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The Bills recently re-signed Bryan Scott to join Kelvin Sheppard, Nigel Bradham and Arthur Moats as the players under contract at linebacker. That group of linebackers, however, severely needs an infusion of more talent and experience.
When Buffalo and the rest of the National Football League enters the free agency period on Tuesday, March 12 at 4 pm, that very position could be addressed.
And if both parties are interested, Bryan Scott may not be the only 'B. Scott' on the Bills' roster in 2013.
Here is a case both for, and against inside linebacker Bart Scott:
The Case For Bart Scott
It's no secret as to why Bart Scott would be a fit in Buffalo. Yesterday, I wrote about how Jim Leonhard could be a valuable person to bring in for his knowledge of the new defensive system, especially in the transitional phase.
With Scott, you can almost multiply that experience by three. Scott has spent 11 seasons perfecting the philosophies of the many defensive coaches that have come out of Baltimore. He spent his first seven seasons with the Ravens, starting his last four.
Once Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine bolted for the New York Jets, Scott was their key defensive signing in 2009. With the Jets, he started all but four games over his four seasons.
Now as a free agent, Scott could infinitely help the Bills at a position of need to help bring along the young Sheppard and Bradham. Also, at 32, Scott's high cap number days are now behind him. He could likely be had for a very manageable price, which could be music to the Bills' ears.
Scott has been a part of top defenses for his entire career, and if the Bills were to sign him, they'd hope he could bring that experience to a struggling unit.
The Case Against Bart Scott
Piggybacking off of that last point, Bart Scott is 32 years old. In most cases with linebackers, age catches up with them quickly. There are always exceptions to the rule, but in today's NFL where the tight ends are getting bigger and faster, the older linebackers are getting left in the dust both literally and figuratively.
Scott's lack of production this past season was one of a number of story lines to come out of New York this season. He had his worst statistical season since 2004, registering only 60 tackles.
Like Leonhard, his age could make him in to a liability on the field at a position that has produced average to below average play over the past three seasons.
It's also fair to note that when things weren't going well in New York last year, Scott attempted to get his teammates to boycott the media that covers the team. He took shots at fans that jeered the team. All in all, he's not afraid to voice his opinion. That may be something that turns the Bills off.
Will They or Won't They?
The Bills top focus with this free agent period needs to be on making the defense better in a transitional year. Even though Bart Scott has his negatives, I would expect his relationship with Mike Pettine and knowledge of the defense could help overcome those hangups if Buffalo misses out on some of the bigger linebacker names in free agency. If they do, I would expect at the very least that the Bills look in to bringing in Scott for what little he might cost.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia