Shortly after Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey finished discussing how much Trent Edwards has improved this pre-season, the quarterback in question walked by and took a spot on a bench outside the locker-room.
"I think he's gotten better, and that's the best way I can judge somebody," Gailey said after practice Monday, providing his first in-depth insight on Edwards since naming him the starter two days earlier. "I've seen a light at the end of the tunnel. And that's what you're looking for."
However bright that glimmer is — or how much Edwards might have overheard — is not entirely apparent.
So when it was Edwards' turn to speak to reporters, the quarterback wasn't prepared to acknowledge he's accomplished anything just yet by having won a three-way, off-season-long competition for the job.
"I'm fortunate to be in the position I am," Edwards said. "But I can't sit here and be proud of myself by any means."
What does mean something to Edwards is the insight he's drawn from the few ups and many downs he's endured in three previous seasons in Buffalo. He's gone from being a fan-favourite as a rookie starter to having many of those same supporters derisively label him "Captain Checkdown" and "Trent-ative" a year ago before being benched midway through last season.
"I feel like I've been through a lot in my career here. I feel like I've seen it all," Edwards said. "I've seen the highs and lows and I'm still standing here."
With a newfound perspective, Edwards prepares to make the most of his second chance in leading the Bills as they get ready to host Miami in the season-opener on Sunday.
It's a fresh start for the former third-round draft pick out of Stanford, who spent the past three seasons struggling to find his rhythm in a conservative attack employed by defensive-minded coach Dick Jauron, who was fired in November.
That's all changed under Gailey, an offensive specialist who has introduced a more aggressive approach.
Edwards refuses to dwell too much on what happened in the past.
"I know we want to sit here and try to find reasons on why we're working better, and why we weren't last year," Edwards said. "For some reason, we're clicking right now."
What's evident is the increase in production the offence enjoyed this pre-season when Edwards led the starters to score five touchdowns in four games. That was a switch from last year, when the Bills starting offence was limited to two field goals in five preseason games.
Just as important, Edwards has begun shedding the checkdown label by showing he is, in fact, capable of completing deep passes.
This pre-season, he connected on four passes of at least 25 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown to Lee Evans. In seven regular-season starts last year, Edwards completed just 11 passes over 25 yards — and that was despite the Bills offence featuring the one-two receiving tandem of Evans and Terrell Owens.
Evans is impressed by what he's seen from Edwards, who has proven to be more assertive on and off the field.
"You see him taking control of the quarterback position. And what I mean by that, he's understanding what defence are trying to do and making adjustments," Evans said. "From his point of view, people can't be telling him what (the adjustments) are, he has to see them. And so that's where he's grown."
Bills defenders have even seen a change in Edwards.
"He's carrying himself like a veteran quarterback," defensive end Marcus Stroud said. "Despite what everybody was saying and writing him off and everything, he still came in here like he was the leader, like he was the starting quarterback. And everybody took notice of that."
Edwards was conscious to make sure he carried himself with more confidence in a bid to lead by example.
"I'm carrying myself the way I want to see my teammates carry themselves," he said. "That's what I want out of my teammates and that's the attitude and approach I'm taking."
As impressed as Gailey's been, so far, he's aware there will be challenges ahead. One key to Edwards' success is getting protection from an offensive line that hasn't been healthy this preseason. Another key is Edwards continuing to develop.
"He's got a chance to have a very good year," Gailey said. "But we've got to keep progressing."
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