Improving Bills add depth in free agency

By Shawn Krest

The Buffalo Bills had plenty of gaping holes at season’s end. They were able to fill most of them in the first month of free agency, which is impressive. Just as big an accomplishment is the fact that the team also managed to address many of the less pressing roster needs.

Much has been made of the splash the Bills made at the start of free agency. Within a few weeks, the team had addressed needs at defensive tackle and linebacker, bringing in Sam Adams, Takeo Spikes, and Jeff Posey. These upgrades, at the areas of biggest need on last year’s 8-8 squad, may just be enough to put the team into the playoffs.

The names may not be as big, but the position upgrades and depth Buffalo has added recently may be just as crucial to the 2003 Bills’ success. New kickers, third receivers and backup safeties won’t earn many offseason headlines, but they might be the difference between making the playoffs and hosting a game.

Just look at the 2002 Bills for proof. Drew Bledsoe and London Fletcher were the big offseason acquisitions, and Mike Williams was the star draft pick. There’s no doubt of the trio’s significant contribution to last season’s turnaround. But where would the team have been without lesser known (at the time) draft picks Josh Reed and Coy Wire, who played third receiver and starting safety for most of the season. Free agent Trey Teague added valuable leadership to the offensive line and Mike Hollis gave the team a dependable kicker. Even Dave Moore, an afterthought signing at tight end, contributed a few touchdowns and key catches.

Some of the recent signings will allow the Bills to target a first-round bye, instead of just a playoff berth, when making their list of 2003 goals:

Bobby Shaw, wide receiver:

The question isn’t whether the former Steeler and Jaguar is better than Josh Reed, although Shaw did have more catches and yards last season. The question is whether he’s better than Charles Johnson, who he’ll be replacing on third downs, even if Shaw doesn’t unseat Reed. With three productive receivers and Johnson as a fourth, the position is no longer a must on day one of the draft, allowing the team to target the mythical "best available player" in each round.

Izell Reese, safety:

With 30 career starts, seven interceptions, and three-and-a-half sacks in five years, the former Bronco and Cowboy will add depth and experience to the safety position, and should be a huge upgrade over Billy Jenkins backing up either Coy Wire or Pierson Priouleau.

Sam Gash, fullback:

With Gash hitting people in the mouth, Travis Henry becomes a Pro Bowl starter. Henry’s fumbles may even decrease, since defenders will be too busy clearing cobwebs to try to strip the ball. Gash is no Larry Centers, but he is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Philip Crosby should have a Ph.D. in fullbacking in another year or two. After two years learning from the ultra-professional Centers, future Hall of Famer, Crosby, now gets an apprenticeship under All Madden teamer Gash.

Rian Lindell, kicker:

As big an upgrade as Mike Hollis was over the parade of rookies the Bills had in 2001, he wasn’t the long-term answer. Lindell is five years younger, which will show up most visibly on kickoffs. If he’d had to back up a few more yards, maybe the Bills would have caught Chad Morton at least once in last season’s opener.

Keith McKenzie, defensive end:

"Big Mac" is listed as an end but plays more like a tackle. He’s always around the ball, as his four career touchdowns demonstrate. He’s only played a total of 15 games the last two years, but is still a better choice in the d-line’s rotation than a lot of the players we saw last year. The over/under for games played in a successful 2003 is 12—the same number as Peerless Price, who the Falcons may find is too brittle to be a number-one receiver.

Not all of the signees will have an impact. For every Trey Teague, who succeeded, there’s an Eddie Robinson, who didn’t. But a few big plays from Shaw, Reese, Gash, Lindell and McKenzie will help determine the Bills’ success next season.

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