2012 NFL Free Agents: Mario Williams, Robert Meachem Visiting Buffalo Bills

Bills fans everywhere are losing their minds.

Adam Schefter officially reported via Twitter that free agents Mario Williams and Robert Meachem are scheduled to visit the Bills Tuesday night.

Williams has long been the Bills’ most ideal free-agent target since the offseason began, as he is an exceptional player who fits the team’s biggest defensive need. But fans and analysts alike have been skeptical that the small-market team could lure one of the game’s elite players.

On the other side of the ball, Buffalo apparently had a plan all along to bypass Vincent Jackson and target a less expensive yet very talented wide receiver in Robert Meachem. Meachem is sometimes labeled a one-trick pony with blazing deep speed, but the fact is, he hasn’t received a ton of opportunities to showcase his abilities in New Orleans’ explosive spread offense.

If Bills fans were happy with GM Buddy Nix and the new regime before, they have to be truly ecstatic at the way this offseason has started off.

First, the team retained some of its own key free-agent players in Steve Johnson, Scott Chandler and Kirk Morrison. They offered restricted free-agent contracts to offensive linemen Kraig Urbik and Chad Rinehart—both of whom are quality interior linemen who will come cheaply if their offers stand.

Now, Buffalo has kept its promise to be aggressive in free agency by targeting two perfect fits on both sides of the ball and setting up visits with those players.

Tim Graham of the Buffalo News pointed out the following on Twitter: “Mario Williams making Buffalo his first visit. Significant for Bills just to get him to come here. That it’s his first stop, even bigger.”

Knowing they would push hard for Williams, the front office smartly targeted Robert Meachem from the get-go, a 6’2”, 210-pound wideout who can stretch the field and make big plays. At just 27 years old, he would be an affordable and effective complement to Steve Johnson on the outside.  

If the Bills are actually able to sign Williams and Meachem at the beginning of free agency, the culture of Buffalo football will truly be shifting back to its winning ways. It demonstrates that the organization has a clear, identifiable plan and that it is carrying that plan out. Furthermore, it shows that players are anxious to join the movement.

Though both Williams and Meachem are only visiting as of now and nothing has officially happened, it’s still exciting to see the Bills taking such smart action.