Update [2008-2-29 13:23:1 by Brian Galliford]: Per KFFL, Adam Schefter is reporting that Mitchell's deal is a 5-year contract worth $17.5 million. End Update
Update [2008-2-29 12:9:14 by Brian Galliford]: The Mitchell signing is official, as it's being reported on the official site. End Update
Following the news that Jaguars DT Marcus Stroud will visit the Buffalo Bills today comes a Buffalo News report that the Bills have agreed to terms with Giants LB Kawika Mitchell. The 28-year old Mitchell started all 16 games for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants and is expected, according to the report, to assume strong-side linebacker responsibilities in Buffalo.
The report indicates that Mitchell will be in Buffalo later today to sign his deal. If the suggestion that he'll play strong side is true, it likely means that Angelo Crowell will shift back to the weak side, a position he manned while Takeo Spikes still donned a Bills uniform.
Troupe, Wilford in Buffalo?
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is also reporting that Titans free agent tight end Ben Troupe will visit Buffalo this weekend. That follows rumors, which we've reported on earlier, that Stroud's Jaguars teammate, WR Ernest Wilford, is expected to be in Buffalo over the weekend as well - we're still working on confirming that rumor.
Stay tuned for more Bills news throughout the day; please feel free to use this thread to post more rumors as they come along. If not here, use Kurupt's rumor thread - I'd like to try to keep this site as organized as possible today. :)
Update [2008-2-29 11:42:47 by Brian Galliford]: The Bills are now linked to Chargers CB Drayton Florence, who we've talked about for a few weeks now as a potentially excellent signing.
Update [2008-2-29 14:20:46 by Brian Galliford]: WGR 550 is reporting that the Bills are in talks with the agent of free agent TE Dwayne Blakley, the former backup to Alge Crumpler in Atlanta.
Update [2008-2-29 14:32:19 by Brian Galliford]: Ernest Wilford update: the busy Dolphins, as reported yesterday, are attempting to wrap up a deal with Ernest Wilford. No word yet on whether the Bills have contacted him or not.
Update [2008-2-29 15:13:57 by Brian Galliford]: Jaguars WR Ernest Wilford has signed with the Miami Dolphins. Crap. The Bills need to move quickly if they're going to sign a wideout; we cannot afford to rely on a rookie. I mentioned it yesterday: wideout should have been, and needs to be, priority number one. Look for the team to target D.J. Hackett next.
Update [2008-2-29 15:27:30 by Brian Galliford]: I know many of you were interested in pursuing TE Alge Crumpler, but he's a virtual lock in Seattle.
Update [2008-2-29 15:36:11 by Brian Galliford]: Reports are surfacing on ESPN that the Detroit Lions have traded DT Shaun Rogers to the Cincinnati Bengals. Third and fifth round picks to swing the deal. Link