When the Buffalo Bills lost linebacker Paul Posluszny to the Jacksonville Jaguars, they lost their only inside linebacker with any semblance of coverage ability. That's what Bills head coach Chan Gailey believes the team has recovered with the addition of free agent inside linebacker Nick Barnett.
"He's more of an inside linebacker. He's a good coverage guy, good coverage skills," Gailey told reporters after Sunday night's training camp practice. "Has called a defense before, has played a couple of spots, he hasn't just played one spot. He gives you some versatility and some coverage ability."
Asked if he viewed Barnett as a three-down linebacker, Gailey answered in the affirmative. That's going to be important for Buffalo's defense, because no matter what personnel package they're in or what coverage is called, they're going to need an inside 'backer on the field essentially at all times. That's what they lost in Posluszny, and that's what they hope they've gained in Barnett.
Barnett, by the way, will be donning No. 50 for the Bills, a number that was given to him by rookie Chris White (who will switch to Aaron Schobel's old No. 94).