The Bills announced Wednesday that they have released DE Marcus Stroud, a major disappointment for the team during his three seasons in Buffalo.

Acquired to be a physical presence on the defensive line and stop the run, Stroud was inconsistent and oftentimes ineffective — a big reason why the Bills ranked last in the league in rushing yards per game allowed and yards per rush allowed. He also failed to generate much of a pass rush, recording only 7½ total sacks in 46 games for the Bills.

The way we see it

Defensive end has been a major need for the Bills for a long time, and releasing Stroud magnifies that need even more. Torell Troup and Alex Carrington, who both were rookies in 2010, should see their playing time on the defensive line rise next season with Stroud out of the picture, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the team drafted another end to add to the mix.