NFL Free Agency Rumors: Mario Williams Appears Close to Signing With Bills

According to Tim Graham of Buffalo News, linebacker Mario Williams may just be one step closer to signing:

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For what it's worth, Mario Williams spotted leaving Buffalo Medical Group office this morning. That would seem to be a physical, folks.

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) March 14, 2012"

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Take it however you like, but if the Buffalo Bills do land Williams, this is a ginormous move.

Williams is the best defensive free agent this year, and would be the Bills' best defender since the days of Bruce Smith—the NFL's all-time career sack leader with 200.

Super Mario is also a two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, so his ability to stop the run and apply great quarterback pressure is something Buffalo hasn't seen for quite some time.

For his career, Williams had recorded 53 sacks, 241 tackles and has forced 11 fumbles. After playing in a little over four games last season before his injury, Williams recorded five sacks and 10 solo tackles for the Houston Texans.

As for Buffalo's defense; it ranked No. 28 against the run, No. 19 against the pass and allowed an average of 371 total yards per game (ranked No. 26). The Bills recorded just 29 sacks despite forcing 17 fumbles and also allowed 27 points per game (ranked No. 30).

Only Minnesota and Tampa Bay gave up more points per game, and even the St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts (both of which went 2-14) allowed less points than the Bills (who went 6-10).

Williams will thrive in Buffalo's 3-4 defense as a great complement to Marcell Dareus, Kelvin Sheppard and Nick Barnett in the front seven. Provided that Super Mario does end up playing for Buffalo in 2012, the Bills' defensive front will be fun to watch.

John Rozum onTwitter.