Published: March 29, 2008 11:20 pm            

BILLS: Posluszny back to 100 percent

ORCHARD PARK — As evidenced by Paul Posluszny’s opening exchange with media members Tuesday, the mood was light as the Buffalo Bills began offseason voluntary workouts at the Ralph Wilson Stadium Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

“What have you guys been doing?” Posluszny asked a group of reporters.

Covering hockey was the answer from one media member in attendance, who then informed Posluszny that the Sabres’ playoff chances were in peril. Told the team needed defensemen, Posluszny responded: “That’s why I’m growing my hair out.”

The exchange showed why Time Warner Cable felt compelled to put Posluszny in commercials last season, even before the rookie lived up to his potential on the field. The middle linebacker’s season ended in a Week 3 loss at New England, when a broken forearm landed him on injured reserve.

While he was in a good mood Tuesday, it quickly became evident Posluszny had a tough time missing so much of his rookie season.

“Being hurt and just watching the game is horrible,” he said. “There’s no other way to say it. When you can’t do what you’re supposed to do and what you love, it’s a hard circumstance.”

While Posluszny quickly became a fan favorite, he realizes there’s plenty of work left to accomplish on the field, both for himself and the team. The Bills have missed the playoffs a franchise-record eight straight seasons, but offseason additions to the defense have fan optimism higher than it’s been in recent memory.

“I think with the new guys we brought in, this being the third year our coaches have been in this system, everyone is more comfortable, everything will be more fluid. When we’re on the field we’ll know a lot more and I think with the new talent that we have our defense is going to be a lot better,” he said.

That talent Posluszny referred to is linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants in February, and defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who came to the Bills in a trade with Jacksonville.

Along with the return of Posluszny, they’ll be counted on to shore up a leaky run defense that has ranked near the bottom of the league the past few seasons.

“We’ve got great playmakers now. We’re going to be more comfortable with our scheme so I think everything will be better off,” Posluszny said.

More than 40 players were on the field Tuesday for the start of the conditioning program. Though the sessions are voluntary, team strength and conditioning coach John Allaire made it clear attendance was beneficial for reasons other than just getting in shape.

“I think it’s real important, especially for team chemistry. Not so much understanding our program, but just getting to know and work with the other players,” he said.

For Posluszny, it meant the unofficial start to 2008.

“It’s great to be not considered injured anymore and off IR. I’m just another one of the guys now,” he said.

Contact reporter Jay Skurski at 693-1000, ext. 117.

        

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