BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 20, 2006) -- Craig Nall agreed to a three-year contract with Buffalo, believing the Bills will give him the best shot as a backup quarterback.
Agent Robb Nelson said he is completing terms of the deal that his client agreed to March 19. Nall, an unrestricted free agent, also was being pursued by Green Bay and Minnesota, Nelson said.
The Bills' starting job is up for grabs after journeyman Kelly Holcomb and J.P. Losman, the second of Buffalo's two 2004 first-round draft picks, were inconsistent in splitting duties last year. First-year coach Dick Jauron said he hopes to determine his starter by the beginning of training camp in late July.
Nall, who is expected to get a shot at competing for the No. 2 job, spent the past four seasons as Green Bay's third-stringer. His future with the Packers was further clouded after they selected Aaron Rodgers in the first round of last year's draft.
Nall, Green Bay's fifth-round pick in the 2002 draft out of Northwestern State, appeared in a career-high five games in 2004, finishing 23 of 33 for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He also made one brief appearance in 2003.
In another free-agent move, the Bills made a bid to sign Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. Idonije signed Buffalo's offer sheet March 18, his agent Da-i Ping said.
The Bears, who offered Idonije a one-year contract this offseason, have until the end of this week to match the Bills' offer. The Bills did not immediately confirm either move.
Idonije had one start in 11 games for the Bears last season. He played college in his native Canada and is familiar with Buffalo's new defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell, who spent last season as Chicago's defensive backs coach.
