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By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) … Former All-Pro linebacker Jason
Gildon arrived in Buffalo on Monday to meet with the Bills, a
team needing to bolster its pass rush.
Gildon's agent Peter Schaffer said his client's visit is
scheduled to last through Tuesday. The Bills are an attractive
stop for Gildon, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers
for salary-cap reasons two weeks ago, Schaffer said.
Bills president Tom Donahoe and new coach Mike Mularkey both
have Pittsburgh connections, with Donahoe serving as the
Steelers' director of football operations when Gildon was
drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 1994 draft.
Mularkey had spent eight years as a coach with the Steelers.
Gildon, who turns 32 next month, spent 10 years in
Pittsburgh, where he set a record with 77 career sacks while
missing only two games.
Donahoe was unavailable for comment, but last week wondered whether Gildon would be a good fit in Buffalo. Gildon was used mostly in a system that used three lineman and four
linebackers. The Bills currently have a 4-3 system and all
three starting linebackers are returning.
Buffalo's most pressing defensive need is an experienced end
to play the left side and complement right-side end Aaron
Schobel, who led the team with 11“ sacks last season.
Gildon is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who's production has
tailed off the last two years. After registering 13“ sacks in
2000 and 12 in 2001, he combined for just 15 in the past two
seasons. That included just six last season, his fewest since
1997.
Gildon has already visited Green Bay while Chicago and
Cincinnati have expressed interest in him, Schaffer said.
AP Sports Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) … Former All-Pro linebacker Jason
Gildon arrived in Buffalo on Monday to meet with the Bills, a
team needing to bolster its pass rush.
Gildon's agent Peter Schaffer said his client's visit is
scheduled to last through Tuesday. The Bills are an attractive
stop for Gildon, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers
for salary-cap reasons two weeks ago, Schaffer said.
Bills president Tom Donahoe and new coach Mike Mularkey both
have Pittsburgh connections, with Donahoe serving as the
Steelers' director of football operations when Gildon was
drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 1994 draft.
Mularkey had spent eight years as a coach with the Steelers.
Gildon, who turns 32 next month, spent 10 years in
Pittsburgh, where he set a record with 77 career sacks while
missing only two games.
Donahoe was unavailable for comment, but last week wondered whether Gildon would be a good fit in Buffalo. Gildon was used mostly in a system that used three lineman and four
linebackers. The Bills currently have a 4-3 system and all
three starting linebackers are returning.
Buffalo's most pressing defensive need is an experienced end
to play the left side and complement right-side end Aaron
Schobel, who led the team with 11“ sacks last season.
Gildon is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who's production has
tailed off the last two years. After registering 13“ sacks in
2000 and 12 in 2001, he combined for just 15 in the past two
seasons. That included just six last season, his fewest since
1997.
Gildon has already visited Green Bay while Chicago and
Cincinnati have expressed interest in him, Schaffer said.
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