Gotta admit, I'm pretty excited about this news. Stroud is going to be 30 at the start of the 2008 season, but the effect that he could have playing next to our protege, McCargo, could be worth bringing in a "veteran". Stay tuned...

3rd rounder for Stroud?  With the ankle/foot and substance abuse, I'm not sure anything more than that would make sense for any team.

I would love a trade like this...

This seems like an even more encouraging sign.

I wonder if they'd take a 4th and conditional 2009 pick? For someone who's only played 20 games in the last two years, it would be safer...

Post anything if you see it...

I think they would have to give up a 4th and 7th or something like that.  Or one of the 3rds straight up.  Not to mention he will want a new contract

 Stroud is a seven-year veteran out of Georgia that was drafted by the Jaguars in the first round of the 2001 draft. He has been extremely durable until last season when he missed five games with an ankle injury. He is a massive defensive lineman that has unusual quickness and agility for such a big guy. He can be disruptive with his quickness from the inside, penetrating gaps and wreaking havoc in the backfield. He has the size and strength to play two gap defense, keeping blockers off his playmaking linebackers. He shows good lateral range and works hard to make plays all over the field. He has good hand use and can defeat and shed blockers in time to make the play when they run right at him. He has a good feel for blocking schemes and rarely gets surprised by a block coming from the side. Due to his size he struggles at times keeping his pad level down but still plays with natural leverage. He could be more consistent on the field as he has a tendency to take a play off now and then. While it would be difficult to call him a finesse player he could be a bit more physical at times. He is a Quality player with all star potential but needs to show it more often.

When he was an assistant coach in Green Bay, he had Gilbert Brown.  In Chicago, he had Keith Traylor and Ted Washington.  And in Detroit he had Shaun Rogers and Dan Wilkenson.

In Jauron's first year in Buffalo, they recruited St. Louis DT Ryan Pickett, but he chose to sign with Green Bay instead.  Then the Bills had to settle for Indianapolis DT Larry Triplett.

I think the desire to have size at DT has always existed, but they have just missed out on opportunities.  Will the Bills finally find a solution at DT?

Here are their breakdowns:

Marcus Stroud
Age (at start of season): 30
Height:  6-6
Weight:  306
contract:  4/14/2005: Signed a five-year, $31.5 million contract. The deal included a $6.5 million signing bonus and contains $12.5 million in total guarantees. 2008: $5 million, 2009: $5.5 million, 2010: $6 million, 2011: Free Agent

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 80 (outstanding player)
Alert: None

Comment: Stroud is a seven-year veteran out of Georgia that was drafted by the Jaguars in the first round of the 2001 draft. He has been extremely durable until last season when he missed five games with an ankle injury. He is a massive defensive lineman that has unusual quickness and agility for such a big guy. He can be disruptive with his quickness from the inside, penetrating gaps and wreaking havoc in the backfield. He has the size and strength to play two gap defense, keeping blockers off his playmaking linebackers. He shows good lateral range and works hard to make plays all over the field. He has good hand use and can defeat and shed blockers in time to make the play when they run right at him. He has a good feel for blocking schemes and rarely gets surprised by a block coming from the side. Due to his size he struggles at times keeping his pad level down but still plays with natural leverage. He could be more consistent on the field as he has a tendency to take a play off now and then. While it would be difficult to call him a finesse player he could be a bit more physical at times. He is a Quality player with all star potential but needs to show it more often.

Shaun Rogers
Age (at start of season): 29
Height:  6-4
Weight:  340
contract:  1/1/2005: Signed a six-year, $43 million contract. The deal included a $15 million signing bonus. 2008: $4.25 million (+ $1 million roster bonus due 3/2), 2009: $5.25 million, 2010: $7 million, 2011: Free Agent

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 80 (outstanding player)

Comment: Rogers has a rare combination of massive size, power and quickness. He is a monster when healthy and playing at full speed. He beats linemen at the point of attack with great snap anticipation, an awesome first step and heavy power. He can get through a gap or engage and shed. He has great body control and a deceptive ability to locate and close on ball carriers in the backfield or down the line. He can break down and make form tackles in space like few interior linemen. He consistently holds the point of attack against frequent double teams, often splitting the blocks to disrupt action in the backfield. He is an outstanding penetrator when blocked one-on-one. His blend of power and explosive athleticism shows on special teams, where he has blocked nine kicks in five seasons. But Rogers is inconsistent and has some health and conditioning issues. He takes some plays off. His weight has fluctuated and occasionally gotten out of hand. He missed 10 games and finished 2006 on injured reserve.

Stroud is the better fit.  If the Bills wanted Rogers we would be hearing more interest and they would have had him in for a visit first.  

Hopefully Stroud takes a physical, signs a deal, and is locked up for 5 years to anchor that D-line.

Getting a Stroud would make our ability to maneuver in the draft so much better without a dying need for a DT.

If they have any conerns about Stroud, look for nothing more to come of this and turn thier attention to Rogers.

I posted this somewhere else, but the Jags have shown interest in Rogers, however they wouldn't be able to trade for him until after the move Stroud (or risk losing a lot of leverage).  Since Rogers is set to get his bonus tonight at midnight, the longer the day moves on without a trade for either the less leverage both the Lions and Jags have (i.e. the better value for teams like the Bills).