For the second time this week, the Bills hosted a pair of free agents. On Tuesday two offensive players were at One Bills Drive in Fred Taylor and Kelley Washington. Two days later a pair of defensive veterans were on hand in cornerback Drayton Florence and linebacker Jamie Winborn.
Florence (6'0" 195) was a big ticket free agent last offseason, and was ultimately signed by Jacksonville to a lucrative long-term contract. The Jaguars however, proved not to be a fit for Florence. A three-year starter for the San Diego Chargers prior to his arrival in Jacksonville, Florence made just eight starts for Jack Del Rio's club in the first and last quarters of the 2008 regular season.
As a result his production suffered. In San Diego Florence made strides in his game each and every season becoming a full-time starter as a third-year player for the Chargers. San Diego's former second-round pick (2003) had two of his best seasons in 2006 and 2007 recording over 120 tackles, 23 pass breakups and five interceptions.
Florence also had a pair of interceptions in the 2007 postseason with one sealing a Wild Card victory over Tennessee for the Chargers and the other coming against New England's Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game.
The Tuskegee University product has NFL experience at both outside corner and nickel so his versatility would be a welcome addition to Buffalo's defense.
He was also born in the same hometown as Bills former first-round pick and fellow cornerback Leodis McKelvin (Waycross, GA). Florence will turn 29 near the end of the 2009 season.
Linebacker Jamie Winborn (5'11" 230) is an eight-year NFL veteran that is coming off a career season in 2008. Making 14 starts for the Denver Broncos last season after replacing Boss Bailey at strong side linebacker, Winborn led the team in tackles (117) and pass breakups (11). He also had a half sack.
Prior to that Winborn had been a valuable special teams player with the Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The linebacker began his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers where his development was hindered by injuries before spending half a season with Jacksonville in 2005. His best season with the 49ers came in 2004 when he made 10 starts had 61 tackles, four and a half sacks and an interception.
Winborn turns 30 in May.
