June Visits Buffalo

From Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News.com:

The Buffalo Bills took a close look Wednesday at Cato June, a player who seems like a perfect fit at linebacker.

They also lost out to Cincinnati on receiver Laveranues Coles, who may or may not have been a perfect fit. And they entertained DeShaun Foster, who would be a backup insurance policy.

The 29-year-old June has played all six years of his NFL career in the same defense the Bills employ. June spent his first four years with Indianapolis and won a Super Bowl ring with the Colts in 2005. Then he moved to Tampa and played for the Bucs the past two seasons.

“Defensively, their schemes fit me and fit me well,” June said of the Bills. “I think I could fit in well with the players that they have here. They’re on the brink of being a championship team, so to me that’s a great asset and a great way to continue my career.”

June was cut Feb. 25 by the Bucs, who changed coaching staffs and are shifting away from the Tony Dungy-style 4-3 defense. The Bills, Colts and Bears run the most comparable variations of that scheme, which emphasizes speed in the front seven and penetration and pursuit by the front four.

June had two years left on his Bucs deal and was surprised to get released.

“I guess I fit that bill of anyone over 29 had to get out of Tampa, and I was right on the border,” he said. “I hope everything works out for the best and everything happens for a reason. I’ll move on to better things.”

June, 6-foot and about 235 pounds, might be a tad small to play strong-side linebacker in some 4-3 schemes, but in the Dungy style he’s a perfect fit, because of his excellent mobility. He’s comparable to former Bill Angelo Crowell and bigger than the Bills’ strong-side starter last year, undersized Keith Ellison.

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