with the 11th pick in last weekend’s draft is known for blinding speed off the corner, finishing 2008 with 12 sacks on a Penn State team that won its first nine games and captured the Big Ten title.

Maybin appears to have grown up quick, too, becoming the first-ever client of fellow Penn State alum Lavar Arrington’s company that’s focus is on mentoring new professionals. He and Arrington have become an interesting story, as the three-time all-pro even joined Maybin last weekend for meet-and-greet sessions.

And if the first day of the team’s rookie camp was any indication, Maybin will be quick to take on a leadership role. During the two sessions held inside the Bills Fieldhouse, the rookie led the way in drills, rooting teammates on throughout.

Chalk some of Maybin’s enthusiasm up to maturity, but some if it was simply pent-up energy waiting to get out after four months of waiting to become a bona fide pro.

“It was just good to have a helmet on again. It’s been so long since I’ve been on a football field with a helmet, actually doing some football activities,” he said. “It was good to actually get out there and get going.”

Although he’s known for his quickness, doubters wonder how quickly, if ever, he’ll become a regular contributor. Maybin will likely be penciled in for third downs when the Bills open the season with a Monday night matchup at New England, but at 245 pounds, he’s not likely to be able to contain runs to his end in the team’s 4-3 front.

And even his forte — rushing the passer — might need tweaking before it’s ready for NFL-caliber offensive linemen.

“I would say that the number one thing for any skilled pass rusher in the National Football League is you have to have a counter,” Bills coach Dick Jauron said. “You can’t depend on one thing to beat the tackles here because they’ll adjust if that’s all you have. So, what he has is he has that good first step, the quickness off the edge, and the speed off the edge.

“And those are things you can’t teach, so he’s gifted that way.”

While Maybin is quick to use his gifts wisely, he also seems the type who will take to mentoring as evidenced by his unique relationship with Arrington.

He’ll have a competent role model to learn from on the Bills in two-time Pro Bowler Aaron Schobel, who’ll be looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2008.

Maybin seems content with picking his spots.

“I’m only 21 years old, I’m not arrogant enough to think that I’m going to come in and completely turn everything inside-out in this program,” he said, slipping slightly as if still in college. “All I want to be able to do is come in, work as hard as possible and be able to get on the field and use my skill set to help this team any way possible. Anything that the coaches and my teammates ask of me, I’m going to be the first one to be out there and willing to give 110 percent.”

As for on the field, Maybin’s impact can only help. Buffalo struggled to get to the passer in 2008, finishing 28th in the league with just 24 sacks.

While the Bills are hoping he’ll improve that stat immediately, they’re also hoping Maybin’s efforts will help improve some more important numbers — Buffalo has had just one winning record this decade. Maybin’s Penn State teams, meanwhile, went 20-6 in his two seasons.

“I think that my best will be good enough to help make an impact this year,” he said. “Hopefully, it’ll be enough to help us win some football games.”