LB Torbor eager to make fresh start in Buffalo

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Linebacker Reggie Torbor has no intention discussing what went wrong in Miami now that he's got a fresh start with the Buffalo Bills.

The sixth-year NFL player was in an upbeat mood after taking part in his first Bills practice during voluntary workouts Tuesday, one day after signing a two-year contract. It's a new deal that replaces the two years he had left on his contract, which was terminated by the Dolphins late last month, when the team balked at paying Torbor a $3 million salary he was due this season.

"I could sit here and talk about this and that, but then it'll just start something. It's useless," Torbor said, refusing to get drawn in to talk about how his two-year tenure ended in Miami. "I have a good job. I have a place where I'm wanted. I have good teammates, good coaching staff. The rest will take care of itself."

That doesn't mean he lacks motivation.

"I think I have a lot left to show still," Torbor said. "I kind of come to work with a little chip, something to prove. It helps."

The practice Tuesday was Torbor's first since he had offseason shoulder surgery. He said the injury is not fully healed, but felt pretty good.

The Bills are counting on Torbor, who becomes the latest addition to a defense that's making the switch to the 3-4 scheme this season. It's a scheme Torbor was familiar with in Miami. And he's reunited with former Dolphins linebackers coach, George Edwards, who has taken over as the Bills defensive coordinator this season.

With experience playing both inside and outside linebacker spots, the 6-foot-2, 257-pounder is currently slated to compete for an outside position in Buffalo. Torbor's arrival not only provides much-needed experience to a young linebacking corps, it also serves as insurance as the Bills' top pass-rusher, Aaron Schobel, contemplates retirement this offseason.

Selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 draft out of Auburn, Torbor was a noted pass rusher as a defensive end in college. Though he's been a consistent contributor as a backup and on special teams in the NFL, Torbor has failed to land a regular starting role.

He had only three starts in 32 games with the Dolphins, during which he managed just 1½ sacks, and was unable to beat out linebackers Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele for a starting job.

Torbor's numbers with the Giants were only slightly better. He had five sacks in 62 games, including 18 starts.

"It's me," he said, blaming himself for his pedestrian statistics. "You don't look around and say it was the coach's fault or somebody else's fault."

Torbor added that he did gain plenty of experience learning from the Giants pass-rushing specialists such as Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.

Torbor smiled when reminded that the Bills are scheduled to open the season against hosting AFC East rival Miami.

"I'm looking forward to playing, period," Torbor said. "I'm going to go out there and we want to win the game. It's no secret."