Buffalo Bills Free Agency: Stephen Tulloch and 10 Defensive Signings for the Bills
For the better part of the past decade, the Buffalo Bills defense has been absolutely abominable. Things were no different in 2010 as the Bills ranked 28th in points allowed and dead last in rush yards allowed.
With that in mind, the Bills had a decidedly defensive-minded draft, spending seven of their nine picks in April’s NFL Draft on defensive players. Because of that focus on defense, the Bills are expected to be much improved in that area during the upcoming season, whenever that should arrive.
Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus is expected to anchor the defensive front in Buffalo’s 3-4 system for many years to come. Texas cornerback Aaron Williams and LSU linebacker Kelvin Sheppard are each in line to get ample playing time immediately, as well as in the future.
Once the lockout is officially lifted, the Bills will have some decisions to make with free agents of their own. Linebacker Paul Posluszny, safety Donte Whitner and cornerback Drayton Florence are just a few of Buffalo’s defensive players poised to enter free agency.
If the Bills are able to add a couple impactful defensive players to their team through free agency to go with the improving, young cast already in place, they could really surprise in 2011.
Here are 10 plausible defensive additions for the Bills in free agency.
CB Drayton Florence
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Having played for the Bills over the past two seasons, Drayton Florence has done an excellent job as a nickel corner and part-time starter. Last year was particularly fruitful for Florence as he racked up 58 tackles and led the team with three interceptions.
After drafting Texas corner Aaron Williams in the second round of the draft, it appears as though the Bills may be done with Florence. I think that would be a mistake, however, as the Bills’ defensive backfield is quite injury prone. Terrence McGee misses multiple games on a yearly basis and Leodis McKelvin has already suffered a significant injury in his young career.
When everyone is healthy, cornerback may be the Bills’ deepest position on defense, but that health is far from guaranteed. Florence is an experienced player who is a solid coverage guy in either a starting or reserve role. It’s unlikely that Florence would command a significant contract on the open market, so signing him would be a low-risk, high-reward situation for Buffalo.
SS Roman Harper
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With Donte Whitner expecting to get elite-safety money, the Bills appear ready to sever ties with the overrated safety, as well they should. Although Jairus Byrd had a tough sophomore year at free safety, he essentially has that spot locked down, making strong safety the most unsettled position in the Bills defensive backfield.
One possible replacement for Whitner would be former New Orleans Saint Roman Harper. Harper, a second-round pick out of Alabama in 2006, puts up numbers very similar to Whitner’s, but he would likely come at a reduced price. Last season Harper piled up 98 tackles, three sacks, one interception and six forced fumbles. Harper also has accolades that far exceed those of Whitner as he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2010, and won the Super Bowl with New Orleans as well.
While Harper struggles at times in pass coverage as evidenced by his performance against Seattle in last season’s playoffs, he is a very effective run stopper. His prowess against the run would certainly come in handy on a team that had the absolute worst run defense in the league last season.
ILB Barrett Ruud
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Whether or not the Bills decide to re-sign Paul Posluszny, they will still need another inside linebacker who can perform capably beside him or on his own. Third-round pick Kelvin Sheppard is certainly an option, but it remains to be seen whether he can step in and start immediately. Veteran Andra Davis remains on the roster as well, but his best days are behind him.
A decent option to fill the role would be Barrett Ruud, formerly of the Tampa Bay Bucs. Ruud has been a consistent performer throughout his past four seasons as a starter in Tampa, accumulating 114 or more tackles in each of those years. Ruud was decent in 2010, but unspectacular, which means the Bucs may be willing to move on without him.
One issue with signing Ruud would be that he would have to make the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Although that could be problematic for some players, Ruud should be able to handle it.
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OLB Manny Lawson
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Pressuring the quarterback is something the Bills have really struggled with since switching to a 3-4 defense. Since most of the pass rush in a 3-4 comes from the outside linebacker position, the Bills could definitely stand to improve there. 49ers">San Francisco 49er Manny Lawson could certainly help the Bills make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks.
With Shawne Merriman, Chris Kelsay, Aaron Maybin and Arthur Moats, among others, the Bills currently have a ragtag group at outside linebacker. It remains to be seen whether Merriman can return to form, Kelsay is a much better fit as a 4-3 defensive end, Maybin looks to be a bust, and Moats is more of a situational pass rusher than an every-down player at this point.
While Lawson isn’t an absolute terror of a pass rusher, he has had some success getting to the quarterback in the past, namely 2009 when he accrued 6.5 sacks. Despite his lack of superior sack totals, Lawson is valuable in that he is an all-around linebacker. His coverage skills are excellent for a man of his size, and that would be beneficial to a Bills defense that has been dreadful in pass coverage against tight ends in recent years.
SS Danieal Manning
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Yet another option to fill the Bills’ hole at strong safety, the Chicago Bears’ Danieal Manning is an excellent cover safety. Manning, a former All-Pro kick returner, is extremely fast and athletic, enabling him to stay with the league’s best tight ends, as well as most wide receivers.
Although Manning’s status as either an unrestricted or restricted free agent depends upon the result of the lockout, Chicago appears to be ready to move on from Manning as they are ready to insert Major Wright into the starting lineup. Manning is valuable in multiple facets of the game, making him an ideal fit for the Bills.
His average of 82 tackles over the past two seasons suggests that he has the ability to support in run coverage, but as mentioned previously, his coverage skills are what really set him apart. Not only did quarterbacks garner a passer rating of just 59.7 when throwing at Manning last season, but he also failed to give up a single touchdown pass.
ILB Kevin Burnett
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Since moving from the Dallas Cowboys to the San Diego Chargers prior to the 2009 season, Kevin Burnett has begun to cement himself as one of the NFL’s premier inside linebackers. While in Dallas, Burnett was an on-and-off starter who was never able to get into a rhythm. His potential has certainly shone through with the Chargers, however, over the past couple years.
Burnett would be an excellent fit for the Bills defense as he has played in 3-4 defenses throughout his entire NFL career. If Buffalo were to re-sign Posluszny, he would be the perfect complement as well. While Posluszny’s role is that of a cleanup tackler who takes care of ball carriers once they get to the second level, Burnett is a more athletic linebacker capable of rushing the passer.
During the 2010 season, Burnett was “Mr. Everything.” Not only did he register an impressive 95 tackles, but he also picked up two interceptions and six sacks, a rare feat for an inside linebacker. With Burnett being such a fine fit in San Diego, it’s debatable whether the Chargers would be willing to let him go. If they do, though, Buffalo should be one of many suitors.
SS Dawan Landry
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It has been speculated that Baltimore Ravens safety Dawan Landry is seeking a deal that will pay him $5 million per season. Due to this, it’s unlikely that the Ravens will be interested in bringing him back next season, especially with Tom Zbikowski waiting in the wings. If the Bills are going to pay a safety that kind of money, they would be much better served spending it on a complete player like Landry than Whitner.
While some of Landry’s success can certainly be attributed to being one of the league’s most talented defenses and across from one of the all-time best safeties in Ed Reed, his style of play should translate to essentially any defensive system. Landry is considered to be one of the NFL’s most physical safeties, which is impressive considering he suffered a major neck injury in 2008.
Landry has been second on the Ravens in tackles behind Ray Lewis in each of the past two seasons, which is further proof of his ability to stop the run. He has also had success in pass coverage over the course of his career, although that isn’t his strong suit. He picked off five and four passes in 2006 and 2009 respectively. Landry’s physical play and all-around skill set would give the Buffalo defense a much-needed edge.
OLB Mathias Kiwanuka
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Coming off a severe and potentially career-ending neck injury, the New York Giants’ Mathias Kiwanuka has a second lease on life in the NFL. Prior to getting injured in the third game of the 2010 season, Kiwanuka was reasserting himself as a dominant pass rusher, racking up four sacks in three games. While Kiwanuka has been cleared for football activity, there is certainly no guarantee he will be able to return to form.
As a five-year veteran, there is a chance Kiwanuka will be an unrestricted free agent in 2011, and with his injury history, the Giants may not be committed to bringing him back. This is a situation where the Bills could swoop in and sign a major talent at a discounted price.
Other than the injury, another drawback is the fact that the Bills would have to move Kiwanuka back to outside linebacker. Despite playing there earlier in his career, Kiwanuka has mainly been a defensive end since the retirement of Michael Strahan.
At 6'5" and 265 lbs., Kiwanuka is massive for an outside linebacker, but he creates major matchup problems for opposing offensive tackles with his superior athleticism. As long as signing him doesn’t cost a significant amount, the Bills would be well advised to take a chance on Kiwanuka since he can be a dynamic player when he’s at his best.
ILB Paul Posluszny
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Yet another player who is still technically a Bill, Paul Posluszny has been a fixture on Buffalo’s defense for the past three seasons. While that may be construed as a negative considering how porous the Bills defense has been, Poz has often been the lone bright spot on a scuffling defensive unit. It can be argued that Posluszny’s contributions are overrated due to a lack of talent around him, but he has the ability to be a contributor on a solid defense.
Posluszny has put up massive numbers over the past couple seasons, including an impressive 151 tackles in 2010. Despite his consistent production, Poz has been criticized by some Bills fans for making inconsequential tackles down the field, and thus, padding his stats, although there is no true evidence of that.
One shortcoming that can be measured, however, is Posluszny’s penchant for getting injured, having missed 19 games over the course of his young career. Because of that, the Bills may be reluctant to give him a significant contract. If the price is right, however, Posluszny should be a Bill for a long time. Buffalo will need to get him a partner for the interior of the defense, but with the addition of Marcell Dareus on the line, Poz could be in for his best season yet.
ILB Stephen Tulloch
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Although it may seem like a pipe dream that the Bills would be willing to pay the amount necessary to sign him, the Tennessee Titans’ Stephen Tulloch would be an excellent addition. Tulloch has steadily improved over each of his five seasons in the NFL, and has developed into one of the league’s preeminent interior linebackers. With Tulloch in line for a big raise, and the rebuilding Titans focusing on the linebacker position in the draft, it is likely that Tulloch will have a new locale in 2011.
Tulloch has become a tackling machine of sorts, reaching his high-water mark in stops last season with 159. While he isn’t exactly the best coverage linebacker, Tulloch has a good all-around game, and has the ability to get sideline to sideline. At 26 years old, Tulloch is entering his prime and has plenty of excellent years ahead of him.
Due to playing in a low-profile environment in Tennessee, casual fans may not be fully aware of his talent, but NFL general managers certainly are. Signing Tulloch wouldn’t be without risk for the Bills, though, as he would have to make the jump from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. With his athleticism, Tulloch would likely be able to transition without much difficulty. Signing Tulloch may seem like an improbable move for the Bills, but if they’re serious about improving quickly, it would be the smart one to make.
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