Bills Acquire Jags DT Marcus Stroud, Sign S. Johnson

by Brian Galliford on Mar 1, 2008 3:55 PM EST in News

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com is reporting that the Buffalo Bills have traded their third and fifth round draft picks in the 2008 draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars for DT Marcus Stroud. The move comes after reports broke last night, via the AP, that a deal was off for the three-time Pro Bowl player.

Stroud, who will be 30 at the start of the '08 season, has missed 11 games over the past two seasons due to injury and steroid-related suspension. At 6'6" and 306 pounds, Stroud will provide an immediate starting upgrade at the 1-technique spot in Buffalo's Cover-2 defense.

Pro Football Talk is reporting that Stroud has re-worked his deal to include more guaranteed money, but his contract is not considered to have a "significant raise". He was due to make $16.5 million over the next three seasons on his current deal, a sum many consider to be the reasoning behind Jacksonville's willingness to shop their star defender.

Stroud's addition, coupled with yesterday's signing of LB Kawika Mitchell, has given the Bills two impact defenders with playoff experience that significantly upgrade the physicality of Buffalo's front seven. Depth is still a concern in this area, but for now, Buffalo's starting lineup in the front seven appears to be set. With these two on board, and with WR Bryant Johnson reportedly in town, the Bills are seemingly not done making splashes, either.

On a personal note, I believe this is probably Buffalo's most exciting addition since the team traded for QB Drew Bledsoe. Our defensive front seven is once again loaded with talent, and if the team can land a situational speed rusher, we'd have the perfect mix of depth up front. While I take a lap and calm myself down enough to breathe, feel free to let your feelings out on this move as well. Oh, and for the record, this story wasn't "broken" by Jay Glazer - Geronimo gets that distinction.

Update [2008-3-1 16:23:45 by Brian Galliford]: The good news just keeps on pouring in, as Rotoworld is now reporting that the Bills have officially signed former Vikings DT Spencer Johnson to a five-year deal. Rumors started to swirl about a potential Johnson signing last night. The 286-pound Johnson played behind Pat and Kevin Williams in Minnesota and was regarded as their "pass rush specialist" inside. He is the ideal fit at the 3-technique in the Cover-2 scheme, and his addition bolsters the Bills' depth inside further. The team now has an elite mix of talent at the position, with Stroud manning the 1-technique, Johnson the 3-technique, and the still-developing John McCargo able to play both. With Kyle Williams as young, experienced depth, the Bills have put together quite the rotation system inside.

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Beat me to it

Love it!

Good pickup. I was actually warming to the idea of swapping 1st's and maybe getting another pick or player.

Oh well, this works too.

Glad that Yahoo article from yesterday was indeed false...

by Kurupt on Mar 1, 2008 4:00 PM EST 0 recs

26th pick

I was just starting to think of all the players that make sense for the Bills to take at 26. Still love the move though.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:01 PM EST up 0 recs

AMAZING

I am happy with this offseason regardless of what else they do.

by kaisertown on Mar 1, 2008 4:06 PM EST 0 recs

PFT

PFT is now reporting that Stroud reworked his deal to give him more guaranteed money from his original deal, but no real significant raise.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:06 PM EST 0 recs

YES

YES! YES! YES!

Thank you Buffalo! What a great move.

The guy is the major force we have needed in the middle since Big Pat left.

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 1, 2008 4:06 PM EST 0 recs

Excellent

Could not be happier about the way the offseason is going so far. We picked up two difference makers on defense that have playoff experience.

by Scotty P on Mar 1, 2008 4:07 PM EST 0 recs

I love this trade but...

Given his injury history and drug suspension, and the fact that there are two openings at DT, I wouldn't rule out taking a DT in the draft, although now it's not as much of a priority.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:09 PM EST 0 recs

No worries

Rotoworld reporting that we just signed DT Spencer Johnson as well! This is all amazing! Playoffs here we come!

CB, DLine in FA WR, WLB in Draft

by poz on Mar 1, 2008 4:22 PM EST up 0 recs

how bout that

very exciting! Biggest offseason move in awhile. kudos to our "GM"

by StuckInNJ on Mar 1, 2008 4:14 PM EST 0 recs

YYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

I am stoked!

I have been worried that between Rogers, Jenkins, and Stroud that the Bills woould come out empty handed. I am so glad they got one of those three players.

I didn't really like the idea of trading down in the first round. I am glad the trade is for a 3 and a 5. I like picking at #11. I want the Bills to get one of the stud cornerbacks (McKelvin or DRC) and I think they will both be gone by pick #15.

With Mitchell, Stroud, and McKelvin/DRC, in addition to what they already have, the Bills could potentially have a very unique and versatile Cover 2 defense that will allow them to do things that other Cover 2 defenses typically can't do.

Any information on which 3rd round pick was traded?

Thanks for the up-to-minute updates! You people rock! This has been a dramatic last couple of days, and it may not be over. Stay tuned!

How good do you want the Bills to be?

by Fort Worth on Mar 1, 2008 4:18 PM EST 0 recs

I take it

this fits with your idea of not settling.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:19 PM EST up 0 recs

Yup

Targeting one of those Seattle defensive tackles (names?) like Detroit is doing right now would be settling.

I had DT ranked #2 on the Bills' needs list. It would be awesome if the Bills are in position to take the BAP's in the draft.

How good do you want the Bills to be?

by Fort Worth on Mar 1, 2008 4:32 PM EST up 0 recs

3rd round picks

doesn't matter much we one we gave up because the picks were back to back. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Bills had picks 71 and 72.

by kaisertown on Mar 1, 2008 7:49 PM EST up 0 recs

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!

We finally did something right in FA!!!! A good player, now a great player, and possibly a solid player to be added this weekend!!!! I wish I was living in Central NY now instead of in Seattle!

So how done was Pat Williams when we let him go Tommie boy??? Stick a fork in him level right?

by WABillsfan on Mar 1, 2008 4:21 PM EST 0 recs

This move

is starting to show up on FoxSports.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7859190/Source:-Jags-trade-Stroud-to-Bill-for-picks

We have our guy!

by RabidBuffalo on Mar 1, 2008 4:21 PM EST 0 recs

WOW

I go to work out to work off some steam after the stress of not landing Stroud or a DT all weekend and now I come to see this! I feel so good. Got a spring in my step.

I love this. I am so glad those reports were false and the front office wasn't breaking off negotiations because he wanted more money. I mean this time of year there is so much SMOKE, and it turns out that was just that.

Now they have bolstered there defense and can work on adding some offensive weaponry if the price is right.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 1, 2008 4:24 PM EST 0 recs

Hey Brian!

Yo Brian, check out the link from the Bills site, they have your report as their link on the story! COngrats man, your officially now on the OBD radar for the web!!!

http://www.buffalobills.com/billsclipstoday/

So how done was Pat Williams when we let him go Tommie boy??? Stick a fork in him level right?

by WABillsfan on Mar 1, 2008 4:30 PM EST 0 recs

That feed

Has liked me for quite some time. I'm very appreciative that they include the stories written on this blog in their feed. :)

Still in shock about this. We have incredible depth at DT, along with youth. What a day.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Mar 1, 2008 4:33 PM EST up 0 recs

After work I'm getting plowed!

To bad the bars are closed when I get off shift at 3am PDT, but thankfully I bought a case of beer just in case the Bills did something good in FA today, and boy did they! I think we got a shot at a Wildcard if we can take some Best Available Players in the draft. And all we need to be able to do that is bring in Johnson or Hackett and Troupe!

So how done was Pat Williams when we let him go Tommie boy??? Stick a fork in him level right?

by WABillsfan on Mar 1, 2008 4:36 PM EST up 0 recs

johnson

does not do a lot for me. He kind of just was a nice little rotational player that leaves a lot to be desired. However, they must think he can fit in the rotation well. I would have prefered to draft a DT, but hey, I guess maybe they still will.

You got to wonder what position they will look to go in the 1st round now? DE/CB/OL?

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 1, 2008 4:31 PM EST 0 recs

A lot to like

There's a lot to like about Johnson. He wasn't going to crack that lineup in Minny often with their two big tackles, but he's an athletic player that can make plays in the backfield. He had nearly as many sacks last year (3) as Tripplett had in his entire Bills career as our 3-tech guy (3.5). This signing makes us younger, more athletic and more impactful at the 3-tech spot. What's not to like?

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Mar 1, 2008 4:34 PM EST up 0 recs

Ha

You beat me to this one, so now we're even. (well for today because you usually beat me every other day)

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:38 PM EST up 0 recs

totally agree

Johnson is probably going to be the 4th DT in the rotation and play exclusively on pass downs. I expect him to perform very well in that capacity.

by kaisertown on Mar 1, 2008 7:52 PM EST up 0 recs

Johnson

Might be better than you are giving him credit for, he played in all 16 games last year, all as a backup because the Vikes have the Williams boys starting, and he still registered 3 sacks. I'm thinking he will help the pass rush from the DT spot on 3rd and longs.

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Mar 1, 2008 4:36 PM EST up 0 recs

Thank God

Now people can calm down and stop throwing the entire front office and organization under the bus. I would've been fine with or without Stroud, as it would've been an indication they loved a DT in the draft if they didn't complete the deal, but if he can stay healthy and clean it will be a great improvement to our defense.

by jmorris0823 on Mar 1, 2008 4:37 PM EST 0 recs

Nicely said...

I completely agree...not sure what has been up with all the complete bashing of the whole organization that has been going on recently.

by fletcherjd on Mar 1, 2008 7:24 PM EST up 0 recs

Well

its just I saw all the vikings games last year and have seen plenty of him. He is a nice story, undrafted guy, found a roster spot in minny and is the "typcial" bills signing. I'm just saying its not like because we have him we have great depth. He is just a guy that play on situation plays. I would not be surprised if the reason they got him is cause of his versatility. He can play end, and lined up at end some in minny. He is a run stuffe first though. YOu gotta remember he was playing next to one of the williams all year who demanded double teams.

I'm not saying I hate it, but its far from anything to get excited about

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 1, 2008 4:43 PM EST 0 recs

well

Considering our fourth DT last year was...Jason Jefferson(?), I would call it an upgrade. Our rotation is basically set, and in the matter of two days DT went from a huge hole to a position of strength. Reminds me of running back at the draft last year, except these players are more projectable than the rookies last year.

by jmorris0823 on Mar 1, 2008 4:48 PM EST up 0 recs

yeah

Jason Jefferson last year and Tim Anderson before him. Johnson is a clear upgrade. He should have the advantage of plating next to McCargo on pass downs this season.

by kaisertown on Mar 1, 2008 7:55 PM EST up 0 recs

And

we probably need to draft a DT as well with Stroud's injujry histroy since 2006.

I'm just so thankful we got a DT. I'm guessing out of all the DT's signed ours is the "nicest."

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Mar 1, 2008 4:46 PM EST 0 recs

Just give me...

...Bryant Johnson and I will be in NFL heaven.

by nickfeely8 on Mar 1, 2008 4:55 PM EST 0 recs

Great day/days

it has been great and exciting to see the Bills get Mitchell, Stroud and Johnson. Really completes the D. Now if they could get Bryant Johnson as a WR they would have their pick at best available in the draft. DT, DE, CB, WR and TE and then draft depth in the O line. Who cares that we gave up a 3rd and 5th we had extra. We still can move up or down depending on "best available". What a great situatiion to be in. However, only if they can aquire a good threat WR.

by btk0930 on Mar 1, 2008 5:26 PM EST 0 recs

I Love this

Great move Bills, that D is looking ALOT better I love this. Stroud is a beast!

Playoff Bound in '08!

by SP on Mar 1, 2008 5:37 PM EST 0 recs

CAP SPACE

I am wondering now what the terms were for the Stroud deal?

I would also like to know what kind of space we have left under our "Cash to Cap" philosophy?

Do we have enough money to extend Evans and Crowell?

IMO, if we did nothing else this offseason, we would be fine. We could take a WR, TE and DE/CB in the first three rounds and fill all our needs. I just want to make sure we have cap space this offseason or next offseason to extend Crowell and Evans. It does us no good to sign Bryant Johnson this year just to have Evans leave next year. Same goes for Crowell... if we are seriously looking to build a contender, we need to make sure we keep the high quality players that have been in the system.

by hilliarddavid on Mar 1, 2008 5:39 PM EST 0 recs

no your wrong

even if Evans were to leave next year, Johnson would be a great addition especially if they draft a 2nd or 3rd. That would actually not necessarily be a bad thing. I like the insight as far as Evans departing, it is a definite possibility if not this year, but next is even shakier.

by btk0930 on Mar 1, 2008 5:58 PM EST 0 recs