Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

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.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

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

Image details: Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots served by picapp.com

Podcasting the National Football League, Podcasting the NFL

The Buffalo Bills were desperate for a win. And despite an overwhelming number of injuries (especially to the defense) and a rookie quarterback at the offensive controls, they had to find a way to beat the New York Jets to get their first victory after four games. They did just that, gutting out a 17-14 win in the final seconds. Bills’ standout defensive end and team captain Chris Kelsay shared his thoughts from the postgame locker room.

Shownotes: David Kindervater (host); Chris Kelsay (NFL player guest)

• 0:27 – Great win for the Bills
• 0:45 – Defensive players don’t want to close the game
• 1:00 – Winning solves problems, boosts morale
• 1:20 – Trent Edwards impressive in his debut
• 1:42 – Bills swarmed the football, stopped the run
• 2:09 – Chris had gut feeling for victory this week
• 2:30 – Team captain Kelsay leads by example
• 3:13 – Defensive injuries difficult to overcome
• 3:45 – Excitement building for Monday Night Football

Links: BuffaloBills.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Interview: Chris Kelsay