The Big Men Arrive
The Bills dropped the bombshell their fans have been hoping for today. They pulled the trigger on the Marcus Stroud deal. If he is healthy they got a steal. Third- and fifth-round picks for one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL is a dream come true. Is he still one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL? Stroud said he's determined to prove it.
"I want to show you guys I've still got a lot left in the tank," Stroud said.
Meanwhile, they also added Spencer Johnson, a 286-pounder who can share time with John McCargo. Johnson gave Minnesota good play as a backup the past four years.
The thing is, even if Stroud does not return to his Pro Bowl form, this was a risk worth taking by the Bills. Giving up a third and a fifth is not a high price. They don't have to pay him a big signing bonus. He's already signed for three more years. So if he gets hurt, they've really lost almost nothing. Plus: Where else were they going to find a big defensive tackle? There weren't any others available in free agency. Kris Jenkins, acquired by the Jets, wanted to go to a big market. He would not have been happy in Buffalo. Even if they drafted a guy in the first round, there's a good chance that guy would have taken a year or so to make a big impact, if ever. (See Ryan Sims, No. 6 overall, Kansas City.)
Well, what's the reaction from Bills Nation?
---Mark Gaughan
Some say there are two seasons in Buffalo, football season and waiting for football season. Bills beat writers Mark Gaughan and Allen Wilson, along with sports columnist Bob DiCesare and reporters Rodney McKissic and Milt Northrop, offer background and perspective inside the Bills and the NFL.
My bad John of Buffalo, Accept my appologies, I meant to call out Greg.
Posted by: JIM C | March 03, 2008 at 05:43 PM
John of Buffalo,
Don't be calling out guys when you don't have your facts straight either. He did not take steroids, he took an over the counter supplement that had a banned substance it it. Most likely ephedra.
Posted by: JIM C | March 03, 2008 at 05:41 PM
Bruce and Chet, educate yourselves before posting your drivel. Stroud doesn't have a drug problem. He took steriods to help recover from his ankle injury. That's it. If that's a problem, I guess you wouldn't take Shawn Merriman either.
Posted by: Greg | March 03, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Great trade if he can stay healthy! HEALTH is the big question. It's a BIG gamble for me, especially giving away a third. After spraining the same surgically repaired ankle last yr., it worries me alot.
Posted by: Jeff | March 03, 2008 at 08:04 AM
More damaged goods with a drug problem. I'll rejoice after the season opener. From now till than is only poppycock for the locals and TORONTO. LOL
Posted by: Bruce | March 03, 2008 at 05:43 AM
According to billsinsider.com, the Bills have contacted Alge Crumpler, Ben Troupe is on his way to WNY, Johnson will visit tomorrow. Can't wait to see how this all unfolds!
Posted by: Jason | March 02, 2008 at 04:35 PM
The biggest risk isn't his ankle; it's his four-game suspension for a banned substance last season. I believe the next failed test will result in a yearlong suspension. Unless he can hire Travis Henry's attorney.
Posted by: Chet Zeshonski | March 02, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Thge 8 year playoff drought is over. Our defense is now something to consider. The D-line is solid and the linebacking corp looks great. The only thing we need is a top flight corner. offense is questionable but Marshawn should improve off last season
Posted by: GO BILLS | March 02, 2008 at 12:37 PM
mortensen is talking evans/losman to detroit
Posted by: Dan from Philly | March 02, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Open up and say RRROOOAAARRR!!! Great move. Even better if they can swing a 3rd-rounder for Losman, in which case we're looking at Losman and a 5th rounder for Stroud. Which, as you know, qualifies as theft.
Posted by: Chet Zeshonski | March 02, 2008 at 02:45 AM
I like the move, but we had better be right on his injury. I don't agree with the notion that we have nothing to lose if he doesn't pan out. If he doesn't pan out, we gave up a 3rd and 5th. That not nothing, thats a lot!!!
Posted by: John S | March 01, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Playoffs?!
Posted by: massimo | March 01, 2008 at 10:21 PM
It's good to give credit to Wilson and Brandon for pulling the trigger but these decisions about which players to sign are (hopefully) being primarily made by John Guy and Dick Jauron with much input from Fewell and in this case Kollar.
I really don't want Brandon deciding which players to sign, and hope he does not want that either!
Posted by: Kennedy-Dodd Waitress Sandwich | March 01, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Yea Baby!
Posted by: Rick | March 01, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Great move all around. This defense looks to be much better against the run in '08. And not to mention, this will free up Schobel in ways he's never even imagined. Way to go, Bills.
Posted by: Andrew Stroud | March 01, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Nice to hear some proactive good news concerning our sports teams for a change. Suddenly, it's not off base to think the Bills could once again be a decent team. Phil Housley's cute!
Posted by: Silly Sally Susy Sabre | March 01, 2008 at 07:44 PM
I want to make it known that I am an equal opportunity fan. I rag on the Sabres for not signing their stars and seemingly not making enough of a push to win it all.
Keeping that in mind, I want to say how proud I am of the Bills for making these recent moves. I feel that they did what was needed to make the team competitive, yet they didn't mortgage the future by trading important draft picks, and they didn't jeapordize the future salary cap by giving out huge bonuses and guaranteed money. They were smart, solid football moves. And if they don't workout, I will make sure I at least give them credit for trying.
The team at HSBC arena could learn something from Russ Brandon. He would never get caught in a Vanek-like situation.
Posted by: Jeff | March 01, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Bravo Ralph Wilson for spending the money.
Bravo Russ Brandon for taking a star player from the Jags (like other teams do to the Sabres) for next to nothing. a 3rd and a 5th round pick? amazing.
I agree that I haven't been this excited for the Bills in a great while.
If Stroud doesn't work out, what's the big loss? We didn't even pay Tommy Kelly money for him.
Thank you, Bills, for at least giving Buffalo fans something to feel good and excited about in these long winter months. It was getting depressing watching the star athletes leave buffalo. Way to go out and drag one back into the Queen City!
And way to not remind him he's taking a pay cut because there are no state taxes in Florida....opps, hope he doesn't read this!
Posted by: Jeff | March 01, 2008 at 07:06 PM
I am so excited. The Bills are addressing their biggest needs and freeing up the draft to go for a top WR. I haven't been this optimistic about the Bills in years. I like our young guys on the team and if these new veteran guys pan out, it will be awesome.
Posted by: jennifer | March 01, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Awesome job by Russ Brandon and the rest of the front office- keep it up this offseason and you're going to prove a lot of people wrong for questioning your hiring.
A WR or TE signing would be huge before draft day- let's get this team back to the playoffs!
Posted by: David | March 01, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Nice...
That's all I have to say.
Posted by: Stephen | March 01, 2008 at 05:43 PM