Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson Proposes Unique Strategy to Land Meachem, Williams

The Buffalo Bills have not been historically known as an NFL franchise that has a great deal of appeal for free agents, but with free agency underway and the Bills expecting visits from New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem and Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams, Buffalo running back Fred Jackson proposed an interesting strategy for keeping the free agents in Buffalo once they arrive.

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When Super Mario & Meachem land tonight, the airport should immediately shutdown afterwards! Until they sign. #justsayin #BillsMafia

— Fred Jackson (@Fred22Jackson) March 13, 2012

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All kidding aside, the fact that the two players are even bothering to visit Buffalo shows that they are, at the very least, open to hearing the Bills' proposal, and with Buffalo reportedly nearly $31 million under the salary cap, the team is in a position to make a serious run at retaining their services.

Signing Williams, who is widely considered the most sought-after prize on the defensive side of the ball in this year's free-agent class, would be a huge coup for the Bills, but it would also likely be a costly one. The seventh-year pro, who has 53 career sacks, may command a contract that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the National Football League.

That said, the Buffalo Bills had tons of trouble of getting after the quarterback last season, ranking 27th in the NFL in sacks. Their need at defensive end is even more pressing than that stat indicates; however, the Bills are transitioning to a 4-3 defensive front, leaving them in dire need of personnel that can play end in that formation. Williams has certainly shown the ability to do that with great success during his time with the Texans.

As for Meachem, who had 40 catches for 620 yards and six scores a year ago, the five-year veteran could provide an excellent complement to Steve Johnson at wide receiver for the Bills. That would allow the team to slide either Donald Jones or David Nelson into the slot and provide the Bills with a vertical threat that their passing game presently lacks.

Getting a player in the door for a visit is only the first step in acquiring a free agent, but in the case of Robert Meachem and especially Mario Williams, the Buffalo Bills should be prepared to pull out all the stops.

Including sending Fred Jackson to Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

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