The Bills played host to their second free agent defensive lineman in less than a week. Defensive end Dwan Edwards was meeting Buffalo's coaching staff and touring One Bills Drive on Tuesday.
"It's an up and coming organization and they play in a tough division and I kind of like the challenge of that," Edwards told Buffalobills.com. "I had a former teammate in Justin Bannan that played here in Buffalo and he told me a lot of great things about the fans here and I thought it might be a good place for me."
With plans to shift to a 3-4 defensive front in 2010, the Bills have been on the lookout for players with experience in that scheme and Edwards fits the bill.
"It's kind of my specialty and what I'm used to and have been around my whole career," said Edwards. "I have a lot of experience in the 3-4 and I'm capable of playing a lot of positions along the line. I think my versatility could be a huge addition to the Bills."
Edwards (6'3" 290) is a seven-year vet coming off one of his best seasons with Baltimore. After missing the 2008 campaign due to season-ending spinal fusion surgery the defensive end bounced back in 2009 to reclaim his starting role posting a career high 47 tackles, a sack and a pass break up.
"A lot of hard work paid off," said Edwards. "I've gotten better every year I've been with the Ravens. Unfortunately I had the injury in '08, but came back strong and probably had the most productive year of my career. I look forward to continue to grow and improve and be a great addition."
The defensive end position in the 3-4 scheme is one that often receives little recognition as it is not known as a playmaking position, but the blue collar Edwards doesn't seem to mind.
"It's definitely not a glamorous position," he said. "You kind of free up the linebackers to make a lot of plays. It's about setting the edge and being able to hold the point. It's a lot of grinding and a lot of dirty work, but I've kind of been brought up to do that work and not get a lot of credit for it. That's kind of the job you lead when you play there in a 3-4."
The 28-year old has already made free agent visits to Seattle and Denver. He seemed to think he would have signed somewhere already almost two weeks into free agency.
"It's been a little difficult," admitted Edwards. "I kind of knew coming in that some teams might have some issues with my neck. I didn't have any problems at all (last season), but I understand the business side of it and that's the part that has kind of taken it out of my hands."
Edwards said the Bills doctors felt his neck "looked good" following their examination.
