Marcus Stroud showed the Buffalo Bills he could help make a big difference on their defense last season. The Bills showed Stroud their appreciation by giving him a new contract last month.

So it’s no surprise Stroud is in a great frame of mind as the team conducts spring practices.

“Like I said when I first got here, I want to come up here and be successful and play good,” Stroud said this week. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me, and apparently the Bills do also. They rewarded me, and I’m ready to get out here and play hard and earn it.”

Stroud still had two years remaining on his contract, but the Bills rewarded him with a two-year contract extension, locking him up through 2012.

“This is a great organization,” Stroud said. “I did my part and they stepped to the plate and kept their word and did their part. . . . I feel like we’re an up-and-coming team. This is the place I want to be and try to help be a part of a new breed.”

The seeds for the extension were planted last spring when big defensive tackles Kris Jenkins of the Jets and Shaun Rogers of the Browns changed teams and negotiated new deals. While Stroud went from Jacksonville to the Bills in a trade last March, he was coming off two injury-shortened seasons. He was not in position to strike a new deal until he proved he was fully recovered from ankle trouble that hindered him with the Jaguars.

Stroud played all 16 games, and the Bills’ defense improved from 31st to 14th last season.

Stroud’s deal is the ballpark with those of Rogers and Jenkins. Stroud was scheduled to make $3.5 million this year and $6 million in 2010. His new deal is worth $29 million over the next four years. A total of $12 million is guaranteed, and he will make $16 million over the next two seasons.

Jenkins got a five-year deal a year ago reportedly worth $35 million, with $20 million guaranteed. Jenkins had the best year of the defensive tackles last season. Rogers got a six-year, $42 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.

“Definitely I’m not a guy who tries to go out and get overpaid or make a big ruckus about it,” Stroud said. “But it feels good to be paid along with the guys who you feel like you’re comparable to.”

Stroud acknowledged the Bills had indicated to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, when they traded for him they would update his deal at the appropriate time.

“Drew did his job as an agent but at the same time it’s a testament to Russ [Brandon] and John [Guy] to want to do the things to keep me here and get things done,” he said referring to Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon and Vice President of Pro Personnel John Guy.

The addition of Terrell Owens is a big reason Stroud is optimistic about the team’s chances.

“The T. O. factor definitely helps,” Stroud said. “As you see he’s a presence out here on the field, and just his presence makes everybody out here play a little bit harder.”

If the offense can improve from its 2008 ranking of 25th, the defense will have a better chance to upgrade from 14th. The Bills’ run defense ranked 12th at midseason last year but slumped to 22nd by season’s end.

“First it starts with the defense,” Stroud said. “We have to play better ourselves. If we can play better it gives the offense more chances to be more productive. It’s a two-way street.”