THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Donte Whitner was so excited when Buffalo landed Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell on consecutive days this off-season, the Bills safety went out and celebrated with his friends back home in Cleveland.

It might have been early March, but Whitner was well aware of the potential impact two such veteran additions could make on a defence that was in much need of improvement, particularly up front.

"Yeah, I celebrated. We had some dinner, a couple of drinks," Whitner said. "Getting pieces like we picked up, that was big for us."

Perhaps, another round of celebrating is in order because Whitner's first impression hasn't changed after both players made significant contributions in making their debuts during a 34-10 season-opening win over Seattle last weekend.

"I love it. That's my first impression," a giddy Whitner said this week as the Bills prepare to play at Jacksonville on Sunday. "I'm excited about what we can do this season. ... We really believe that we're a good football team and we're going to win some games."

Stroud is a three-time Pro Bowl tackle, whom the Bills acquired in a trade with Jacksonville. Showing no signs of a nagging ankle injury that slowed him the past two seasons, Stroud was a force against the Seahawks, finishing with two sacks and six tackles and creating havoc up front.

Mitchell was no slouch, either. The linebacker signed by the Bills on the first day of free agency was credited with four tackles and a sack, in which he blew past the centre and brought down Matt Hasselbeck seconds after he took the snap.

Together, they were the featured parts of a dominating performance in which the Bills allowed 252 yards, the fewest since allowing 212 in a 21-0 win over Miami on Dec. 17, 2006, registered five sacks and forced 11 punts.

The Bills provided exotic looks on defence that confounded the Seahawks, which proved a big step forward for a defence that spent most of last season depleted by injuries and finished 31st in the NFL in yards allowed.

The differences are apparent, and the reasons simple: Adding Stroud and Mitchell, and welcoming back linebacker Paul Posluszny and Ko Simpson, two starters who missed most of last season with injuries, provide the Bills defence a new experienced-laden group to work with.

"There's no question we're better in positions this year," defensive end Aaron Schobel said. "When you have better players, you can do more. They're experienced and just gifted. All that pays off.".

Stroud, listed at six-foot-six and 310 pounds, immediately gives the Bills the bulk up front they've been missing since losing Pat Williams to free agency three years ago.

Against Seattle, Stroud took on two and sometimes three offensive linemen, allowing his teammates more freedom to apply pressure.

Schobel had a sack in which he looped around from his spot on the right side and burst through a big hole up the middle to get to Hasselbeck. Mitchell shot the gap after Seahawks centre Chris Spencer turned his attention to block Posluszny, who was also blitzing.

The constant pressure made it easier on the Bills defensive backfield to cover receivers one-on-one, because Hasselbeck had little time to throw in rhythm.

"It's fun," co-ordinator Perry Fewell said, referring to how much more he can do with a mostly full and healthy lineup. "You have guys that can execute, guys that can bring power. ... Now you're scheming different ways to match them up on certain people."

It's only one game, but defensive end Chris Kelsay is excited about what this defence is capable of this year.

"Hopefully, this is just the first of many to come," Kelsay said. "We aren't slowing down."