Here is how I see the position battles on defense shaping up:

Nose Tackle
With the Bills transitioning to the 3-4 this season under new defensive coordinator George Edwards, nose tackle seems to be the biggest question mark. Like the running back situation, look for the Bills to use different NTs for different packages.

* Not sure how many pure nose tackles they will keep with Marcus Stroud and Dwan Edwards able to bump down into that spot for different schemes. We’ll see how Lonnie Harvey performs during camp.

Outside Linebacker
When switching to the 3-4, you are adding another linebacker to your defense. Question is, which ones on your roster fit the scheme best?

Aaron Maybin: Maybin, their 2009 first-round pick, was born to play rush OLB in a 3-4 defense. We all saw how he was gobbled up as a defensive end last season, but now he will be playing in space and have the ability to rush the QB by standing up and coming off the edge. He is a lock to start at the rush OLB position heading into camp.

Aaron Schobel: By default, Schobel will move from being a Pro Bowl defensive end to an OLB

opposite Maybin. Question is, will he retire or not? Schobel told News 4 Sports in Buffalo that he is leaning toward returning to football. Stay tuned.

Reggie Torbor: A late off-season addition, Torbor brings experience to the 3-4 defense. He played under Edwards in Miami and looks like he is most capable of manning the other OLB spot, that is, if Schobel indeed retires.

Chris Kelsay: Also changing from DE to OLB, Kelsay comes into camp trying to prove that he can make the switch to OLB. A 2003 second-round pick of the Bills, Kelsay knows he may be the odd man out on this defense. If he shows in camp he can play the OLB position well, he could make the team. His salary is what may cost him a spot when it’s all said and done.

Inside Linebacker
Paul Posluszny: The Bills defensive captain from last year, Posz will be returning as the middle linebacker in 2010. He is the heart and soul of the Bills defense and there is no doubt in my mind he will remain there for years to come.

Andra Davis: Yet another off-season addition, Davis brings experience to the Bills' new scheme, having played in similar defenses with the Browns and Broncos. Davis held his own, leading the Browns in tackles in 2003 with 136 and 2005 with 149. This guy is everything you want in a linebacker and it will be hard to keep him off the field.

Kawika Mitchell: Coming off his knee injury last season, Mitchell has a tough road to sneak into the starting lineup. Training camp for him is going to be huge because he needs to not only prove he is healthy, but prove he can make the switch from the outside.

Others: Arthur Moats, Danny Batten, Chris Ellis, Keith Ellison, Nic Harris.

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-- TERRY LONG
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