The Bills may have had 90 players on their roster, but it didn't keeping them from looking to free agency for upgrades. Buffalo signed veteran free agent FB John Conner, who was last with the New York Jets.
Conner, 27, visited with coaches at One Bills Drive Tuesday and signed Wednesday morning. A five-year veteran, Conner began his NFL career under Bills head coach Rex Ryan with the Jets in 2010, but he was not re-signed by New York after the 2012 campaign. After short stints with the Bengals and Giants, Conner, 27, returned to the Jets in 2014.
"I like to play the game physical," said Conner. "I try to be the most physical player on the field and enforce my will on the other team. I think that's how the game should be played. A lot of people call me an old school fullback."
Bills GM Doug Whaley is always seeking to increase the level of competition on Buffalo's roster and Conner will do just that. A bruising fullback with special teams abilities, Conner (5-11, 247) is seen as quality competition for the likes of fullbacks Jerome Felton, who is already on the Buffalo roster. He is also likely to be another valuable addition for the Bills ever growing list of quality special teams players.
"Jerome is a great fullback," Conner said. "I had a chance to talk with him today. We're both really excited. We signed two fullbacks so it looks like we're going to run the ball a little bit. We're both going to go out there and work hard and see what happens in camp."
Conner was given the nickname 'The Terminator' by Rex Ryan during his first stint with the Jets at the beginning of his career. The Kentucky product has 20 career rushes for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He posted his first career receiving touchdown last season.
To make room for Conner on the roster, the Bills waived FB Corey Knox.
