After parting ways with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills are using the second day of free agency to add depth on defense.
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Buffalo signed veteran linebacker Manny Lawson, the team announced Wednesday.
"The last 24 hours have been a blast," Lawson told the team's official website. "Just talking to the guys and getting a feel for the organization. I'm happy to be here and I expect a lot of things. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. I think we're going to put a show on for the fans out here in Buffalo. I'm just ready to kick the season off."
Lawson spent the past two years as a strong-side linebacker in Cincinnati and started 10 games for an emerging Bengals defense last season. Lawson didn't play up to his $2.1 million salary in 2012, playing roughly a third of the team's snaps and registering a career-low 44 tackles. With Vontaze Burfict and Emmanuel Lamur in the house, 28-year-old Lawson became expendable to the Bengals.
Under new Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Lawson will compete with Nigel Bradham and Chris White for playing time alongside Bryan Scott and Kelvin Sheppard. It's not a particularly strong group, meaning Lawson might see more playing time in Buffalo than he did in Cincinnati.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
