And then there were two. Third-round draft choice Alex Carrington signed his rookie contract with the Bills Monday becoming the seventh in a draft class of nine to come to terms. His signing comes just 10 days before training camp opens for Buffalo at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York.
"I'm blessed," Carrington told Buffalobills.com. "My agent, Roosevelt Barnes, did a great job. I wasn't rushing him. I just wanted to get it done before camp obviously. I'm glad we've got it sealed off and glad to be official now."
The defensive end has been hard at work the past few weeks as Buffalo's rookies have been spending time in Buffalo brushing up on their playbooks while staying in shape for training camp. Now having put pen to paper, it's finally hitting Carrington that his NFL career is about to begin.
"This puts things into perspective," he said. "To actually sit down in front of a contract and see the numbers and know you're actually official now, it's a little different feeling. Draft day was great, but this gives me an even bigger smile."
Carrington is eager to get started as he has not put pads on since the Senior Bowl in late January. At the same time he has sought as much input as possible from NFL veterans for what he should expect from an NFL training camp.
"Just talking to vets and just people I know, it's going to be pretty tough, but it's going to be great preparation for the long season," said Carrington. "I've been getting a lot of feedback and advice from the vets. Massages, cold tubs and all that. Stay off your feet, but I can't wait to start clacking again in camp. I can't wait."
During the spring camps Carrington ran mostly with the second team defense at the defensive end position, and is expected to see respectable playing time as a rookie. At 6'5" 295 pounds, Carrington is a prototype end for defensive coordinator George Edwards' 3-4 scheme.
With Carrington's signing, only second-round pick Torell Troup and top pick C.J. Spiller remain unsigned with training camp set to open for the Bills on July 29th.
