ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Aaron Maybin wouldn’t let himself believe his long wait to sign with the Bills was about to end until he boarded a plane bound for Buffalo.
A few hours after taking off from Baltimore on Friday morning, the Bills’ top draft choice stood at a podium and expressed his delight after signing a five-year contract that includes about $15 million in guaranteed money.
“Ecstatic, overjoyed, whatever you want to call it, that’s me,” said Maybin, a defensive end selected 11th overall pick out of Penn State. “I’ve been smiling from ear to ear for the entire day, man, ever since I got off the plane.”
The deal was reached exactly four weeks after Bills players reported to training camp, and a week after the two sides had reached an impasse, causing concern that Maybin might not arrive soon enough to be ready for Buffalo’s regular-season opener at New England on Sept. 14.
his teammates in the locker room before they left for Green Bay for a preseason game on Saturday. Maybin didn’t make the trip and will report to practice on Monday.
Maybin will have missed 24 practices and three preseason games since training camp opened July 25. The Bills have two preseason games left: At Pittsburgh on Aug. 29 and at home against Detroit on Sept. 3.
“There’s a lot of catching up that I have to do. But we still have three weeks to go,” Maybin said. “I’m really excited about getting back out there, getting back on the field. And I think I’ll be fine.”
Bills officials were not available for comment because they were already headed to the airport when the deal was reached.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Maybin is a fast and aggressive pass-rushing specialist, expected to immediately help a defense that registered 24 sacks, finishing in a tie with Washington for fifth-fewest in the NFL last season. The Bills believe he’s versatile enough to eventually play linebacker, too.
After sitting out his first year at Penn State as a redshirt freshman, Maybin entered the draft after two college seasons and without a full season as a starter.
Though he played 13 games last season, Maybin didn’t take over as a full-time starter until the fourth week. But he led the Big Ten with 12 sacks and was voted a first team All-American.
ft picks unsigned: Offensive tackle Andre Smith, selected sixth overall by Cincinnati; and receiver Michael Crabtree, who was drafted 10th by San Francisco.
Maybin said he worked out regularly while waiting for the deal to be reached, and noted it wasn’t easy knowing the Bills were practicing without him.
Just as difficult for Maybin was having to defend himself against critics in the media, on fan Internet sites and those who tweeted him, questioning why he hadn’t signed. Two weeks ago, Maybin announced on his Twitter page that he was no longer going to post messages until a deal was done.
“As frustrating as it all is, you really don’t let it get to you,” he said. “You really try to let things work themselves out. And all you can really focus on is making sure that you’re ready to contribute when the time comes.”
Maybin unveiled a new haircut in honor of the deal.
Cut into the right side of his hair were two numbers: 58, the one he’ll wear this season; and 78, in a tribute to former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this month. Cut into the left side of his hair was the Bills logo of a running Buffalo.
Maybin laughed when asked whether the logo meant he won’t require a helmet.
“Hey man,” Maybin said. “I’m a tough guy, but not that tough.”
In other moves, the Bills released defensive lineman Ventrell Jenkins from the injured reserve list, and waived defensive back Antwain Spann.
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