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Smith, Mora and Mularkey excited by new jobs
Mularkey, meanwhile, is doing his own work at quarterback. He's been hired to revitalize the career of quarterback Drew Bledsoe. It's becoming clear this is a make or break year for Bledsoe, who is due a $7 million option bonus at the end of the season.
If Bledsoe doesn't get it done this year, Mularkey may be grooming another quarterback for the future. The Bills could take Philip Rivers in the first round but they believe he will be drafted before they pick at No. 13. If that's the case, they might take a quarterback in the second round.
Mularkey met with Bledsoe two weeks after he was hired and talked about his role with the Bills.
"The old saying is you can't teach an old dog new tricks," Mularkey said. "You can teach a guy with his experience something that will make him more effective. If there's anybody who can do it I think Sam Wyche is the guy. He is very detail oriented. He has coached some great quarterbacks. Everything from the huddle to the snap to the whistle, he is talking these guys through everything."
Bledsoe tends to sit in the pocket and get creamed. To adapt, Mularkey wants Bledsoe to release the ball on his fifth step.
"Some of that is in the design of the play," Mularkey said. "On his fifth step, he's got to let it go. Some of the scheme will almost force him to get the ball out of his hands quicker. I'm not going to say anything about the system or last year. I have a different philosophy on how to attack, and I think (offensive coordinator) Tom Clements has the same one, which is why I feel comfortable with Tom calling the plays. He has seen it be effective. I think it improved Kordell Stewart's play. It improved Tommy Maddox's play. I think it will help Drew."
Even though Mora, Smith and Mularkey have been career assistants, they sounded like experienced coaches at the meeting this week.
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