What is going on at One Bills Drive?
In an offseason already full of shocking joy in Western New York, the Bills pulled another free agent coup today, signing DE Mark Anderson from the Patriots. Anderson is coming off a 10-sack season for New England – a number he recorded despite only playing in a rotational role.
Prior to that, Anderson has spent time with the Texans and Bears, having his best season sack-wise as a rookie in 2006 with 12 sacks. He didn’t put up huge numbers in between his rookie season and last season, not topping five sacks in any other season.
Per Adam Schefter, Anderson’s contract is a four-year deal worth $27.5 million, with $8 million guaranteed.
“I want to thank God for this opportunity,” said Anderson. “I’m thankful for Mr. Wilson for giving me the opportunity to play for this great organization. It’s a great college-like atmosphere. The fans are great and the coaches are great. They’ve given me a great opportunity. I’m very thankful and very happy right now and no words can express how I’m feeling.”
Bills GM Buddy Nix was very pleased to have landed Anderson. “We got ourselves a new pass rusher to add to our defense and it really is a big deal for us and an exciting time. We feel he’ll make us a lot better,” said Nix. “He’s had a lot of visits and a lot of offers and I think he made his choice because he wants to put his hand on the ground and rush the passer and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Coach Chan Gailey was also thrilled: “He’s got some speed and quickness off the edge, which is hard to find,” said Gailey. “He has savvy about his play. You could see him continue to get better this past year. He was tough to block for us.”
I can’t express how happy I am about this signing – Anderson was a guy I wanted the Bills to target before I even considered Mario Williams as a possibility. To get both of them? Unbelievable. You have to give Mr. Wilson and Nix a ton of credit – they have attacked the team’s biggest weakness (pass rush) head on. Consider the Buffalo defensive line now: Mario Williams and Anderson at the ends, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus at the tackles, Shawne Merriman and Chris Kelsay as rotational pass rushers. That’s a defensive line right there.
Tom Brady, Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow, and whoever the Dolphins throw out there: The Bills are coming for you.
How pumped are you to see this Bills pass rush in 2012?