Buffalo Bills Sign WR David Clowney, LB Scott McKillop, Per Reports

But I know nothing of this McKillop dude. Ill have to look some stuff up on him. Hes young at least, some upside?

If Buffalo moves to the 4-3 on a more permanent basis next season, of the players currently under contract, only Sheppard, Barnett, and Chris White would seem to project to linebacker. I would assume Kelsay, Merriman, Moats, Batten, and Eddins would have to transition back to defensive end or be released. Even with just a futures contract in hand, a player like McKillop would seem to have an excellent opportunity to earn reps in the offseason and claim a spot given the lack of numbers. In any event, looking at these names, it’s clear that the linebacker position is a gaping hole as its stands whether the team switches or continues to mix in a lot of 3-4.

I have been wondering about the roster, and what the cap on players is at this time of the year? Is it 80? When do IR players get added back into that number, bc if they are counted we are real close. Can any one give a overview of how this works at this time of the year.

Not allá that excited about Clouney but McKillop sounds like he could have a future.

I watched Clowney a lot when he was with the Jets and he definitely has the speed to be a deep threat. The problem with him was that his hands were inconsistent when he would get open deep. A second problem could be his route-running: the Jets only seemed to use him on deep routes, never any short or intermediate routes, so I don’t know how well he can run those kinds of routes (a big factor for Gailley with Evans).

Clowney is no replacement for Stevie Johnson, but, if he has improved his hands and is able to run the intermediate routes that Gailley will expect him to run, Clowney could compete with Donald Jones and Marcus Easley for the “speed” receiver spot opposite Stevie (if the Bills bring him back) and David Nelson (whose production suffered a lot after Jones was injured). I know that there were Jets fans who thought that the Jets should have played Clowney more because of his ability to get open deep before he left the team.

At the very least, having played for the Jets’ very good special teams, Clowney could end up being a solid replacement for Ruvell Martin. Clowney was a contributor on special teams for the Jets and he’s faster—and his hands weren’t any worse than Martin’s.

So, depending on whether Clowney has improved his hands and route-running, this could turn out to be a very nice signing. At the very least, I think Clowney could be a decent replacement for Ruvell Martin. Either way, a possible upgrade for the Bills.

As far as McKillop goes, he was a real “effort” guy in college. Not the fastest, but a guy who made a lot of plays because of his effort. Depending on how well he is able to come back from his injuries, McKillop could push White as the replacement for Andra Davis (who appears to finally be completely “over-the-hill”). And, he’s also a guy who can contribute on special teams, where the Bills have taken a big step back the last couple of seasons. A lot will depend on whether he is completely recovered from his injuries, though.

For the past several seasons the Bills have been decimated with a rash of players going on IR during the course of the season. Ralph Wilson even complained about it. However, why does the FO continue to sign players with a history of injuries, severe in nature? You want durability but you don’t buy it.. It’s like buying at auction a used 2010 vehicle that’s been in a major accident and repaired. It’s a big gamble and the odds are not on your side. I’ve always been a huge supporter of Roscoe but he’s always injured. IMO it’s the real reason Eagles are hesitant about resigning DeSean, a dynamic player but high potential for injury. Taking emotions out of the equation (because I do love cars), if my car is repeatedly in the shop for repairs i would have to start looking for a replacement because I’m not getting my moneys worth out of it sitting in a shop. My philosophy has always been that I never buy a car with a rebuilt engine, transmission or frame.

However, I do understand in football you do sometimes take a chance on a guy. My overall point is the FO is doing it too often. Getting no value from money spent, yet we keep picking up guys with serious previous injuries and we continue to be among the leaders in the NFL with guys on IR.