The Bills roster is quickly becoming a revolving door as the club continues to look for better performance at a host of positions. Already with changes at quarterback, punter and guard Buffalo made roster changes at linebacker and cornerback by signing LB Ty Powell and activating CB Brandon Smith off the Practice Squad.
The club signed Powell off the New York Giants practice squad Tuesday. Powell (6-3, 250) is a former seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks this past spring. Powell is a versatile athlete having played defensive end, linebacker and safety for Harding in college. He was also one of the most explosive athletes at his position group at the NFL Combine. He had one of the best vertical leaps (37") and best three-cone drill times (6.98). He also ran a 4.6 40-time and had 28 reps on the bench press. Powell could prove to be an instant impact special teams player. He blocked a school-record four kicks in college.
Smith has been on the team's practice squad since September 10. Smith joined the Bills after being released by the Green Bay Packers on September 1st. The 6-1, 205-pound Arizona State product entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2011. He was released by Carolina on August 6, 2011 and had a training camp stint with the Seattle Seahawks before being released prior to the regular season. Smith played in 25 games (four starts) at Arizona State.
To make room on the roster for Powell and Smith, the Bills released LB Marcus Dowtin and CB Johnny Adams.
