Buffalo Bills: 7 Best Free Agent Signings in Team History
By Ryan Brennan
LB London Fletcher – 2002
It’s unusual for a linebacker to go his entire career without having any issues with injuries, but London Fletcher accomplished that. In fact, Fletcher would become just one of four players in NFL history to never miss a game over his whole career, a career that lasted 256 games.
For that reason, he was an A+ free agent signing.
Fletcher would have a 5-year stay in Buffalo where he played in 80 consecutive games. His consistency over those 5 years are unmatched by many Bills’ players and it’s something Fletcher was able to accomplish throughout his entire career.
In his 16 years, he only finished with under 100 tackles in two of those years — his rookie and second year in the league. In addition, he would only have 2 seasons that fell under 111 tackles.
He originally signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2002 after spending his first four seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He would finish that season with 147 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 stuffs. Over the next four years in Buffalo, he would finish with 133 tackles, 142 tackles, 157 tackles and 146 tackles.
Over that 4-year span, he would also finish with a combined 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions and 24 stuffs.
Fletcher would leave the Buffalo Bills in 2007 when he signed with the Washington Redskins. He would play there for the next 7 years before retiring after the 2013 season. In those 7 years, he would finish with 128, 133, 142, 136, 166, 139 and 111 tackles.
Truly one of the most consistent linebackers in the history of the game.