Bills Get Marcus Stroud in Trade With Jags, Free Agent Spencer Johnson Also Added

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The Buffalo Bills fulfilled more of their defensive needs today by acquiring former Jacksonville Jaguars DT and three-time Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud in exchange for their 3rd and 5th round Draft picks this year.

While I like what Marcus brings to the Bills as a potential double-team magnet, I’m not sure sacrificing two Draft picks was such a good idea when you consider his age, physical condition and recent suspension. Marcus will be 30 years old when the 2008 season starts and he’s coming off a troubled 2007 that he finished on IR. He missed the final three games after re-injuring his surgically repaired right ankle, the same injury that hampered him at the end of the ‘06 season. He also served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He acknowledged taking supplements to help recover from the ankle operation. While it seemed like an honest mistake, the only real answer with supplements is to take the product in question to your team doctor for an official ok before using it.

If Marcus can stay healthy and out of trouble (yes, taking banned substances counts as being in trouble), he’ll be a force in the middle of the Bills’ D-line that should enable defensive ends Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay to flourish. If the Bills played their cards right, that’s exactly what will happen.

In addition to Marcus, the Bills added former Minnesota Vikings DT Spencer Johnson with a five-year deal. Spencer was not really a standout for the Vikes (he played behind Pat and Kevin Williams), but he did manage to play in every game last season, recording 24 tackles and three sacks. If nothing else, he learned the position from two of the best. The Bills will also rotate John McCargo (probably the starter opposite Marcus) and Kyle Williams.