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Lawyer Milloy picked the right team to join if he wanted to get back at the New England Patriots for cutting him.
The four-time Pro Bowl safety agreed in principle to a deal with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, a day after the Patriots released him for salary cap reasons.
Not only does Milloy join an AFC East Division rival, but he raised the possibility of facing his former team when the Bills open the regular season at home against the Patriots on Sunday.
There was already intrigue in a game that already featured quarterback Drew Bledsoe, another former Patriots star, in his second season with Buffalo.
Milloy reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $15 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.
He was scheduled to join the Bills for his first practice Thursday.
Coach Gregg Williams said he would have to first speak with Milloy before determining whether he would be ready to play this weekend.
Besides significantly upgrading a young Buffalo defensive backfield, Milloy could provide insight into the Patriots' plans as the Bills prepare for New England.
Milloy was released because the Patriots failed to renegotiate his contract, and couldn't afford a salary that, including bonus, was going to count more than $5.25 million against the cap.
In an interview with Houston's KRIV-TV, Milloy expressed his unhappiness toward the Patriots.
"The way the Patriots tried to back me into a corner. It didn't show a lot on their part,'' Milloy said. "New England tried to squeeze me with a last-minute deal, so we took a risk and went on the market.''
And Milloy was impressed by how the Bills, including Bledsoe and Sam Gash, another former Patriots teammate, recruited him.
"Buffalo was the team that set the market, set the tone,'' he said. "Drew Bledsoe called me. Sam Gash called me. They got everybody on the phone that they needed to early in the process.''
The Bills, projected to have $4 million of room under the cap, were one of a handful of team that had made offers to sign the player.
The Bills were excited even before the move was announced two hours following the end of practice.
"Lawyer knows just about any defense,'' receiver Eric Moulds said. "The guy's extremely smart. He knows exactly what's happening before it happens, so I think he'll be a great asset.''
Milloy led the Patriots in tackles in 2001, when New England won the Super Bowl, and recorded 100 or more tackles five times. Last year he had no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. His 91 tackles were the fewest he'd tallied since becoming a full-time starter.
He's the latest member of a revamped Bills defense that was bolstered last spring by the additions of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and tackle Sam Adams. Together, they improve a unit that gave up 25 points a game, and managed a league-low 19 turnovers and 31 sacks.
Buffalo's current starters at safety are Coy Wire, who's coming off an encouraging rookie season, and Pierson Prioleau, a four-year veteran who was a first-time starter last season. Neither recorded an interception last year.
Bills cornerback Antoine Winfield shook his head, wondering how the Patriots could cut a player of Milloy's caliber.
"I really don't understand why they did that,'' Winfield said. "He's a heck of a player. I understand the salary cap and all that, but at least they could've traded him and got something for him. But that's what the Patriots do. I can't question them.''
Bledsoe had high praise for Milloy, having spent six seasons with the player in New England.
"I will tell you this that everybody that plays against Lawyer is aware of where he is and aware of his ability to make big plays,'' Bledsoe said. "As far as his speed, his aggressiveness, his physical style, I haven't seen a falloff at all.''
Wire welcomed the chance of the Bills landing Milloy, even if it meant Wire losing his starting job.
"Any time you can have a guy like that come in and help your defense, you're excited about it,'' Wire said. "This is a team game.''
The four-time Pro Bowl safety agreed in principle to a deal with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, a day after the Patriots released him for salary cap reasons.
Not only does Milloy join an AFC East Division rival, but he raised the possibility of facing his former team when the Bills open the regular season at home against the Patriots on Sunday.
There was already intrigue in a game that already featured quarterback Drew Bledsoe, another former Patriots star, in his second season with Buffalo.
Milloy reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $15 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.
He was scheduled to join the Bills for his first practice Thursday.
Coach Gregg Williams said he would have to first speak with Milloy before determining whether he would be ready to play this weekend.
Besides significantly upgrading a young Buffalo defensive backfield, Milloy could provide insight into the Patriots' plans as the Bills prepare for New England.
Milloy was released because the Patriots failed to renegotiate his contract, and couldn't afford a salary that, including bonus, was going to count more than $5.25 million against the cap.
In an interview with Houston's KRIV-TV, Milloy expressed his unhappiness toward the Patriots.
"The way the Patriots tried to back me into a corner. It didn't show a lot on their part,'' Milloy said. "New England tried to squeeze me with a last-minute deal, so we took a risk and went on the market.''
And Milloy was impressed by how the Bills, including Bledsoe and Sam Gash, another former Patriots teammate, recruited him.
"Buffalo was the team that set the market, set the tone,'' he said. "Drew Bledsoe called me. Sam Gash called me. They got everybody on the phone that they needed to early in the process.''
The Bills, projected to have $4 million of room under the cap, were one of a handful of team that had made offers to sign the player.
The Bills were excited even before the move was announced two hours following the end of practice.
"Lawyer knows just about any defense,'' receiver Eric Moulds said. "The guy's extremely smart. He knows exactly what's happening before it happens, so I think he'll be a great asset.''
Milloy led the Patriots in tackles in 2001, when New England won the Super Bowl, and recorded 100 or more tackles five times. Last year he had no sacks, no forced fumbles and no interceptions. His 91 tackles were the fewest he'd tallied since becoming a full-time starter.
He's the latest member of a revamped Bills defense that was bolstered last spring by the additions of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey and tackle Sam Adams. Together, they improve a unit that gave up 25 points a game, and managed a league-low 19 turnovers and 31 sacks.
Buffalo's current starters at safety are Coy Wire, who's coming off an encouraging rookie season, and Pierson Prioleau, a four-year veteran who was a first-time starter last season. Neither recorded an interception last year.
Bills cornerback Antoine Winfield shook his head, wondering how the Patriots could cut a player of Milloy's caliber.
"I really don't understand why they did that,'' Winfield said. "He's a heck of a player. I understand the salary cap and all that, but at least they could've traded him and got something for him. But that's what the Patriots do. I can't question them.''
Bledsoe had high praise for Milloy, having spent six seasons with the player in New England.
"I will tell you this that everybody that plays against Lawyer is aware of where he is and aware of his ability to make big plays,'' Bledsoe said. "As far as his speed, his aggressiveness, his physical style, I haven't seen a falloff at all.''
Wire welcomed the chance of the Bills landing Milloy, even if it meant Wire losing his starting job.
"Any time you can have a guy like that come in and help your defense, you're excited about it,'' Wire said. "This is a team game.''