As head coach Doug Marrone fills out his coaching staff, Buffalo's 13 unrestricted free agents, who all played a role in Buffalo this past season, are wondering where their futures might lie.
Buffalo's new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has likely begun reviewing and evaluating game tape of the Bills defense. One thing he'll probably notice is the takeaway ability of nickel linebacker Bryan Scott, one of those aforementioned free agents.
The longest tenured player of all the unrestricted free agents had possibly the best season of his 10-year career, from a playmaking perspective. He accounted for six takeaways with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Scott also ranked fifth on the team with 66 tackles with two forced fumbles in 16 games played. The former safety lined up mainly as a linebacker in the Bills nickel package and ended his season on a high note taking an interception for a touchdown against the New York Jets.
Scott, who last spoke on locker clean out day prior to the coaching changes admitted there was a different feeling in the locker room packing up for the offseason.
"It does (feel different), but from a player standpoint I've been here for six years and who knows what my future holds," Scott said. "This city and this organization has meant so much to me and seeing the resiliency of these guys. We've been through a lot of ups and downs. It does kind of hit home a little bit to think, 'Wow this might be it.' And also there's that disappointing feeling that if it is it you left not accomplishing what you wanted to accomplish."
The former Nittany Lion is no stranger to the free agent market. He was an unrestricted free agent at the end of last season, but the Bills re-signed him to a one-year contract.
The Bills originally picked up Scott off the free agent market on Sept. 1, 2007 after the Tennessee Titans released him at the end of the preseason that year.
Scott had a unique and specialized role as a nickel linebacker, but said he's a flexible player.
"It's been very good for me," said Scott on playing as a niche player. "In going forward I'm one of those guys it's whatever cap they need me to wear. Whether it's here or somewhere else, if they think I'm a better safety or need me to bulk up more to play linebacker it really doesn't matter to me. But my heart is in Buffalo."
Scott said he isn't real nervous about hitting the market himself.
"Changes take place every year in the NFL," Scott said. "It's one of those things where changes are going to be made. It's going to happen. I'm not concerned about it and I'm not worried about it because whatever is going to happen is going to happen. When the chips fall where they may you just kind of keep rolling with it."
After six seasons of playing in Buffalo, Scott said he'd prefer not to leave behind some of the relationships he's made.
"There's so much comfort with guys in this locker room on and off the field," said Scott on whether his teammates weigh into his thoughts on leaving. "This is a great locker room and there's disappointment all around because we haven't accomplished what we set out to accomplish.
"To be honest I don't want to go anywhere else because I want to see this thing through. I want to be able to see us succeed and give the fans something to cheer about. I've said that since day one."
