The Bills gave him a four-year deal worth a reported $27.5 million, $8 million of which is guaranteed (The move reminds me of the departure of Tully Banta-Cain following his productive 2006 season, when the 49ers gave him a hefty free agent contract that he was unable to fulfill).
Anderson produced 10 sacks for the Patriots last season, and along with Andre Carter, who also had 10, became the first New England duo to get double-digit sacks since Hall of Famer Andre Tippett and Garin Veris in the mid-1980s. Anderson's productivity was anomalous, however. He hadn't been that effective since his rookie year with Chicago in 2006. And having given a significant raise to Banta-Cain after he earned 10 sacks in his return to New England a few seasons back, the team may have been reluctant to repeat history with Anderson.
Meanwhile, several reports indicated that RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis has agreed to a three-year contract with Cincinnati. Even if Green-Ellis had returned to New England, 2011 rookies Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen were likely to push the veteran for playing time this season. It wouldn't be at all surprising, either, if the Patriots select another back in the draft next month.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have added veteran cornerback Will Allen to the roster, according to multiple reports (blogger Bryan McIntyre was first with it). It appears to be a one-year contract, valued at just under a$1 million, for Allen, who has previously played for the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. The 33-year-old was the Giant's first-round pick in 2001 and could provide some much-needed depth and competition at the corner position for New England in 2012.
