The Bills lost nine of their last 11 games last season, but C.J. Spiller is optimistic about their chances in 2012. Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, but the running back has his sights set higher. "We split with New England [last year]," Spiller said. "We had the Giants on the ropes. We are close to being a Super Bowl team." He didn't stop there. "Every year we expect to win and make the playoffs and make a run, but we don't just want to make the playoffs, we're trying to get to the Super Bowl," Spiller said. "Why get to the playoffs if you're not trying to win the Super Bowl? That's the ultimate and that's what we talk about is being champions. If you're not trying to be a champion as we say, 'You're in the wrong business.'"

According to Jim Kelly, no one on the Bills will gain more from a formidable Buffalo defense than Ryan Fitzpatrick. "If this team stays healthy and this defense stays healthy," Kelly said, "then Ryan Fitzpatrick's best asset will be a dominating defense that will shorten the field for him so he doesn't feel like he's carrying the whole burden of the Buffalo Bills, not just the team, but the whole city on his shoulders." Fitzpatrick got off to a great start last season before trailing off considerably in the second half. "He has to play better and I think he knows it," Kelly added. "He doesn't need me to tell him that. I'll tell you what though, I'm more excited about this year than any of the last 10 years, at least. I know that."

The Bills haven't made the playoffs in 12 years, but the young team is hoping they'll be contending in the coming years. Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to feel strongly about his supporting cast. "There's been a big difference for me, in my confidence level," the quarterback said in regards to his progress. "Actually charting the throws and percentage of throws that are on the money, and percentage of throws that are being completed, there's been a nice increase over the offseason." Buffalo started strong in 2011, but Fitzpatrick believes the franchise has turned a corner. "I think you expect big things out of us this year. Our defense and just going up against them in OTAs -- they have really improved and they're pushing to make us better, and so that'll help us out a lot as well," he said. "But we'll sit down. We haven't really set any team goals or offensive goals yet, but feeling in the building right now is we gotta get back to the playoffs. We gotta get in the dance and see what happens."

We've haven't seen Shawne Merriman operate at full throttle in years, but the Bills defensive end says he's ready to make a difference. "One hundred percent," Merriman told The Buffalo News. "I feel very comfortable right now." On the rebound from shoulder and Achilles surgeries, Merriman can't be relied on for consistent production. Merriman has played in just 23 games and logged just five sacks since 2008.

With Ryan Fitzpatrick entrenched as Buffalo's starting quarterback, the team is expected to release the player that fails to win the backup job. Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen will compete to be the No. 2 option in training camp. Brad Smith is the team's No. 3 option and he carries dynamic skills.

Progress is being made in negotiations to extend the Bills lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium and the $200M price tag for renovations that comes with it, leaving Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz hopeful an agreement in principal could be reached by the end of next month. "I feel there's agreement on some basic principles, and as a result I feel that we're headed in the right direction," Poloncarz said by phone on Friday.

Buffalo's Kyle Williams appears ahead of schedule as he recovers from Achilles surgery. Williams played some 11-on-11 reps on Friday. “It’s a lot different. Thursday it felt uncomfortable,” he said. “Obviously I’ve been out of it for a while so being in my stance and being able to adjust things, but it comes back pretty quick and so Thursday I felt like I was kind of feeling it out and (Friday) I felt I had a little more snap and a little more get off and felt more comfortable. I want to avoid anything that gets me off to a slow start. When we get to camp I want to hit the ground running because I want to be ready to roll come September. So this is big.”