PITTSFORD — In Perry Fewell's system, the middle linebacker is the coach on the field. The middle linebacker, also known as the "mike," must have a total knowledge of the scheme and make sure everyone is lined up properly. He's in charge of the calls and communication of the defense. For the Buffalo Bills, that responsibility falls on Paul Posluszny.

It is a lot to put on a player who doesn't reach 25 years old until October.

"It can slow you down mentally as well as physically," said Fewell, the Bills' defensive

coordinator.

But Posluszny is a willing and able student. The former Penn State linebacker said before

training camp that last year he was too tentative and a step slow mentally, but the Bills felt

that last year was essentially his rookie season.

"You have to be so exact with your instincts and your movements," Posluszny said. "If you

hesitate or make a false step — and that's the big thing taking just one step in the

wrong direction — that's the difference between making an interception or making a

tackle after a catch. I have to be at the point where I'm so clean and so efficient that I can

make those plays. Last year if a receiver makes a catch it was an immediate tackle. That's OK,

but not good enough for you to be a great team."

In 2007 he became the first rookie middle linebacker since fellow Penn State alum Shane

Conlan (1987) to start for the Bills, but he was placed on injured reserve three games later

after suffering a season-ending forearm injury. Last season, Posluszny started all 16 games

while learning the nuances of playing the mike on the run. They expect more from him this time

around.

"Some of the plays you would like to see him make like impact plays, he will make those

this year," Fewell said. "He will be more explosive, he will be more instinctive, he's learned

the defense even better."

Posluszny was productive last season. He led the team with 129 tackles including 88 solos.

His total tackles were 35 more than Ryan Denney who placed second on the team. But Posluszny

had only two tackles for a loss, seven passes tipped away and one interception, but he

believes those numbers will increase once he becomes more comfortable running the system.

"I'm getting closer, I'm making strides," he said. "I'm not where I want to be right now

but that's OK. If I'm there on Monday Night Football [at New England for the Sept. 14 opener],

then we're in good shape. There's still a lot of room for improvement and as long as I

progress around camp and improve each day I'll be fine."

There's heavy film study involved and learning the routes of the receivers and the running

habits of the backs. Does Randy Moss like to run a 5- or 10-yard route when it's third-and-4?

What are the three route combinations that the Miami Dolphins run against man and zone

coverage? What do the New York Jets like to run on third-and-3? Posluszny has to know it all.

"We break down all that stuff just to get a feel for what they do," he said. "We're not

going to predict the play, you rarely can predict the play. During the season, it seems like

we're watching film all day. We watch game tape during the meetings and then you bring it home

at night and break it down further. As long as it takes to make sure you have a good grasp."

Monday night after a meeting, Fewell pulled Posluszny aside and told him he likes what he

sees so far in training camp.

"His actual read on the quarterback, his set, and his plant and drive to the spot has

improved a whole lot," Fewell said. "When he sees it now, especially in the run game, he

believes it."