Our DEFENSE

by De-fense on Apr 30, 2008 5:01 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

After this draft, picking up three corners and the "top" prospect at the position, an edge rusher with potential, and the return of Posluszny, Ko Simpson, and our two new veteran acquisitions in Kawika Mitchell and Stroud. We have a defense that has very little holes going into the season.

I am just putting this out there to hear the rest of the Rumblers opinions on how we expect the defense to perform, at the very least within our division and what challenges will arise.

I'll start briefly:

Patriots: Bills have in many ways caused the Patriots to attack us one dimensionally as I feel our Run-D will halt Maroney and Faulk. Can our defense step up to their receiving corps si the big question and is the Cover-2 best designed to do this? In addition, will Stroud and a third year McCargo eat up enough blockers to help get pressure on the outside and even create lanes for blitzers?

I think we are balanced and I like where we're going, but we have to execute.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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It's still going to be a weak pass Defense

We still have a glaring hole at DE. The lack of a pass rush is still going to be prevalent this year even if we get a solid contribution from Ellis. With Schobel, Kelsay and Denney still going to be getting the majority of the snaps, we’re going to continue to see the mediocre pass rush we’ve been seeing for years. I know there was very little we could do about this, but I wouldn’t expect the new additions to have a significant effect on our pass rush. Next year DE better be our #1 priority.

I think our run D will be much improved. Assuming Stroud and Poz stay healthy, along with a better player in the lineup in Mitchell, we shouldn’t get pushed around like we have the past two seasons.

I’m just worried that 3rd downs are going to be a sore spot again…..

by Kurupt on Apr 30, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

Ellis

I think he could make a big difference in getting to the passer in a situational role. Remember, he was the fastest and quickest DE in the draft.

Another 3 rounds of starters in the draft?

by poz on May 1, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s not true. Five defensive ends (Cliff Avril, Vernon Gholston, Marcus Howard, Curtis Johnson and Quentin Groves) all timed faster in the 40. 4.71 is fast for an end, but it’s not phenomenal or anything.

by Brian Galliford on May 1, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

The D should be much improved

I have to dissagree with kurupt on our pass rush, as long as Stroud and McCargo can perform at a high level our edge rushers will get more one on one matchups and be much more productive. Kelsay had nagging injuries all last season, Denney was never right after coming back from his injury, and the tandem of Williams and Tripplett just wasnt gettin it done. Stroud at 90% is 110% better than Willams and McCargo needs to show more consistency of being the playmaker OBD thought he was when we traded back into the 1st to get him. Ellis should provide us with a Justin Tuck kind of guy, and should be a force in a year or two. But none of this matters if the offense cant sustain some drives. Constant 3 and outs on offense will wear this defense down, much like it did last year. Not saying our defense should of been great last year, but they got worse as the season went on.

by Baggz on Apr 30, 2008 11:42 PM EDT reply actions

Offense aside/Pass Rush

Keeping the performance of the offense out of the equation, whether the Bills have a pass rush will depend on execution, as I feel that if the players play well, we now have the talent to stack up to other offenses.
This hinges on performance and growth of young players. Whitner and McCargo in their third seasons will be big for Buffalo. If they improve, and everyone stays healthy we should be able to give New England’s offense some trouble. The talent is there, but now it is a full matter of execution if we stay healthy.

In my opinion, because the Jets and Dolphins do not have a solid starting qb (and some could argue the Bills don’t either, but i disagree) we are in direct competition with the Pats this season.

You can never have too many corners or ends.

by De-fense on May 1, 2008 12:15 AM EDT reply actions

An addition that seems to get overlooked in most defensive discussions is Spencer Johnson. I think this was a great pick up for the Bills and he could have as big an impact as any of our other acquisitions. He will be solid in the DT rotation and can chip in on the DE spot as well. Stroud, Mitchell, et al are wonderful, but don’t forget this guy. He will be a contributor.

by Blackthorn on May 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely

I may have forgot to mention him in the original post, but I see him as an upgrade over Triplett, and Triplett was our “starting” DT the past two years, and now Spencer should be our number 3, assuming McCargo improves as we all should hope. In fact, I believe that right now, all our DTs are better than Triplett including Williams. So that alone is reason to celebrate, plus the LBs, and the secondary. Did mention Coy Wire is gone? That alone, is a godsend.

Beat the Pats

by De-fense on May 1, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions