INDIANAPOLIS — The Buffalo Bills think their switch to the 3-4 defense will not be the

major rebuilding job that some might expect.

"We've got some guys who I think it will help," Bills General Manager Buddy Nix said

Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine workouts. "That's one reason I said we're not that far

away, and I still believe that."

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New Bills coach Chan Gailey was spouting a similar tune during an interview at Lucas Oil

Stadium. Gailey said he and new defensive coordinator George Edwards can adjust the scheme of

the three-man line to fit the talents of the players on the team.

"Everybody's looking for a certain type of guy, and we all are looking for that guy, those

of us in the 3-4," Gailey said on the first day of the combine workouts. "And there's not a

lot of 'em, to be perfectly honest. So you have to take people you have and adapt the way you

play. You don't have to play the same type of 3-4. You can adjust to what people do best."

"I think George Edwards has the knowledge of different types of 3-4s to be able to adjust

people to put people in different spots to do their job," Gailey said. "So I think that while

we're all looking for that prototypical nose guy, there's a lot of good football players out

there that don't fit that prototype but at the same time are very good football players and

can be productive players for you on the field. So if you can't get it, you adjust."

The Bills are switching from a 4-3 defensive front, which they have played the past nine

years.

Gailey said the Bills will switch starter Chris Kelsay from defensive end to outside

linebacker. Second-year man Aaron Maybin and third-year man Chris Ellis will make that switch,

as well. So will Aaron Schobel, if he does not retire.

Pairing with incumbent Paul Posluszny at inside linebacker would likely be Kawika Mitchell,

who played weak-side linebacker the past two years.

"We're thinking about starting him inside," Gailey said of Mitchell.

The top defensive linemen currently on the roster are Marcus Stroud (310 pounds), Kyle

Williams (305) and Spencer Johnson (286).

Williams is much lighter than the prototypical, 340-pound nose tackle.

"We feel fairly interchangeable inside, which gives us some versatility," Gailey said.

Obviously, the Bills' new three-man line would look better with one or two 330-pound

prospects to back up the starters.

Nevertheless, Gailey suggests the coaches can adjust the scheme to allow for Williams'

talent.

"He's a very good football player, and Kyle can be productive in whatever defense you put

him in," Gailey said. "I don't see that changing at all, he'll be a very productive player."

Gailey said he thinks the switch to the 3-4 will benefit Maybin, who played only about 15

snaps a game as a rookie.

"He probably fits that better than he does just a 4-3 defensive end," Gailey said. "Aaron's

got a lot of physical talent. And if we can get him ... to where he's standing up and doing

some things off the edge, that might fit him a lot better than being a hand on the ground 4-3

defensive end. I think for him it's a great move."

"We've got guys who are going to get renewed life because of the change," Nix said. "I'm

thinking of guys who were borderline size to play down who are going to be good size to play

up."

Nix said he likes the shift to the 3-4 from a scouting perspective as well.

"Having done both, I think it's easier to find personnel for the 3-4," he said. "You can

move linebackers and hide 'em and bring them from different spots easier than you can take

four down linemen that you know where they're going to be all the time."