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Jeff Posey Released By The Bills
By Julie Smith

Jeff Posey, the linebacker who started 47 games during the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills was released on Monday, five days before their preseason opener.

Posey, who is a nine year veteran and will turn 31 years old next Monday, recorded 68 tackles and three sacks last season. He signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in February of 2003. Posey set career highs with 71 tackles and eight sacks in 2002 with Houston.

Posey's release was expected in a certain way since he was relegated during spring mini-camps following Crowell's emergence. Posey's practice time remained limited during the first nine days of camp.

Apparently Buffalo's new coach: Dick Jauron will use Angelo Crowell or Mario Haggan at the strongside linebacker position. Crowell demonstrated he was capable of being a starter last season, when he had the chance to fill in at middle linebacker Takeo Spikes. T. Spikes who is a two-time Pro Bowl selection suffered a torn Achilles tendon and he was forced to miss the final 13 games.

With Spikes ready to return, Crowell remained in the starting mix alongside middle linebacker

London Fletcher. The Buffalo Bills expectations on Crowell are so high that they plan for him to keep his spot at weak-side linebacker, switching Spikes to the strong side where he will play over the opposing team's tight end. Spikes played the strong side during his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Crowell's speed and ability to drop into coverage and provide run support is considered key for an outside linebacker in the Cover 2-style defense that was introduced by new coordinator Perry Fewell.

Jeff Posey entered the NFL in 1998 with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He used to play at Southern Mississippi while he was in college. Besides the San Francisco 49ers Posey also played for the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. His best season with the Bills was in 2003 when he had 64 tackles, 5 sacks and forced four fumbles.