--Quarterback Trent Edwards, who wore a scruffy beard all during his rookie season, showed up clean-shaven for the start of offseason conditioning workouts. One reason for cleaning up was his sister's wedding. The other?

"I'm trying to enjoy the California sun a little bit," said the Los Gatos, Calif., resident.

Vacation is actually over for the second-year pro, particularly since he begins his second NFL season entrenched as the Bills starter. He was handed the position based on his potential to get better and veteran J.P. Losman's inability to improve.

Edwards said being rid of the rookie "wow factor" will help him in his sophomore year.

"I think once you kind of get past that, definitely you can grow a little bit and not have that be a distraction and you can kind of focus more on your job," he said. "And that's hopefully what I'll be able to do, kind of get past that rookie hump and move in the right direction my second year."

--The Bills expect about 50 players to take part in their 12-week voluntary offseason conditioning program that kicked off March 25. Players are able to work under the direction of the club's strength and conditioning coaches and meet with their position coaches to study film. No on-field work is allowed by the NFL.

Clubs are allowed field workouts during organized team activities. The Bills have four sessions scheduled beginning May 19-22 and a mandatory minicamp will take place June 11-13. Among the veterans arriving to take part in offseason conditioning drills were Lee Evans, Trent Edwards, Derrick Dockery, Chris Kelsay, Terrence McGee, Melvin Fowler, Josh Reed, Langston Walker, Donte Whitner, Jabari Greer, Brad Butler, Kyle Williams and Ko Simpson.

--Former Bills OL coach Jim McNally won't let the grass grow under his feet in retirement. McNally, a Buffalo native, has signed on as a volunteer coach at the University of Buffalo, his alma mater. "Being a UB alumnus, I would like to end my career where I started it," said McNally, who retired in January after a 28-year career in the NFL. After starring as a player at UB, his coaching career began at the college as an assistant from 1965-70. He has also coached at Marshall, Boston College and Wake Forest along with Cincinnati, the New York Giants and the Bills with the NFL.

--It won't be official until the league confirms it, but the Sun of Toronto reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Bills at the Rogers Center in an exhibition game, sometime between Aug. 14-18. The exhibition game is part of a five-year deal that brings eight Bills games to Toronto. The Steelers have played north of the border before, beating the Toronto Argos of the Canadian Football League 43-16 in 1960 at Exhibition Stadium.

--Jim Kelly for Congress? The media in Western New York is speculating again on the potential political future of the Bills' Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback after the announcement by Republican Tom Reynolds that he won't seek a sixth term. Kelly has campaigned for area Republicans in the past and party heads have tried to lure him into the political football arena before.

--The Bills re-signed restricted free-agent DT Jason Jefferson, who helps their depth on the front seven. Signing deals as exclusive rights free agents after getting contract tenders were CB Dustin Fox and WR Scott Mayle.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I went out to dinner and celebrated when we made those changes. I really did with some of my family. Getting pieces like we picked up with (Marcus) Stroud and some of the other guys like (Kawika) Mitchell that's big for us. Now we have a couple of more spots to get some depth and we'll be ready to go." - SS Donte Whitner on the offseason additions to the defense.

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