State of the Roster II: Bills Defensive Tackles

by Brian Galliford on May 25, 2008 9:22 AM EDT in Opinion

Stroud being counted on to shore up interior (Photo Source)

Prior to the 2008 NFL Draft - in fact, prior to the free agent signing period of this past March - we took a look at the Buffalo Bills' roster position by position, breaking down then-current personnel, finding holes, and building our community needs list.

Now that free agency and the Draft have been completed, and the Bills have infused their roster with new talent, it's time to repeat our process. Where has Buffalo gotten better? Where have they gotten worse? How will additions impact which Bills veterans remain on the roster? These are questions that we'll attempt to answer over the next week or so.

We continue those discussions today with an examination of Buffalo's defensive tackles. To view our previous discussions on Buffalo's DT situation (pre-off-season), bang it here.

John McCargo: After a rookie season that was severely limited by injury, McCargo was healthy for all 16 games last season and made strides in his second year - despite rather limited playing time. His 2.5 sacks were good for second on the team (hear that, Chris Kelsay?), and amongst last year's Bills defensive tackles, McCargo was easily the most explosive. He has the ability to penetrate a line quickly and make explosive tackles behind the line of scrimmage; he didn't do it often last year, however, because of the lack of talent surrounding him. That's expected to change in 2008, as McCargo elevates to the starting lineup.

Kyle Williams: The most underwhelming talent of Buffalo's top four tackles - a group that will be rotated heavily this season - Williams is yet another hard-working tackle that isn't a strong athlete, but never quits. He's got some power and a nasty streak up front, but he'll need to play much more consistently if he still wants to receive substantial playing time. You can't go wrong having a guy like this on your team, but Williams is very clearly the fourth tackle on this roster.

Jason Jefferson: He's stuck with the Bills for about two and a half years at this point, and it's hard to figure out why. Injuries have kept Jefferson on the roster, and while he's very clearly not a playmaker, he rarely makes mistakes. Jefferson has an uphill battle to make this year's roster with four guys ahead of him on the depth chart, but hey - he did it last year, too. I wouldn't be shocked to see him stick as a fifth tackle, especially considering the injury histories of McCargo and Marcus Stroud.

Corey Mace: Entering his second year, Mace spent 16 weeks on the practice squad as a rookie, was elevated to the active roster for Week 17, but was inactive. He'll likely compete with undrafted rookie free agent Teraz McCray for a spot on the practice squad once again.

The Additions: Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson, Teraz McCray
For the first time in a very long time, the Bills' significant off-season move was to pick up a legitimate, NFL starting-caliber defensive tackle. The last time the team did that was when they acquired Ted Washington. Stroud hasn't been the "Stroud of old" for a couple of seasons now as he's dealt with injuries, but he still represents a significant upgrade over Larry Tripplett for this team. Stroud adds a dimension of power to Buffalo's interior line with the ability to play either the 1-technique or the 3-technique, but the trick for him will be to stay healthy in '08. If that happens, he'll have a good season.

Johnson, who appears to be strictly a 3-technique tackle and possibly a swing end on run downs, is a stellar athlete who is looking to emerge from the shadows of Pat and Kevin Williams in Minnesota. He is quick and explosive, and figures to see most of his time on pass downs. He'll factor into the rotation heavily, and he'll definitely give McCargo a run at the starting job next to Stroud as well. This was an excellent signing.

The Subtractions: Larry Tripplett
Signed in the off-season of 2006, Tripplett never evolved into the playmaking tackle that the team signed him to be. Granted, he wasn't awful (well, he was pretty awful against the run), but the occasional QB pressure and gift play (see: INT vs. Washington) does not a starting defensive tackle make. As a new member of the Seattle Seahawks, Tripplett will return to Buffalo in Week 1 of the '08 NFL season.

Pre-Season Outlook: Of any position on the Bills roster, defensive tackle has easily seen the biggest changes this off-season, both in terms of personnel and talent variety. By shedding Tripplett and adding Stroud and Johnson, the Bills now have four defensive tackles who can play either the 1-tech or 3-tech spots, get after the passer, and (hopefully) stop the run. This group is more athletic, more powerful, and better gifted at penetration. There's a lot riding on this group. If they're not up to the task, the team may be forced to go back to the drawing board once again. But as it stands now, a failure from this group isn't very likely. I'm excited to see this unit get on the field this fall.

Change: Power and depth.

As always, your thoughts and opinions on this analysis are welcome and encouraged in the comments section.

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Comments

Am I the only one

who’s still very nervous about the state of the position???

I like the group on paper and from what their potential may be, but I’m still not convinced we’re going to be that much better here.

I’ll start with Stroud, easily the biggest question mark of the group and maybe of the whole Defense. He’s mentioned that his ankle is still not 100%, which really makes me skeptical. The fact that Jacksonville dumped him so quickly after there seemed to be no complaints coming from him also worries me. I guess it was time for both sides to part ways, but Jacksonville had little hesitation in trading him. I really hope he’s 100% soon and stays healthy while returning to his Pro Bowl form (or close to it). We need it. Unfortunately, I’m unconvinced of it happening and am VERY worried about him going forward.

Spencer Johnson was a solid addition, but is nothing more than a rotational backup. If he has to start or play significantly on run downs inside, I think we’re in trouble, again.

I love McCargo and love the energy and plays in the backfield he provided last year. Again, I’m worried about him staying healthy for 16 games. Foot injuries always seem to return, let’s hope that’s not the case here. I like the potential of him and Stroud as a HEALTHY starting duo. That could be a very quick, impactly duo with a bunch of plays in the backfield. Please, stay healthy guys!!!

Kyle Williams is the hardworking, blue collar type we love, but we’re again in trouble if he needs to start and play significantly for any reason. I was hoping to have brought in a draftee to challenge Williams for playing time, but obviously the staff was happy with this group and feels there’s no reason to believe they’ll miss time due to past injury concerns.

With (my) injury concerns for our starters and backups without much size, I am very worried that one injury would derail this whole group. I wish we had drafted another DT, someone with size, to compete for a 4th or maybe 5th DT position. We need more guys who can hold up in the run game and I don’t think Johnson and Williams are those type of players. I just hope we aren’t forced to use them in to many run situations this year. I’m still pretty surprised we didn’t bring in another DT via the draft. I would have much rather taken a later round DT than another RB or CB….

by Kurupt on May 25, 2008 11:19 AM EDT 0 recs

Read the article on Stroud

that you posted K…. And wish they gave a clue as to where the comment on Stroud’s ankle came from, since it’s not in quotes, or attributed to any source.. Likewise, reading through the Bill’s reports on their OTAs, I see no mention of him being limited….
I’ve posted before, that I live virtually up the street from Athens Ga, where everyone follows the Dawgs, both past and present, and have seen or heard nothing but about Marcus except that he’s highly excited, and motivated about this move to the Bills… Also, while I can’t claim “insider info”, I have been assured by a former classmate of his, that still stays in touch with him, that he is healthy again, and we should see Stroud with his “swagger” back this year, and may be stronger than ever before…
Take it for what it’s worth, but I look forward to watching Stroud et all, wreck havoc this year….

by Cinga on May 25, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

DT

Stroud is a gamble, but it was a gamble Buffalo had to finally take. For two years, Jauron covered for the front office’s failure with a story that his defense did not require a run stuffing DT and for two years, Buffalo couldn’t stop the run whatsoever. I honestly began to believe that Jauron was just plain ignorant of what we all were watching each week, but by proactively adding Stroud in the first weekend of player movement, it appears that Jauron knew all along that he didn’t have two starting caliber tackles in 2006 or 2007. I believe the hole at tackle was the primary reason why the overall defense wasn’t close to good enough in Jauron’s 1st two years. Stroud’s injury issues are a concern, but I tend to trust in the advancements of sports medicine and 30-year-old (legitimate) All Pro lineman don’t grow on trees. I honestly believe that the Stroud addition is the most encouraging Bills player annexation since hitting on Paup, Washington, and Spielman back in ‘95 and ‘96. Cutting Tripplett and adding Spencer Johnson was only icing on the cake. I believe McCargo is ready to live up to his pedigree and now Kyle Williams is in a reduced role where he becomes an asset rather than a massive liability. I’d make this move 20 times over and if Buffalo finally gets over the hump next year it will be because of two factors: Stroud/McCargo outperforming Williams/Tripplett and the ‘08 version of Trent Edwards putting his miserable play from ‘07 in the rear view out of the blue. Steve Fairchild wasn’t the main problem last year, bad personnel was (it’s counterproductive to continually blame external factors and any Bills employee who happens to leave each offseason for this awful decade). After two seasons of basically using the offseason to do nothing more than plug the holes of player defections and thus, perpetually treading water, Marcus Stroud is Buffalo’s 1st real stab at improvement since the Jauron regime took over…I’m hopeful it will pay off.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 25, 2008 9:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Stroud should be fine

It takes about a year and half to 2 years to recover from Microfracture knee surgery, and those who have had it on their ankles take about the same length of time. One name for everyone to remember: Amare Stoudemire. Anyone remember him struggling the past two seasons after he had the knee procedure, but hey, 2 years afterward he was tearing up the NBA hardwood again like nothing had happened, and the year before he was solid even though not spectacular again before this season.

Does this mean Stroud will have as good a recovery? Don’t know, but the Docs at OBD signed off on him being healthy (and the Jaguars owner may actually be cheaper than Wilson btw guys so take the trade with a grain of salt from their end). So I think that since Marcus is coming into his second season post surgery, I think he will be better than thought, though not back to Pro-Bowl level yet.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on May 26, 2008 3:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Microfracture surgery

Stoudemire’s not the same athlete he used to be. His recent success has been aided by his improved jump shot. Granted, he can dunk on guys occasionally, but it’s apparent he lacks the explosion he once had. He’s had to learn to play smarter and Stroud may have to do the same. Also, Stoudemire had to have surgery on his other knee after the microfracture surgery becasuse he was overcompensating. Microfracture recovery success is much better when the area treated is less than 15mm. Stoudemire’s was less than that. I’m not sure what Stroud’s was, and I can’t find that information. We can be sure the Bills know, and they’re probably not concerned with Stroud’s ability to recover. Microfracture is done by removing old damaged cartilage and making small holes in the bone to allow the blood in the bone to grow new cartilage in a joint to prevent pain. The thing about the new cartilage growth is that it is scar tissue based and less elastic and weaker than the original cartilage. Therefore, it will wear out quicker.

Now, that said, ankles are not the same as knees and football is not basketball. Stroud’s carrying around some extra weight which won’t help. Whether Stroud can play at a competitve level will remain to be seen. Chances are good that he can still play well, but how much healing he has had in the joint will determine how much pain he has to play in. He will have an extended career because of the surgery but his durability is certainly an issue to be monitored.

by jj24 on May 26, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up 0 recs