PITTSFORD — Every team in the NFL looks for the diamond in the rough, a player whose brilliance is hidden from view.

The Buffalo Bills think they have an unpolished gem in Demetrius Bell.

The second-year offensive tackle is still a developmental project at this point in his career, but he shows definite signs of promise.

"He's got a lot of raw talent," said Bills offensive line coach Sean Kugler. "But over the last year, Demetrius has really blossomed. He's athletic and he's competitive. He's a willing worker, so I'm real excited about Demetrius."

Bell, the first of three seventh-round draft picks in 2008, has talent and a lot of potential. What he needs now is more playing time.

He got plenty of it in the Bills' preseason opener.

Bell started at right tackle for the injured Brad Butler and played well into the third quarter of Sunday's Hall of Fame game.

"It felt good being out there with the starters," Bell said. "Since the game was over I've been going over and over each play in my head and thinking what I could have done better. I'm always tough on myself, but I'm encouraged. I think I'm headed in the right direction."

Bell's combination of size (6-foot-5, 303 pounds) and athleticism conjures up memories of another offensive tackle project.

The Bills signed Jason Peters as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and three years later the former college tight end had emerged as one of the elite left tackles in the NFL.

It probably isn't fair to put Bell in the same category as Peters, who was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason. But Kugler does see some athletic similarities.

"The thing you could probably say that compares to Jason is Demetrius may be out of position sometimes, but he has the ability to recover, whereas some guys would probably struggle if they're in the same position," Kugler said. "Jason had a knack for that, and Demetrius has that same knack."

"I wouldn't say he's a natural football player based on the little experience he's had, but he's working to become a natural football player. We've been very pleased with his progress. He's going to continue to get playing time. He is following along the path we expected at this point."

Bell's progress is impressive considering this is just his fifth year in organized football at any level. He didn't even play offensive tackle until three weeks before Northwestern (La.) State's 2006 opener at Kansas.

That was the first of 22 consecutive starts at left tackle for Bell, who went to Northwestern State on a basketball scholarship.

"Football is still new to me, but a lot of the footwork and movements are similar to basketball," said Bell, whose father is NBA great Karl Malone. "Right now, the key for me is honing in on improving my techniques and just focus on becoming a better football player. The only thing I'm lacking right now is playing time on the field. The more of that I get the better I'll be down the road."

Even if Butler's back is healthy enough for him to return this week, Kugler plans to continue giving Bell a lot of work in the preseason.

Bell also has taken some snaps at guard in training camp and flashed some ability that gives the team a little flexibility on game day.

"If we've seven [linemen] on game day and Demetrius is not in the top five then he would have to be able to play guard and tackle," Kugler said. "So we were pleased with what he showed us at guard."

Actually, Bell hasn't done much that the Bills aren't happy about this summer. Kugler said Bell is getting better every day because he works at it.

And while Bell is not a finished product, Kugler is thrilled with how far Bell has come in a short period of time.

"That's what coaching is all about," Kugler said. "You get excited about working with a young prospect and seeing him grow and develop, and seeing him get better each day and be eager to learn all those things he has to be able to do. He's a joy to coach and with his work ethic I just think he'll get better and better."