By Budd Bailey, Buffalo Sports Page Columnist
London Fletcher – Signed by the Bills in 2002
The Bills had hopes that Sam Cowart would sign a new contract with them in 2002. They offered him plenty of money and other incentives, but Cowart signed a six-year deal with the New York Jets instead. Buffalo needed a middle linebacker to replace him, and fast. Luckily, one was available.
London Fletcher had established a reputation as a tackling machine and a quality person while playing for the Rams from 1998 to 2001. Buffalo got a deal done worth more than $17 million over five years. It was a bargain. Fletcher had 730 tackles in 80 games as a member of the Bills, leading the team in that category each season. If you like your linebackers durable, well, he never missed a game in Buffalo. Cowart only started for two seasons in New York and left after Season Three.
Fletcher was 32 when his contract expired, and he left for the Redskins. Was he too old? No. Fletcher played seven years for Washington, and had 956 tackles. By the way, the veteran was 112 for 112 in games played for his new team. His contributions were appreciated, but it’s too bad Fletcher couldn’t have stayed for a longer time.
Here he takes a look back:
(Follow Budd on Twitter @WDX2BB)
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