Of all of the positions we expected the Buffalo Bills to look to address in free agency, wide receiver wasn't among them. It comes as a surprise, then, that Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com is reporting that the Bills are making a "strong push" to sign free agent all-purpose threat Brad Smith of the New York Jets.
Smith is a 6'2", 212-pound wide receiver by trade, but was a star in New York because of his nearly unparalleled versatility. A college quarterback at Missouri, Smith is a capable receiver, can operate out of the shotgun and be a passing threat, and is also an excellent kick returner.
The Chicago Bears were the rumored front-runners for Smith's services on Wednesday, but there are indications that the Bills could now be in the lead. This move by Buffalo would open up highly intriguing offensive possibilities for the ever-creative Chan Gailey; Smith could be a Slash-like weapon in Buffalo, a la Kordell Stewart, whose career was made by Gailey's innovation in Pittsburgh. We mentioned yesterday that the signing of backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen signaled a move to a spread offense; this would virtually cement that, and possibly mean that more Pistol offense is on the way.
Stay tuned - again, this would be surprising.