BUFFALO —
Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore is ready to compete for a starting job, after the first-round draft pick signed a four-year contract worth about $12 million on Thursday.
The deal was announced by the team, and included Buffalo CEO Russ Brandon posting a photo on his Twitter account of Gilmore signing his contract.
"It's official," Brandon wrote. "Nice way to start the morning."
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Gilmore was drafted 10th overall after a three-year career at South Carolina, where he started all 40 games and was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection. The contract includes an option for fifth year.
The Bills have already opened room for Gilmore to take over after they released veteran starter Drayton Florence last week. And the signing came days after Gilmore got his first taste of the NFL in taking part in the Bills three-day rookie minicamp last weekend.
In four practices, Gilmore had several pass break ups and at least one interception while showing off his coverage skills. He was both fast on his feet in covering receivers deep, and also showed he's capable of bumping opponents coming off the line of scrimmage.
After the minicamp, Gilmore expected to have the contract completed by the end of this week, and is now happy to get it out of the way.
"I wasn't going to let it be a distraction. I wasn't really worried about it," Gilmore said in a statement released by the team. "I knew it was going to come through. Now I can just focus on football and do what I want to do."
Gilmore was the second cornerback selected in the draft, behind LSU's Morris Claiborne, who was picked sixth by Dallas.
The next step for Gilmore comes on May 29, when he will get an opportunity to line up against veteran receivers once the Bills open a monthlong series of minicamps.
"Oh yeah, I'm ready to see what the vets have going on," Gilmore said last weekend. "I'm going to play with confidence, and I'm going to still do what I know, and go from there."
Gilmore made a good first impression on coach Chan Gailey, who noted both the player's athleticism and confident approach.
Gilmore becomes the seventh of Buffalo's nine draft picks to sign with the team. The only players left unsigned are Buffalo's second- and third-round picks, offensive tackle Cordy Glenn and receiver T.J. Graham.
Gilmore is the latest addition to a defense that's been rebuilt this offseason, and to be overseen by Dave Wannstedt, who takes over as coordinator after George Edwards was fired in January. The Bills have already addressed improving their pass rush in free agency, when they signed defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in March.
The moves were made in a bid to improve a defense that allowed a franchise-worst 5,938 yards last season. Buffalo is coming off a 6-10 finish to miss the playoffs for a 12th straight year.
Sports
Related Photos
-
FILE - In this May 11, 2012, file photo, Buffalo Bills' Stephon Gilmore look so during NFL football rookie camp in Orchard Park, N.Y. Gilmore is ready to compete for a starting job, after the first-round draft pick signed a four-year contract worth about $12 million on Thursday, May 17, 2012. AP Photo
Bills sign top pick
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore accepts four-year, $12M deal
- Sports
-
-
Lockport bows out in VI softball
Lu Krawczyk’s clutch two-out, two-run single in the top of the sixth inning sparked visiting West Seneca West past Lockport, 2-1, in a Section VI Class AA softball pre-quarterfinal contest.
-
Wilson '9' beats previously-unbeaten City Honors on the road
Wilson’s Chris Reid and Mike Thompson combined for 11 strikeouts Tuesday as the No. 9 Lakemen knocked off previously-undefeated and top-seeded City Honors, 5-2, in a Section VI Class B-2 quarterfinal baseball game at McCarthy Park.
-
LHS lax teams ousted
Head coach Scott Reddinger’s Lions dropped a 9-5 contest at Lancaster, while head coach Colleen Byrne’s Lady Lions lost a narrow 12-11 game to visiting Orchard Park.
-
Lions' '9' wins NFL championship
It might not have been the prettiest Niagara Frontier League baseball win on record, nor the most convincing, but head coach Steve Styrzo’s Lockport Lions have written the book on strong pitching and timely hitting throughout this past season.
-
David Ragan revisited
What could Sunday’s Talladega winner David Ragan possibly have to do with Lockport and Western New York?
-
Lockport's Tolli is 3-time Patriot champ
Lockport native Caroline Tolli recently concluded one of the top all-around careers in Bucknell track and field history.
-
Together again
A Newfane family of four, dressed in Bills gear, was among the many who stopped by the Bewley Building to meet former Bills greats Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas.
-
Rampage preseason opener is Saturday
Lockport football fans are gearing up for the premier this Saturday afternoon of the city's newest semi-pro football team, the Lockport Rampage.
-
Barker's Hefferon signs for Seton Hill
Barker senior, Jessica Hefferon signed a National Letter of Intent recently to attend Seton Hill University on an academic and women’s field hockey scholarship.
-
Lord have Mercy
Lockport's Khari Demos will bring a variety of talents with him to Mercyhurst College this fall.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
