Buffalo Bills: Alex Carrington Aiming to Make Up for Lost Time

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If the Buffalo Bills are going to end their 15-year playoff drought in 2015, the defense will likely lead the way. Last season, they ranked third in the NFL in pass defense, while finishing fourth in overall defense and points allowed.

One player hoping to help the Bills at least maintain this standard is Alex Carrington, who signed a one-year $825,00 contract with the team earlier this month. The 27-year old is returning to Western New York after spending one season with the St. Louis Rams.

It’s fair to say Carrington’s one year in Missouri was a bit of a disaster. He only managed one tackle in eight games for the Rams, none as a starter.

However, now he gets to start over in the city where he played four seasons, after being drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. The Bills decided to bring back the Tupelo, Mississippi native, after not selecting any defensive lineman in this year’s draft.

In many respects, it’s now a case of making up for lost time in Buffalo. The 2008 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year started the 2013 campaign in fine form for the Bills, after enjoying a tremendous training camp.

Aug 29, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Alex Carrington (92) on the sideline during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Lions won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, Carrington injured himself in week three and was lost for the season. As he told Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News: “I was definitely hitting my stride. I hadn’t been that clear, ever.

“I was so focused and clear for that season. Unfortunately, I got hurt. Make no mistake about it – I’m still hungry.”

Carrington also spoke to Skurski about his year in St. Louis: “I got a little tweak in my quad around midway through the season.

“Chris Long had come back from his injury. … My coach tried to get me back on the field, but they needed numbers in other places.”

What was most impressive was his attitude towards the entire situation: “It’s a business first. Whatever the team needs me to do to win, I’m all for it.”

Hopefully, this mentality will help Carrington on his second-go-round in Buffalo. In fact, as if to illustrate his team-first, do whatever it takes approach, he set a team single season record for the Bills in 2012, with four blocked kicks.

In fact, the 2012 campaign was his best to date, with two sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble. For his professional career, the two-time First Team All-Sun Belt selection has four sacks, six passes defensed and 54 tackles.

Overall, Carrington is just happy to be back with the Bills, and looking forward to playing on this defense: “That’s the thing I’m most excited about is getting back into the room with those guys.

“Coach Karl Dunbar is there. I’m anxious to learn a lot of things from him, as well as the rest of the guys in the room.”

And make no mistake about it, head coach Rex Ryan will give him every opportunity to succeed: “Athletic. Big. Smart. Let’s bring him back here and see what he can do.”

Next: Ronald Darby makes good first impression with the Bills

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