Coach Marrone Announces Bills Signings, Talks QBs and Patriots

After signing CB Brandon Burton, the Bills brought back a familiar face to join him in the defensive backfield.

Safety Jim Leonhard, who began his career with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2005, playing three years before joining the Baltimore Ravens to become a consistent starter. He then played three years with the rival New York Jets with current Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine before playing most recently with the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints.

“We’re waiting for the physical, but he’s in the building,” said Marrone. “If you guys see him, I don’t want you to say, ‘Well why didn’t you say anything?’ He’s in the building, taking a physical–it’s not official yet.”

With Jairus Byrd dealing with plantar fasciitis, bringing in a veteran presence with knowledge of the system is necessary, especially with the New England Patriots and their passing game coming to Buffalo in just six days. Marrone said that Leonhard’s experience with Pettine was a “bonus”, though how much of one will be determined on Sunday.

Marrone also announced that the team also has brought in defensive back Johnny Adams, offensive lineman Edawn Coughman, running back Ronnie Wingo, to fill the practice squad. Marrone acknowledged that there was still one roster spot available, and that he would like to have it be filled by an offensive lineman, but was leaving it open for any situation.

Marrone said that E.J. Manuel had a full practice, with both he and Jeff Tuel taking first team reps.

“We’re going through a process, nothing right now that seems to slow him down,” said Marrone. “Couple of things that we’re testing as the week goes on to see where he’s at. Mentally we feel fine, it’s just a matter of physically. He went out there and did a nice job, so that’s where he is. We’re not worried because we’re kind of doubling the reps so we’re not getting shortchanged anywhere as go and we’ve had extra reps. We’ll probably have more reps as the first team than we’re going to have during the season. That’s where we are with that.”

The Bills are 2-18 in their last 20 games against the Patriots, and with all the injuries and uncertainty regarding key positions like quarterback and secondary players, it will be an intriguing measurement game. Marrone knows that Buffalo will have to play well to prove themselves against one of the team’s elite.

“They’ve (Patriots) done a great job and they’ve won a lot of football games, said Marrone. “It’s not just against us. I just want to say that I think we all know what a great job they’ve done as a team and that coaching staff. We understand that and it’s a great challenge for us. We’ll be challenged every week in this league. We understand that and that’s the one thing that you kind of have to block out. You have to kind of see that what happens is and it’s a natural reaction to have, is that when you go out there and you see a reaction of the same old Bills.”

“That’s not the case. That’s what part of the stuff obviously that we try to work on, making sure that things are different. There is a lot of change and change is good at times. We’re working on that with the players to make sure that they understand that so you go in there with a breath of fresh air and attack and play. Like I always tell the players, there’s not a lot of great answers except to just go out there, work hard and get on that field.”