Widely viewed as the most important of Buffalo's unrestricted free agents, safety Bryan Scott and the Bills agreed to terms on a new contract less than 24 hours after free agency opened Friday.
Scott was coming off his best season in a Bills uniform, finishing third on the team in tackles while also contributing a pair of sacks and an interception. Perhaps most impressive was the safety's midseason position switch to linebacker, when injuries decimated Buffalo's linebacking corps.
The seven-year veteran did miss seven games last season due to injury, including five in the middle of the season due to a severe high ankle sprain, but when Scott was on the field he was productive with a pair of 10 tackles games to match a career high as just one example in 2009.
Scott is expected to compete for the starting strong safety job with restricted free agent George Wilson, who was tendered by the club Thursday. Wilson stepped in for Scott last season when he was out with a high ankle sprain and held onto the job while Scott transitioned to linebacker.
It's unclear if Donte Whitner will be a part of that competition as it's unknown as to whether the new coaching staff sees him as more of a strong or free safety.
