The Buffalo Bills made moves to retain four restricted free agents Thursday, re-signed

veteran Bryan Scott and embarked on what probably will be a low-profile free-agency season.

There are not too many "big-splash" players available in this year's NFL free-agency period,

which began at 12:01 a.m. today. Bills General Manager Buddy Nix has stated he sees the draft

as the primary vehicle for building the team.

So the team is not likely to make a big shockwave like last season, when it signed receiver

Terrell Owens.

Nevertheless, the Bills probably can find some veteran help at wide receiver, a position of

need. They also might look for help at defensive end and linebacker.

It does not look like there is much free-agent help available at offensive tackle and

quarterback, two other worrisome positions for the Bills.

The Bills made tender offers to the following restricted free-agent players, essentially

retaining their rights for this season: safety George Wilson, linebacker Keith Ellison, tight

end Derek Schouman and cornerback Ashton Youboty.

Not receiving offers were guard Richie Incognito, tackle Jonathan Scott, tight end Joe

Klopfenstein and quarterback Gibran Hamdan.

Meanwhile, Scott agreed to a two-year contract to stay in Buffalo rather than become an

unrestricted free agent. Scott started seven games at strong safety in 2008 and the first

three in 2009. Then he started six games at weak-side linebacker later in the season due to a

rash of injuries at the position.

The Bills retained the right of first refusal to the four who got offers, should another

team try to sign those players. If the Bills opt not to match, they would receive draft-pick

compensation in return, based on the level of the tender offer.

Wilson started 12 games at strong safety last season and moved ahead of former first-round

pick Donte Whitner on the depth chart at the tail end of the year. Wilson was given an offer

of $1.75 million, meaning another team would have to give up a second-round pick to sign him,

which is highly unlikely. Schouman is the prospective No. 2 tight end behind Shawn Nelson.

Incognito, a former third-round draft pick, was signed by the Bills off waivers from St. Louis

on Dec. 17 and started the last three games. The fact the Bills let him become a free agent is

another indication of the confidence the team has that guard Eric Wood will be fully recovered

from the broken leg he suffered during the season. Scott started eight games, six at left

tackle. Special-teams ace Jon Corto was among the exclusive-rights free agents (two-year

veterans) who also got a tender offer.

Meanwhile, the Bills will see if they can bolster their roster in free agency.

The Bills could use another veteran receiver. Returning from last year are Lee Evans, James

Hardy, Roscoe Parrish and Steve Johnson.

Wideouts who are unrestricted free agents include Tampa's Antonio Bryant, Seattle's Nate

Burleson, Kansas City's Chris Chambers, Houston's Kevin Walter, Washington's Antwaan Randle El

and Cincinnati's Laveranues Coles. Another candidate is San Diego's Kassim Osgood, who has

made three Pro Bowls as a special teamer but has been little-used at wideout. He was drafted

by Nix in 2003.

The Bills need depth at defensive end, where Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson are the

prospective starters. John McCargo, who probably fits better in a 4-3 scheme, is under

contract for one more year.

The 3-4 defensive ends on the unrestricted list include Baltimore's Dwan Edwards, New

England's Jarvis Green and the Jets' Marques Douglas. They will be 29, 31 and 33,

respectively, at the start of next season. Denver's Vonnie Holliday and San Diego's Alfonso

Boone, both 34, would be short-term options.

The list of defensive tackle prospects is slim given the fact the best ones (Vince Wilfork,

Casey Hampton, Ryan Pickett and Aubrayo Franklin) all received franchise tags. However, San

Diego released Jamal Williams on Thursday. Williams, 34, played only one game last season due

to a triceps injury. He made the Pro Bowl three times, from 2005 to 2007.

The Bills need more depth at inside linebacker, where Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell

return. Former Steeler starter Larry Foote, who spent last season with Detroit, is

unrestricted. He will look to be a starter.

. . .

Hardy was selected as the Bills' Ed Block Courage Award winner for 2009. The award is given

to one player on each team who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and

courage. Hardy will be honored at the national awards ceremony Tuesday in Baltimore.

Hardy suffered a torn knee ligament in 2008 and spent the first eight weeks of last season on

the injured reserve list. He saw action in the last two games of the year. Off the field,

Hardy has been active in charitable causes in Buffalo and his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind. He

has worked with the United Way, the Food Bank of WNY and the American Red Cross. He created

the "Homework with Hardy" program with the United Way to support after-school programs and

encourage academic progress. He also organizes turkey drives during Thanksgiving and toy

drives during Christmas in Fort Wayne.