BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Bills released defensive lineman Marcus Stroud in a move on Wednesday that freed up salary and playing time for the team’s young and developing players.
Stroud’s departure was not considered a surprise after the 10-year NFL veteran struggled in making the transition in Buffalo’s switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Stroud was scheduled to make $10 million in base salary over the final two years of his contract, including $4.5 million next season.
Stroud also proved expendable after the Bills selected defensive linemen Torell Troup and Alex Carrington in the second and third rounds of the draft last year. Both are expected to compete for additional playing time next season.
The Bills had no comment aside from announcing Stroud’s release.
Stroud is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, who completed his third season in Buffalo after being acquired in a trade with Jacksonville in March 2008.
He showed up to training camp in July leaner in preparing to make the switch from defensive tackle to end in the Bills’ new scheme. However, he struggled along with an entire defense that finished 24th in the NFL in yards allowed and last in yards rushing. The Bills finished 4-12 and opened the season losing their first eight games.
Stroud finished last season with 49 tackles and three sacks _ matching the most he had since 2007 _ in 15 games, including 14 starts. In three seasons with Buffalo, he had 7 1/2 sacks in 46 games.
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