Bills sign Gilmore, Williams to extensions

by John Tatanka

Blogger, Buffalo News

Coach Winuvas and his front office staff wasted little time on working up deals for players they felt worth keeping around for the Bills' turnaround, inking defensive backs Stephon Gilmore and Duke Williams to long-term extensions that will keep them around in Buffalo blue for a few more years.

Gilmore, 25, signed a 5 year extension worth about 36 million dollars ,with over 12 million in signing bonus.

"He's a shutdown corner," Coach Winuvas said of Gilmore. "He'll be a focal point on this defense as we get the front seven situated."

Williams, 25, signed a 4 year extension worth almost 5.5 million dollars. While currently playing third safety behind veteran Corey Graham and converted cornerback Aaron Williams, Coach Winuvas sees bright things in the future for Duke.

"Duke (Williams) will be our starting strong safety sooner rather than later. Why not get him bought into our scheme and get ready for him to take over?"

Still on the resign wish list is wide receiver Robert Woods. Contract talks are still underway and as soon as I can if any deal gets done.

In the meantime, sources say that Coach Winuvas is in doubt as to what defensive scheme to use next season. For now, he is using 4-3 techniques, but rumblings are that he would love to use a 3-4 if possible with defensive end/outside linebacker Jerry Hughes and big defensive tackle Marcel Dareus. However it happens, though, Coach Winuvas will still need to work on the offense to get it rolling.