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Searching for leaders Offseason turnover creates leadership void for Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- The sudden departure of a large veteran core of players doesn't necessarily mean the Buffalo Bills lack leaders. On the contrary. Long-serving and respected vets such as defensive end Phil Hansen and safety Henry Jones insist there are players prepared to fill the leadership vacuum left by Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith. "Leaders are going to emerge," Jones said Wednesday, the second day of the Bills' eight-day mini camp. "Obviously, we lost some great guys, some great talents on the field, vocal leaders. But I think there's an opportunity for some more guys to step up and show that they have the same qualities." "I'll tell you the truth," added Hansen, "leadership seems to be the most talked about thing this year. But you lead by example. I'm not going to tell anybody how to play their position unless they ask." It starts from the top, Hansen said. "From the coaches, all the way up there and it just flows through the whole team. Older guys have to take it to the younger guys," he said. And that means telling newcomers what to expect and what is expected of them, Hansen said. Together, Hansen and Jones are the longest serving members of the Bills, both acquired in 1991. Taking that into account, the two organized a players-only session before the start of April's three-day mini camp. "There may have been some questions -- by a lot of people, a lot of guys on the team, even -- about the moves that were made in the off-season," Jones said. "And I think it was time to clear the air, for us and say, 'Every year there's change. ... The only difference this year is some veterans that were here for a long time are gone. But that just means some guys are going to have to step up and play.'" The Bills are fully in the midst of a transition. Of the 77 players in camp, 32 are rookies and 16 others have fewer than three years NFL experience. The list of the departed -- many of them gone as a result of salary-cap restraints this off-season -- cuts deep and includes Pro Bowl fullback Sam Gash, cornerback Thomas Smith and safety Kurt Schulz. Now many of the younger players especially on offense -- running back Antowain Smith, wide receiver Eric Moulds and No. 1 quarterback Rob Johnson -- have to take hold of the torch. Smith is well aware of the challenges. "Thurman was our leader. He was very outspoken and people looked up to the guy. Now that's going to fall on to some of the young guys like myself," Smith said. "More guys are going to step up and let the younger guys know what it is that we expect out of this team." Coach Wade Phillips has spent the last few days discussing the importance of developing chemistry. Developing leadership is part of that process. "You know you practice everything. You practice all the skills to play football, but you also practice being a leader if you're a leader," Phillips said. While noting the Bills still have four of their six team captains returning from last year, Phillips said he has challenged his younger players to take on more responsibility. "That's what I approached them with: 'Take it upon yourself.' Especially the guys that are the most experienced in their own group," said Phillips, mentioning Smith and Moulds. "They're all young players, but they're ready to step up. They're good enough players to do that, too."
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